Careers in Social Work

Corporate Careers

Social workers in corporate positions should possess:

• The ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, strategic planning skills.
• Strong administrative management knowledge, including a well-developed financial foundation.
• Strong presentation skills, an ability to project confidence, and the ability to think on your feet.
• Well developed computer skills in Internet use, word processing, and data base, spreadsheet, scheduling, and fundraising programs.
• A thick skin. The supervision may be more direct and critical in nature than in typical social work settings. Your are expected to contribute to the bottom line; you may have to sell.
• Tremendous endurance (the hours can be long).

Social Workers can gain valuable experience relevant to consulting by:

• Identifying and accessing internship opportunities in corporate settings.
• Accessing field placements working in or with private for-profit companies.
• Volunteering to secure training, build special skills, and broaden background.

Search for work suggestions:

• Networking and reputation are key to your job search.
• Concentrate on using the web for information. Do not expect a tremendous response to e-mail or web applications alone. Follow up with personal contacts.
• Become involved in professional organizations and activities that expose you to the corporate community or non profit consulting. (TIP: Go to special interest events and business card exchanges at the Chamber of Commerce and other member organizations.)
• Develop a thorough rationale why a social worker with a Master's degree is a good choice for a consulting position. Emphasize the transferability of social work skills, for example:
  • interpersonal skills --> relationship-/team-building
  • individual/group/system assessment --> strategic planning
  • problem solving --> negotiating/mediation
  • social administration --> budgeting/development
• Plan to describe concisely the breadth of the social work field, you concentration, and to dispel common myths.
• Explain why you would be a good match for the position available by utilizing examples of your relevant accomplishments. Understand and practice communicating why you should be hired.

prepared by the Core Group of the Career Development Directors in Social Work Education, 7/99