The University of Maine Presque Isle’s Student Organization of Social Workers will host graduate school representatives from the University of New England and the University of Maine at their regular meeting times during the spring semester.
Susan Reisman (Kaye), MS, MBA, Split Cohort Coordinator, with the University of Maine, will present on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wanda Anderson, LCSW, Coordinator of Online Field Education and Clinical Associate Professor, with the University of New England MSW Program, will present on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held in the Campus Center, Room 118.
“SOSW is an ever-changing blend of networking, learning, serving and having fun,” Shirley Rush, UMPI BSW Program Director, said. “Our student organization works in many ways to give back to the community while fostering professional development on campus—including activities such as advocating for safety through the Take Back the Night event in the fall—and offering grad school information sessions like this is another important way we do that.”
Social work is a profession concerned with promoting the well-being of people and includes assisting individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to achieve life-enhancing goals. The profession is especially concerned with the advancement of economic and social justice. The BSW program at UMPI is nationally accredited with the Council of Social Work Education as are the MSW programs at UNE and UM. Although a completed Bachelor’s degree is required to apply for graduate school, the degree may be in a number of related fields.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2015 Edition, employment of social workers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2012-2022, faster than the average for all occupations.
Commonly, UMPI students graduating with a BSW have relevant employment lined up before they leave campus. In the past three years, most UMPI BSW students have moved directly into their employment at the close of the school year.
Many BSW holders choose to continue their education at the Master’s level. UMPI BSW alums have gone on to complete Master’s degree programs at UNE and UMaine, and further afield at institutions such as Columbia University in New York City.
Both presentations are accessible, free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Rush at 768-9427. For more information on how to become a social worker, visit http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-4. To see the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (section on Social Workers), visit http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.