Guidebook Offers Advice for Social Workers at all Career Stages

Publications

By Paul R. Pace

Social workers appear better at advocating for others than themselves and struggle to articulate their own value to the field, say the authors of a new NASW Press book, “The Social Work Career Guidebook.”

The text can help readers identify career-defining moments that social workers can be proud of, and that help differentiate themselves from their colleagues.

The authors, who have decades of experience leading career services offices in top-tier social work schools, break down the stages of career development and provide tips, easy-to-access exercises, and resume and correspondence samples.

The authors are Jennifer Luna, MSSW; Cindy Snell, MEd; and Michelle Woods, LMSW, clinical and macro practice.

The strategies and exercises included in the book are beneficial to social workers at all stages of their careers, whether pursuing a degree or planning their next career move, the authors noted. The text is not meant to be read through and then put aside, but to be used as a guidebook to engage with throughout the career, the authors said.

“This guidebook can be beneficial to individual readers, and also advisers, faculty and supervisors who can use the interactive exercises to engage small groups in discussions focused on defining career interests, setting professional goals, and writing persuasive application materials,” they said.