|
Careers in Social Work
Economic Development
Social workers in community development roles often engage in economic
development activities.
Where might a social worker work who is interested in economic
development?
- Economic development councils, departments, corporations
- Government or politics
- Extension services
- Banking, financial institutions
- Foundations
- Micro-enterprise development programs
- Redevelopment corporations
- Housing organizations
What might the job title be?
- Director of economic development
- Project manager/officer/Project associate
- Project administrator
- Executive officer
- Community development specialist
- Director of special projects
What are some of the job functions of a social worker in economic
development?
- Prepare economic development plans for and market underinvested
neighborhoods
- Recruit business and industry, address tourism, and work on retention
of business and industry
- Oversee preparation of abandoned sites: clear titles, deal with
environmental issues
- Promote and provide technical assistance on micro enterprise
- Advocate and facilitate home ownership and insurance coverage
- Teaching economic and business skills including money management
- Staff public/private partnerships, facilitate groups
- Write grants
- Manage public relations
Social workers in economic development should possess skills in:
- Evaluation of community assets and barriers to improvement including
formal and informal systems
- Management and finance relative to land use, home ownership, small
business development, banking, and loans
- Consensus-building with community coalitions, grassroots groups,
public/private collaborations
- Counseling, consultation, and technical assistance
- Group facilitation and training/Leadership development
- Policy development that integrates social and economic development
efforts
- Communication, information, and referral/Media relations
What personal characteristics should a social worker in community
development have?
- Ability to facilitate the shaping of a vision for the community
- Skill in establishing trust in order to gain acceptance in the
community
- Positive, upbeat attitude
- Patience and organization with attention to detail
prepared by the Core Group of the Career Development Directors in Social
Work Education, 7/99 |
