Students from across the social work curriculum gathered in October to hear alumni speak abou their entry into the job market and subsequent careers in macro social work. Kathy Tran ('03), Tisha Fowler ('02), and Doua Thor ('02) initiated the event because they feel that macro social work options are broad, and alumni input can supplement the School of Social Work's career service resources. Event sponsors included the Nonprofit and Public Management Center, the Office of Student Services, the Student Union, and individual faculty members Michael Spencer, John Tropman and Mieko Yoshihama.
Tran, a Presidential Management Fellow in the U.S. Department of Labor, believes events like this assist current students with navigating the job market. "It is extremely valuable to know your options," said Tran. "Current students may have an idea about what they want to do after graduation, but might not be aware of all of the options." Throughout the evening, she and her colleagues addressed four key areas: increasing social work students' knowledge of career possibilities in macro social work, including fellowships; leveraging skills in the job market; exploring the role of executive leadership and providing resources for job searches. Tran assembled a panel with diverse experience and advice, including alumni working in social policy, management and community organization spanning the federal, county and city levels.
"If you are going to become a community organizer," said Angela Lee ('03), the project director for Flint Area Citizens to End Racism, "learn to write grants and get to know funders while you are still a student. This will help you once you get out into the field."
Princess Currence ('03) addressed the entrepreneurial approach to social work. Currence is the executive director and co-founder ofKuumbaWorks, Inc., a Michigan nonprofit that partners with educational community-based organizations to develop customized cost-effective programs for "at-risk" youth. She is also the principal, consultant, and corporate trainer at Currence Solutions, LLC. Currence encouraged social work students to take elective courses in business. "Don't be afraid to work in a for-profit," added Currence, "a lot of businesses have a direct affect on non profits, you can learn a lot by working for them."
Another panelist, Beth Powell, a legislative correspondent for Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), emphasized networking, a reoccurring theme throughout the evening. She remembers receiving names and contact information for individuals in Washington D.C. from a SSW faculty member as she began her search for policy jobs. These contacts and her field instruction were two experiences invaluable to landing her job with the Senator.
Fellowships are another career starter, said Doua Thor. A New Voices Fellow at Hmong National Development (HND), Thor is a policy advocate at HND. She has learned a lot as a community organizer through the New Voices program. "A fellowship gives you an opportunity to do something for a short period of time without being at an entrylevel position," said Thor. "You can use this experience to grow and build on your skills and knowledge."
Jose Melendrez, who works at the Detroit-focused Healthy Lifestyles Research Project at the SSW, told future graduates that integrity and commitment are important attributes of social workers. "This is important for several reasons," said Melendrez, "including the fact that people in the field look to graduates from the U-M School of Social Work for leadership and guidance."
Additional panelists were David J. Martineau ('OO), U-M Social Work adjunct lecturer, and Annette Rook ('02), management analyst, Washtenaw Community Development Department.
- Jennifer M. Acree graduated in April '05 with a concentration in Management in Human Services and a minor in Social Policy and Evaluation. She is a member of the Nonprofit and Public Management Student Advisory Board and the Recruitment, Admissions and Financial Aid Committee.