Learn the 5 things that every social work graduate should know. Find out how to get the best results out of graduating in social work and get a plan together for your future career path. Learn about 5 year plans, recognizing when a job is the best fit for you, tips on getting licensed and how to best network socially with your peers. Therapist Development Center is a center dedicated to helping future social workers prepare for exams, develop their future careers, and continuing education opportunities. Learn more about them in this great blog post http://blog.therapistdevelopmentcenter.com/blog/5-things-every-social-work-graduate-should-know

1. 5 STEPS TO PREPARE FOR GRADUATING IN
SOCIAL WORK

2. STEP 1
Always write down your goals.
“Goals are the fuel in the furnace of
achievement.”

3. THE FIVE YEAR PLAN
– WRITE DOWN
YOUR GOALS
Your plan should
include:
•A harmonious mix of
what is important
outside of your career
as well.
•It is always important to
consider how personal
life will mesh with the
career side of things as
well.
•There is always the
option of getting help
with creating your five
year plan.
This will be your guide to your
future
The goals should outline the kind
of path you see your self on
Take some time to identify what is
important for you to accomplish,
start with the simple steps like:
Getting licensed
Becoming a supervisor
Making a specific amount
of money
Etc.

4. STEP 2
Know that Your First Job Won’t Be Your
Last Job
Think of it as mainly a learning experience

5. YOU WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT YOURSELF IN
THE FIRST 5 YEARS OF YOUR CAREER THAN AT
ALMOST ANY OTHER TIME
This is the time to learn
your skills, likes and
dislikes.
What environment do
you like to work in?
Take notes on the kind
of leadership that drives
you and is supportive
rather than punitive.

6. STEP 3
•Never Stop
Learning
-The journey of
learning has just
begun

7. ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND…
- School is just the tip of the iceberg
- You will learn more through hands on, so
go ahead and challenge yourself
- Pick a topic in your emphasis and
research it with other of the same interests
- Understand that taking on more cases, will
only give you more experience

8. STEP 4
Get Licensed!

9. WHY DO YOU NEED
YOUR LICENSE?
QUESTIONS TO ASK TO
GET THE PROCESS
STARTED
You have to have your
license in order to
advance to supervision
More and more jobs
require it before even
hiring
It can mean a pay
increase - upwards of
20% in most states
You will have more
opportunity
What is required to get
started?
How many hours of
clinical work are
necessary?
How many hours of
supervision are needed?
Any prerequisites
necessary?
In order to accrue
numbers, do you have
first become an intern?

10. STEP 5
Start Networking

11. NETWORKING IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
This should be an intermediate step in your 5 year
plan
If you are just graduating, take advantage of the
relationships you have developed over the years –
make a list of 10 people to stay in touch with
Keep your network diverse – you don’t want to
compete with fellow social workers
Try to have everyone in your list add an additional
person each month to your networking list
Remember, if people need a social worker, they will
want someone they know

12. RECAP
1. Write down your goals – 5 year plan
2. Remember your first job won’t be your last
3. Never stop learning
4. Get licensed
 Visit Therapist Development Center here for
more information on state requirements
5. Networking is the key to your success