Discussion 2: Contemplating Your Future

Discussion 2: Contemplating Your Future
The NASW Code of Ethics makes a number of statements about social workers’ responsibility to study, use, and engage in research and evaluation. In the past, many social workers had difficulty thinking of themselves as knowledgeable and capable in research, despite completing the required research course in school. Think of yourself as a part of a new breed of social workers. You are completing your education at a point in time that places great emphasis on both research and evaluation. You also have greater access to published research than ever before. Research knowledge and skills are like muscles—if you do not use them, they will atrophy. You have an ethical obligation as a social worker to exercise and flex your research muscle. Consider how the NASW Code of Ethics guides your professional research.

 Post an analysis of how you can apply new knowledge and skills related to research and evaluation, acquired in this course to your future career.
Identify specific knowledge and strategies and how you intend to apply them.
Identify those skills that you believe will be most applicable to achieving your future goals.

Contemplating Your Future Reference:

Hendricks, G., & Barkley, W. (2012). Necessary, but not sufficient: The McKinney-Vento Act and academic achievement in North Carolina. Children & Schools,34(3), 179–185.
Law, B. M. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2011). Process evaluation of a positive youth development program: Project P.A.T.H.S.Research on Social Work Practice,21(5), 539–548.
Mallett, C. A. (2012). The school success program: Improving maltreated children’s academic and school-related outcomes. Children & Schools,34(1), 13–26.
Reupert, A., Foster, K., Maybery, D., Eddy, K., & Fudge, E. (2011). ‘Keeping families and children in mind’: An evaluation of a web-based workforce resource. Child & Family Social Work,16(2), 192–200.

Discussion 3: Future Career Goals
What are your short- and long-term professional goals? Do they include moving into a leadership and management position? Transitioning from clinical to administrative roles is not uncommon in social work practice. It is useful, however, to think about relevant skills, knowledge, and professional experiences that will prepare you for the transition. In addition, you should consider the personal benefits and challenges of assuming a leadership role.

Post your thoughts about your future career goals, your interest in moving into leadership or management positions, and the benefits and challenges of a social work administrator’s role.

References:

Gothard, S., Carnochan, S., Regan, K., Samples, M., & Austin, M. J. (2012). Becoming a manager in nonprofit human service organizations: Making the transition from specialist to generalist. Mack Center on Nonprofit and Public Sector Management in the Human Services. School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved from http://mackcenter.berkeley.edu/assets/files/articles/Becoming%20a%20Manager%20Final%20Draft%20Jan%202012.pdf

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