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Question:
Hello.

I'm a licensed social worker who's looking to make a career change back into human services. I specialized in advocacy, organizing, and agency management but have been in the corporate world for the past 40 years. If there are any recommendations for how to get "involved," either on a volunteer or part-time salary basis, I'd appreciate any recommendations.

Thanks.
Richard Head, LMSW
Answer:

Hi Richard,
Thank you for visiting the Community Tool Box and Ask an Advisor. You present an interesting issue that I'm sure will resonate with many of our other visitors. Although the Community Tool Box doesn't provide resources on career transitioning (or should I say re-transitioning in your case) or career advice more generally, from having been in career flux myself from time to time throughout my career I think you're spot on in considering volunteering or part-time work as a way of transitioning from the corporate sector to the human service sector, although I'm not necessarily sure either are necessary (you can skip to the end as to why I think this way). I'm sure you realize that in the ensuing 40 years things have changed in the social work field, but more importantly the opportunities for those who hold an LMSW have expanded exponentially as well including public health, school social work, child welfare, mental health, substance abuse. A couple of thoughts. First, I would, if you haven't already join (or simply visit web sites if you don't want to spend a small fortune on membership dues) professional organizations in or related to your field (e.g., NASW, SSWR, CSWA, etc.) to get a sense of the zeitgeist in terms of the current research and trends just to inform your thinking, and what further accreditation you might need. Second, and more importantly if volunteering or part-time work are what you seek I'd sort out the human service agencies in your area (including research centers and institutes at colleges/universities), make a list of those of greatest interest (i.e., their mission, clientele/constituency, and scope of work resonate with you), look for staff members with similar if not the same credential as you and who are doing what you're interested in doing, and then contact them to set up informational interviews just to chat about what they do, why they do it, how they got into the position they're in, and their perspective on what's happening in the field. I might also visit the United Way as they always seem to have their finger on the pulse of the human service sector and might be able to available in terms of jobs or volunteer opportunities. Okay, these are the obvious activities and I'm sure you've already thought this through so I'm likely preaching to the choir, but Richard I honestly think that you already have a skill set that will translate really well into a human service position, and I suspect that going from the corporate sector to the human service sector will be easier than the other way around. If you decide to go an informational interview tour as due diligence you'll get a much better sense of how the skills you've developed in the corporate sector fit in the human service sector; might not be a bad place to start, then again.... Finally, although you asked for specific advice about volunteer or part-time work as a way of transitioning from one sector to another I don't think either is necessary because you already have a desirable skill set. It then becomes a matter of applying for positions of interest and convincing whoever that if they want x, y, and z that you've already done x, y, and z, but in a different sector. So, in sum: join professional organizations or access web sites, take an informational interview tour, talk to the United Way, or apply for positions of interest and show them how what you did in one sector translates to another sector. Again Richard, from my perspective your thinking is clear and correct on doing volunteer work or engaging in a part-time position, but it may not be necessary unless you don't feel comfortable going on interviews or applying for positions just yet. With that I thank you for bringing this issue to our attention and we hope that our advice was helpful. If not, please feel free to visit us again and we'll work with you until we come up with a solution or better advice, whichever comes first! Take care, be well, and remember, you're never alone.
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Question Date: mar, 04/19/2016