Transitioning from Social Work Student to Licensed Social Worker

At this time of year, many newly graduated social workers are taking their freshly minted BSW and MSW degrees on the job market for the first time. Most new social workers completed field work placements as part of their degree, but working as an intern is different from starting a new full time job.

When you’re going on the job market for the first time, it’s important not to get intimidated. Follow these tips, and you’ll be hitting the ground running as a confident, employed social worker in no time.

1. Make a plan.

You have the social work degree now, but what do you want to do with it? It’s time to make a career plan. Social workers can do a variety of jobs, ranging from clinical work to program management to community organizing and public policy. In your studies, you’ve been exposed to working with a variety of populations and different kinds of work, so you might have a good general idea of what you want to do. If not, try exploring different career options by talking to other social workers about their jobs.

Once you’ve decided on the kind of job you want to do, it’s time to make a plan for your professional development. Consider where you want to be in your social work career in 5, 10, and 25 years. What do you need to do in the meantime to meet those career objectives? Look for work and professional development opportunities that will get you there.

2. Get and stay connected.

Professional networking is one of the best ways to gain support in your new profession. Other social workers can help you navigate your new job, provide mentorship, and guide you to career development opportunities. Look for professional organizations, such as your local chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, who offer these kinds of opportunities. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your new coworkers, either.

Stay connected to your old university program as well. Particularly if you plan to live and work near your school, your program can help connect you to job opportunities, mentors, and social events for alumni. The might also be able to point you to a mentor who previously graduated from your program.

3. Ask for help.

When you start your new job, there will be a lot to get used to. You’ll be doing the job of a full social worker instead of an intern. You’ll be expected to serve clients, keep up with paperwork, and attend meetings.

Asking for help at your first job will make the transition easier. Managers and coworkers are generally happy to support a new social worker succeed. Seek out people who are genuinely looking to help rather than those who have ulterior motives. You’ll also want to observe the company to learn more about how the culture works. Watching coworkers, you can learn how they work with clients, what they do to ensure they comply with paperwork, and how they manage agency relationships.

4. Maintain your work-life balance.

A full-time job requires more of a time commitment than being a student. You’ll be at work most of the day, which makes it all the more important that you find a way to take care of yourself and enjoy family and personal interests when not on the job. When the offer for your first position comes in, find out what hours you’ll usually work, and make a general plan of how you’ll spend your free time.

As social workers, we want to serve our clients, but doing so effectively requires taking care our ourselves first. Maintain strong professional boundaries, and wait until you’re on the clock again to handle client or other professional matters. On the job, don’t be afraid to set boundaries with your time as well.

Best wishes to all the new social work graduates on starting their career as a licensed social worker. We’re excited to have you here!