Why Recruit at CUSSW?

A world-renowned Ivy League institution based in New York City, Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW) has a rich history as the oldest and most renowned institution in the United States and boasts an impeccable record of academic excellence and an extensive roster of distinguished alumni and faculty. Intellectual creativity, publication productivity, and leadership in research and education have distinguished our faculty and the School.

CUSSW students are a select, sophisticated, and ambitious group. With an average age of 27, CUSSW students often have several years of professional experience in a variety of fields. Our students are diverse and come from across the world, representing 37 states and over 40 countries. Nearly 25% of our population identifies as students of color and more than 10 percent of our students are international students. Armed with an outstanding education and well-integrated professional experiences, they are well prepared to assist you in a variety of fields.

Columbia University’s School of Social Work has an innovative curriculum that is aimed at preparing exemplary professional social workers. It is designed to produce versatile, multi-talented social workers, who can address needs and emerging issues within contexts ranging from individual services to policy innovation, from community organizing to resource development. The curriculum design provides students with a strong foundation in policy, practice, research, and ethics while enabling them to specialize in one of four practice methods and one of seven fields of practice.

Practice Method Concentrations

Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice
Advanced Generalist Practice and Programming
Policy Practice
Social Enterprise Administration

Field of Practice

Aging
Contemporary Social Problems
Family, Youth, and Children's Services
Health, Mental Health, and Disabilities
International Welfare/Services to Immigrants & Refugees
School-based and School-linked Services
World of Work

Columbia University School of Social Work students and alumni are well-prepared for the challenges of the modern workplace and are eager to make a difference in their professions. Graduates learn an array of transferable skills and competencies that enable them to be an asset to any organization and make a difference in the workplace, in society and in the world.

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving/Research Understand the Steps Involved in Critical Thinking

Define the problem and identify possible causes
Anticipate problems before they occur
Recognize if a problem needs to be addressed
Formulate questions to clarify problems, topics or issues

Deploy Tools for Effective Problem-Solving

Develop plans to implement solutions
Multi-tasking: ability to handle more than one problem at a time
Identify range of solutions and select most appropriate ones
Facilitate group members in identifying and evaluating possible solutions

Develop Methods for Conducting Successful Research

Identify appropriate information sources for problem solving
Use a variety of sources of information
Apply a variety of methods to test the validity of data
Conceptualize future needs and find solutions to meet those needs

Verbal and Written Communication Present Ideas Cogently, Creatively and Effectively

Present ideas in a concise, logical and persuasive format that can speak to both targeted and broader audiences
Communicate in a range of media: speeches, articles, presentations, etc.
Participate effectively in group discussions
Discern and respond to verbal and non-verbal messages
Respond appropriately to both positive and negative feedback
Discuss important and controversial issues with tact, sensitivity, and insight multiple industries.

Decision Making/Teamwork Identify the Practices and Dynamics of Successful Teamwork/Team Building

Identify, prioritize and delegate tasks to be accomplished
Motivate others to work towards a common goal
Facilitate group participation in the decision-making and planning process
Coordinate tasks and progress of group members
Use appropriate management/mentoring skills with peers and/or subordinates
Recognize members’ strengths and weaknesses to build an effective and cohesive team
Give constructive feedback and praise for accomplishments

Enterprise Leadership Understand the Practices of Effective Leadership

Evaluate all options and make effective decisions even when under time pressure
Take responsibility for decisions
Evaluate the effects and effectiveness of a decision
Explain unpopular decisions to others in a clear but sensitive manner
Use creativity, initiative and flair to stimulate ideas and develop effective solutions
Deal effectively with resistance and setbacks
Develop self-awareness, self-confidence and independence

Diversity/Global Perspectives Appreciate People's Diverse Backgrounds, Interests, and Opinions

Able to work effectively with people from different backgrounds and perspectives
Read and speak a foreign language
Are flexible, open to change and willing to compromise
Help people make the most of diverse opinions and interests
Appreciate different viewpoints and cultural perspectives
Recognize contributions from different areas of the world in the arts, literature, science and social science
Able to respond appropriately to continually changing circumstances

Socially-Responsible Orientation/Educators Driven to Make a Difference through Academia, Research, Government and Non-Profits

Able to work effectively with a broad range of people including clients, elected officials, volunteers, donors and local civic leaders
Possess demonstrable personal integrity and business ethic
Committed to promoting change and new ideas
Possess strong interpersonal and networking skills
Able to make decisions that increase both the individual and the common good
Self-motivated to tackle demanding tasks and willingly offer to get involved
Possess the stamina and tenacity to see a project through to completion

Demonstrate Effective Teaching/Training Skills and Techniques

Able to explain and demonstrate complex and abstract ideas effectively
Are patient, persistent and motivated to bring out the best in others
Can evaluate and appraise others’ work and skills objectively
Able to cope with stress and remain calm under pressure