Call for Submissions: 101 Things to Do with a Social Work Degree
My colleague, Dr. Melanie Sage and I are excited to invite submissions for our upcoming book, tentatively called 101 Things to Do with a Social Work Degree. This book aims to showcase social workers’ diverse and impactful roles across various settings. We seek contributions in English from social workers actively practicing or utilizing their social work degrees in traditional or unique settings at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
Ideal Contributors:
We are looking for social workers who:
- Hold a social work degree (BSW or MSW) and have several years of real-world experience.
- Represent various specializations within social work, coming from diverse demographics, geographical areas, and work settings.
- Are engaging storytellers who can vividly articulate their experiences and connect with readers.
- Are innovators or leaders who have introduced new approaches or made notable impacts in their field, or are champions of their chosen path.
- Are reflective practitioners who can thoughtfully analyze their experiences and draw meaningful insights.
- Are passionate advocates committed to their work and the broader goals of social work.
- Are ethical professionals who can discuss navigating complex ethical situations in their work.
- Are lifelong learners who have grown and adapted throughout their career.
- Are collaborative team players who highlight the importance of interdisciplinary work in social work practice.
- Are forward-thinkers who can provide perspective on the future of their specialization and social work in general.
Submission Requirements:
Each contributor will be allocated two pages in the book. Please include the following information in your submission:
Your Information:
- Name: (As printed in the book – first, last, or pseudonym as you prefer)
- Name (for editors):
- Email address (for editors):
- Phone number (for editors):
- Mailing address (for editors):
- Years of Experience
- Credentials/Licenses that You Have
- Are Any Required for the Role?
Job Information:
- Descriptive Job Title: (e.g., Child Welfare Social Worker vs. Social Services Specialist III)
- Organization Type: (Government, Non-profit, For-profit, Outside social services)
- Setting: (School, Clinic, Hospital, etc.)
- Brief Work Description
- Typical Tasks
- Typical Client or Community
- Best Resource to Learn More About This Work: (Website, book, etc.)
- Salary Range for Someone with Your Level of Experience:
Detailed Questions:
Please respond to the following questions within the specified word limits:
- How did you land this job, and what skills, abilities, or personality traits make you a great fit for this role? (100 words)
- Briefly describe a typical day in your role. Think about who you see during the day, the types of meetings you have, and what types of paperwork you do. (150 words)
- What do you like best about this job? Think about activities, people, things that make you smile or feel good at the end of the day. (100 words)
- What do you like least? Consider things you put off, dread doing, or wish were different or should change about where you work. (100 words)
- What social work courses, mentors, self-learning, training, or continuing education have most benefited you in this position? How do you keep up your knowledge and skills for this position? (100 words)
- Share a memorable experience that illustrates the impact of your work. Consider the positive outcomes for the client or community, personal success, or how you operationalized social work values. Be as specific as possible. (200 words)
- How has this career path evolved since you entered it, and where do you see it going in the future? Think about what skills people would need if they were trying to get this job now, what they should do before applying, what emerging skills are of high interest to your workplace. (150 words)
- What advice would you give to social workers interested in pursuing a similar path? (100 words)
- How are you able to advocate for equity, fairness, anti-racism, and belonging in your role? (100 words)
- What’s your current favorite book?
- What’s your current favorite album?
- What’s your favorite place to visit, and why?
- What do you do to take care of yourself?
- What does your workplace do to take care of staff?
- What’s your best self-care tip?
- Anything else you would like to share? (200 words)
Writing Tips:
- Avoid social work jargon. Write clearly and use language that a general audience can understand.
- Use active voice to make your writing more engaging and direct.
- Infuse your responses with personal investment and experiences. Show your genuine interest in and connection to the job.
- Draw from real-world experiences only. Specific examples and anecdotes are more compelling than general statements.
- Make your answers vivid and detailed. Help readers visualize your work and experiences.
- Use AI tools for editing, but ensure your authentic voice remains prominent throughout your responses.
- Fully AI-generated responses or those lacking an interesting narrative may not be selected for publication.
Ethical Writing:
- Follow social work values and ethics when writing your post – integrity, social justice, competency, etc.
- Be generous to other social work scholars, practitioners, and students.
- Provide citations, references, acknowledgments, and links where appropriate. We use APA style for in-text citations and a reference list.
- Strive for intellectual honesty, balance, and accuracy in your writing.
Audience:
Our target audience includes people with BSWs or MSWs looking for other jobs, people considering getting a social work degree, and second-career individuals transitioning from fields such as teaching, vocational rehab, or other disciplines.
Submission Deadline:
Please submit your responses by September 1, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.
Submit here: https://bit.ly/101SWKDegreeBook.
We look forward to your contributions and to showcasing social workers’ diverse and impactful work!
Sample Response for a Hospital Social Worker in a Children’s Oncology Unit:
Name: Jane Smith (pseudonym)
Descriptive Job Title: Pediatric Oncology Social Worker
Agency Type: Non-profit
Setting: Hospital
Years of Experience: 7
Credentials/Licenses: LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
Are Any Required for the Role?: Yes, LCSW is typically required
Best Resource to Learn More About This Work: Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers (www.aposw.org)
Salary Range for Someone with Your Level of Experience: $65,000 – $85,000 annually
How did you land this job? I knew I wanted to work with children, but I didn’t think I could work with children who were sick. However, during my MSW internship at a pediatric hospital, I realized how the resilience of young patients facing serious illnesses deeply moved me. After graduation, I applied for positions in pediatric healthcare and was fortunate to secure a role in the oncology unit where I interned. The combination of supporting children through challenging treatments and helping families navigate the complexities of care aligned well with my passion for making a difference in critical moments of people’s lives.
Briefly describe a typical day in your role. My days are diverse and fast-paced. I start by reviewing new admissions and checking in with the nursing staff about any overnight developments. Throughout the day, I conduct psychosocial assessments with new patients and their families, providing emotional support and helping them understand the treatment process. I facilitate support groups for parents and siblings and coordinate with the medical team to ensure comprehensive care plans. A significant part of my role involves connecting families with resources – whether it’s financial assistance, accommodation for out-of-town families, or educational support for patients. I also spend time providing support to patients one-on-one, helping them cope with their diagnosis and treatment. Toward the end of the day, I often have team meetings to discuss patient progress and plan discharges.
What do you like best about this job? The most rewarding aspect of my job is witnessing the incredible strength of the children and families I work with. Seeing a child smile despite their circumstances, or helping a family find hope in a difficult situation, is incredibly fulfilling. The patients I see do things all kids do- play games on a tablet, visit with friends, tell jokes. I also love the collaborative nature of the work – being part of a multidisciplinary team where my input really matters. The opportunity to support families through their entire journey, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond, allows me to form meaningful connections during one of the most difficult experiences a family can imagine.
What do you like least? The emotional toll of the job can be challenging. Witnessing children suffer and sometimes lose their battles with cancer is heart-wrenching. It’s difficult not to take these experiences home, and maintaining emotional boundaries while still providing empathetic care is an ongoing challenge. Additionally, the bureaucratic aspects of healthcare can be frustrating, especially when trying to secure resources for families quickly. Navigating insurance issues can be time-consuming and feels like it takes away from direct patient care. However, overcoming these challenges to help families is ultimately part of how I can provide families with the best support.
How does your social work education specifically contribute to this position? My MSW education provided a good foundation. The clinical skills I learned, such as assessment techniques and therapeutic interventions, are crucial in supporting patients and families through their cancer journey. My training in systems theory helps me consider the whole family unit and broader support network when developing care plans. The emphasis on cultural competence in my MSW program is important in working with diverse families. My classes in social welfare policy help me navigate healthcare systems and advocate effectively for my patients’ needs.
What MSW courses, mentors, self-learning, training, or continuing education have most benefited you in this position? How do you keep up your knowledge and skills for this position? The grief counseling courses from my MSW program. I’ve also benefited greatly from mentorship by senior oncology social workers at my hospital. I attend conferences hosted by the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers and attend webinars when I can. I host a monthly peer supervision group with other social workers to discuss challenging cases and share resources.
Share a memorable experience that illustrates the impact of your work. One experience that stands out was working with a 12-year-old patient, Sarah, who was struggling with depression during her long treatment. I introduced her to the art therapist, which became a powerful outlet for her emotions. Over time, Sarah’s mood improved significantly, and she began gifting her art to other kids on the unit. Seeing her transform from withdrawn to confident was rewarding and exemplified the potential for growth even in challenging circumstances.
How has this career path evolved since you entered it, and where do you see it going in the future? When I started, the focus was primarily on supporting families through treatment. Now, there’s a growing emphasis on survivorship care and long-term follow-up. We’re also seeing more integration of complementary therapies like art and music therapy and mindfulness. Looking ahead, I anticipate more focus on telehealth services to support families remotely, especially for follow-up care. There’s also increasing attention to the mental health needs of siblings and parents. Future social workers in this field will likely need skills in digital health technologies and a strong understanding of the long-term psychosocial impacts of childhood cancer.
What advice would you give to social workers interested in pursuing a similar path? Gain experience working with children and families, perhaps through internships or volunteer work in healthcare settings. Develop strong clinical skills, especially in crisis intervention and grief counseling. Be prepared for emotional challenges and prioritize self-care. Stay current with medical knowledge related to pediatric oncology. Think outside of social work literature—I attend a lot of general oncology healthcare conferences and meetings.
How are you able to advocate for equity, fairness, anti-racism, and belonging in your role? I work to ensure all families receive equitable care regardless of their background. This includes advocating for interpreter services, culturally appropriate care plans, and addressing disparities in access to clinical trials or support services. Not everyone believes in medical models of treatment, so sometimes, it means including traditional healers in the care plan. I also connect families with culturally specific support groups and resources in the community. One of my important roles is translating between families and medical staff, both for cultural needs and English explanations.
What’s your current favorite book and why? “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi. This memoir resonates with my work experiences. Kalanithi’s reflection on life, death, and meaning as both a doctor and a terminal cancer patient offers insights that help me better understand and support my patients and their families. The book’s exploration of maintaining hope and finding purpose in the face of mortality aligns closely with the challenges I help my young patients and their families navigate. It serves as a reminder of the human side of medicine and the importance of compassionate care, which are central to my role.
What’s your current favorite album? “Folklore” by Taylor Swift. “Folklore” offers an escape and emotional release after intense work. I love the storytelling, which helps with my own need to process emotions. Many of my teenage patients enjoy Swift’s music, so it also helps me connect with them on a personal level. Songs like “Epiphany,” which touches on healthcare workers’ experiences, feel particularly relevant. The album’s overall tone is of resilience and finding beauty in difficult times.
What’s your favorite place to visit, and why? The beach. The sound of waves and the vastness of the ocean helps me find perspective and peace.
What do you do to take care of yourself? I practice yoga regularly, journal, and have a standing monthly dinner with close friends where we have a “no work talk” rule.
What does your workplace do to take care of staff? We have access to free counseling services, regular team-building activities, and a quiet room for staff to decompress during challenging days.
What’s your best self-care tip? Set clear boundaries between work and personal life. When I leave the hospital, I have a small ritual of changing my clothes and taking a few deep breaths to mentally transition out of work mode.
Anything else you would like to share? I’ve learned that healing comes in many forms – sometimes, it’s helping a child find joy during a difficult day, other times it’s empowering a parent to advocate for their child’s needs. For those considering this field, know you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives during their hardest moments. The skills you’ll develop are invaluable and transferable to many areas of social work. This career has made me appreciate my health more but has also taught me that people can enjoy life in a lot of different situations.
The fine print:
- Grant of Rights: You grant the editors and publishers of “101 Things to Do with a Social Work Degre” (hereafter referred to as “We” or “Us”) the worldwide, irrevocable right to use, edit, adapt, publish, translate, and distribute your contribution in any format or medium, whether now known or hereafter developed.
- Editorial Discretion: We reserve the right to edit, modify, or omit any part of your contribution as we deem necessary or appropriate. We are not obligated to publish your contribution in whole or in part.
- Warranties: You warrant that your contribution is your original work, does not infringe on any third party’s rights, and that you have the full right to grant us these permissions.
- Compensation: No Monetary Compensation: You understand and agree that you will not receive any monetary compensation for your contribution to “101 Things to Do with a Social Work Degree.”
- Consideration: As consideration for your contribution, if accepted, you will receive one (1) free electronic copy (e-book) of “101 Things to Do with a Social Work Degree]” upon its publication. This e-book is for your personal use only and may not be resold or distributed.
- Ownership: While you retain the copyright to your original work, you agree that we may use your contribution as described above without additional compensation or attribution beyond what is provided in the published work.
- Release: You release us from any claims related to our use of your contribution as permitted by this agreement.
By submitting your contribution, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms.
How to cite:
Hitchcock, L.I. & Sage, M. (2024, August 20). Call for Submissions: 101 Things to Do with a Social Work Degree. Teaching & Learning in Social Work. https://laureliversonhitchcock.org/2024/08/20/call-for-submissions-101-things-to-do-with-a-social-work-degree/
