Information for Future and Current Social Work Students
Meet Current Students
Martin Tidd
Why major in social work?
"I have spent the majority of my life in services geared toward helping others. I started out as a firefighter when I was 19 years old then shifted into law enforcement when I turned 21. Doing those things exposed me to a lot of problems within our system and made me want to do something that had a more proactive relationship with the people needing services than what I had been providing. That's what led me to work at Job Corps. After being injured in the Army and getting the opportunity to go to College, I figured this was my best chance of working directly with the people needing services the most. My plans include getting my Masters and working with Veterans. I know how much I needed help after my experiences and I want to be there for the veterans, just as there was someone for me."
What is your favorite class and why?
"Without a doubt, my favorite class has been SOCWK 200 "Basic Skills for Working With People." The hands on application of the skills learned in the classroom are priceless. It was amazing to me how quickly we were discussing serious, real emotional events in our lives. This, to me, is what Social Work is all about."
Who is your favorite professor and why?
"I respect them all, but I have to say that my favorite professor, so far, has been Dr. Cauble. To me, she epitomizes what a Social Worker should be. She is intelligent, but doesn't come off as arrogant. She genuinely cares about the students success and teaches in a way that is easy to understand. You can look at her face and see the seriousness of whatever the subject is, but she also knows how to laugh and enjoy the teaching experience."
What has been your best experience at K-State?
"I think the best experience I have had is working with so many talented, caring and thoughtful young people. They have changed my opinion of what young people are all about. There are many things they could all be doing that would make them better off financially, or have a higher status in many circles, but they have chosen to be Social Workers. I'm proud of every one of them for their commitment to their fellow human beings."
Why major in social work?
"I have spent the majority of my life in services geared toward helping others. I started out as a firefighter when I was 19 years old then shifted into law enforcement when I turned 21. Doing those things exposed me to a lot of problems within our system and made me want to do something that had a more proactive relationship with the people needing services than what I had been providing. That's what led me to work at Job Corps. After being injured in the Army and getting the opportunity to go to College, I figured this was my best chance of working directly with the people needing services the most. My plans include getting my Masters and working with Veterans. I know how much I needed help after my experiences and I want to be there for the veterans, just as there was someone for me."
What is your favorite class and why?
"Without a doubt, my favorite class has been SOCWK 200 "Basic Skills for Working With People." The hands on application of the skills learned in the classroom are priceless. It was amazing to me how quickly we were discussing serious, real emotional events in our lives. This, to me, is what Social Work is all about."
Who is your favorite professor and why?
"I respect them all, but I have to say that my favorite professor, so far, has been Dr. Cauble. To me, she epitomizes what a Social Worker should be. She is intelligent, but doesn't come off as arrogant. She genuinely cares about the students success and teaches in a way that is easy to understand. You can look at her face and see the seriousness of whatever the subject is, but she also knows how to laugh and enjoy the teaching experience."
What has been your best experience at K-State?
"I think the best experience I have had is working with so many talented, caring and thoughtful young people. They have changed my opinion of what young people are all about. There are many things they could all be doing that would make them better off financially, or have a higher status in many circles, but they have chosen to be Social Workers. I'm proud of every one of them for their commitment to their fellow human beings."
What is Social Work?
- Social Work is a dynamic, changing, and challenging profession with a vast array of career options and rich opportunities for deep personal satisfaction.
- Professional social workers are experts who help people obtain the resources they need to live with dignity.
- Social workers are also committed to making society more responsive to people's needs.
- Social work's historical mission has been helping the disadvantaged, those who have been excluded from participation in the ideal of a just and equitable society.
- Contemporary social workers also assist people from all walks of life, with all kinds of problems, in all kinds of settings--rich, poor, black or white, young or old, in hospitals, at home or at work.
- Social work is a profession for those with a spark of idealism, a belief in social justice and a natural love for working with people.
- Social work offers a person a career with the chance to work with and for people of all kinds and needs.
Julia Snyder
Why major in social work?
I decided to major in social work because it would give me a good foundation for working with people in my ultimate occupation as an Occupational Therapist. Social work is a very versatile occupation that is a strong career choice or a strong foundation to build upon another career.
What is your favorite class and why?
So far, my favorite class has been Basic Skills for Working with People because I learned several useful ways of interacting with people that I can use in my career and everyday life.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
I have enjoyed working with all of the professors. Each professor in the social work program is fantastic in their own way. I like the administrative staff (Dr. Cauble and Janice Dinkel) because they listen to students and act when necessary. Dr. Kurtz is a great professor for Welfare and Policy because he is straightforward and not afraid to talk about controversial subjects. Mr. Lockett is very personable, fun, and an overall great teacher. Kim Morgan is a good professor because she is very flexible with the schedule and fair. Dr. Gibbons is a good professor because he is very knowledgeable about all aspects of social work.
What has been your best experience at K-State?
I have had too many great experiences at K-State to choose just one--I love the atmosphere and the people.
Why major in social work?
I decided to major in social work because it would give me a good foundation for working with people in my ultimate occupation as an Occupational Therapist. Social work is a very versatile occupation that is a strong career choice or a strong foundation to build upon another career.
What is your favorite class and why?
So far, my favorite class has been Basic Skills for Working with People because I learned several useful ways of interacting with people that I can use in my career and everyday life.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
I have enjoyed working with all of the professors. Each professor in the social work program is fantastic in their own way. I like the administrative staff (Dr. Cauble and Janice Dinkel) because they listen to students and act when necessary. Dr. Kurtz is a great professor for Welfare and Policy because he is straightforward and not afraid to talk about controversial subjects. Mr. Lockett is very personable, fun, and an overall great teacher. Kim Morgan is a good professor because she is very flexible with the schedule and fair. Dr. Gibbons is a good professor because he is very knowledgeable about all aspects of social work.
What has been your best experience at K-State?
I have had too many great experiences at K-State to choose just one--I love the atmosphere and the people.
Jenna Norton
Why major in social work?
I become a social work major in the spring semester of 2008 during my third year at KSU. I feel that I have finally found a major that works for me. I have always wanted to help people in need. The social work program has shown me how to be an effective helper and the skills needed to be a social worker. I continue to learn new things every day and can't wait to use the skills I have learned on my future career path!
What is your favorite class and why?
If I had to pick one, I would pick Basic Skills- Working with People. This class has shown me how to be an effective listener and empathetic. This class is relatively new and I think is a great addition to the social work program!
Who is your favorite professor and why?
Truly, all of the professors I have had through the social work program have been amazing. My favorite is Kim Morgan. I had Human Behavior in the Social Environment I with her. That was one of the first social work classes I took. She is an amazing teacher, great with students and easy to talk to.
What has been your best experience at K-State?
Before I came to K-State, I was a very shy person. I didn't talk to anyone unless they talked to me first. I'm not sure what it was about college, but somehow I stopped being shy and came out of the shell I was in. I love that I have met new people with different and interesting ideas that I might not have thought about before.
Why major in social work?
I become a social work major in the spring semester of 2008 during my third year at KSU. I feel that I have finally found a major that works for me. I have always wanted to help people in need. The social work program has shown me how to be an effective helper and the skills needed to be a social worker. I continue to learn new things every day and can't wait to use the skills I have learned on my future career path!
What is your favorite class and why?
If I had to pick one, I would pick Basic Skills- Working with People. This class has shown me how to be an effective listener and empathetic. This class is relatively new and I think is a great addition to the social work program!
Who is your favorite professor and why?
Truly, all of the professors I have had through the social work program have been amazing. My favorite is Kim Morgan. I had Human Behavior in the Social Environment I with her. That was one of the first social work classes I took. She is an amazing teacher, great with students and easy to talk to.
What has been your best experience at K-State?
Before I came to K-State, I was a very shy person. I didn't talk to anyone unless they talked to me first. I'm not sure what it was about college, but somehow I stopped being shy and came out of the shell I was in. I love that I have met new people with different and interesting ideas that I might not have thought about before.
Why Should I Major in Social Work?
WHY MAJOR IN SOCIAL WORK?
- You want a good job and one that “makes a difference”
- You like to help people, see them grow and change in positive ways
- You want a degree that offers maximum flexibility in the job market
- You want a professional degree – one that prepares you for a position as a professional social worker
- You like to get out of the office and meet people, no sitting around for you!
- You believe that everybody deserves a chance at a better life and you want to help them have it
- You have been told that you are a great listener and helper and want to make a career out of what you do well
- You like to learn about others’ ways of thinking and behaving
- You are interested in different cultures and ways of life
- You like being around kids
- You like being around older adults
- You like being around teenagers
- You like being around middle-aged adults
- Basically, you like people and believe in the value of helping others to “be all that they can be”
Where do Social Workers Work?
- Wherever there are people, there are social workers to be found.
- They are in hospitals, working everywhere from the obstetrics unit to intensive care.
- There are social workers in the schools, helping children, teachers, and parents cope with a variety of problems.
- They work in mental health clinics and in psychiatric hospitals.
- There are social workers in the public agencies, from the employment office to the social services unit.
- Every private family service agency has social workers helping with everything from counseling to finding housing or transportation.
- Social workers are deeply involved in child welfare, providing essential foster care and adoption services. They are increasingly in the work place, helping employees solve personal problems and employers resolve personnel problems.
- There are social workers in the universities, teaching and doing research.
- There are social workers helping the elderly and helping military personnel and their families.
- They are in private practice, helping people of all ages cope with problems of daily life. Social workers are administrators of large government agencies as well as heads of philanthropic organizations.
- Social workers are increasingly elected to public office, from the local town council to the state legislature and even to the U.S. Congress.
- A useful way to see the social worker's role is as "the professional in the middle." On one side are the individual families with their concerns; on the other, the community and its resources.
- The social worker goes back and forth between the two--assessing, understanding, developing relationships, counseling, coordinating, mobilizing, and initiating--helping people build their own lives and helping the community create and deliver the services and supports that many people sometimes need.
- Considering Social Work as your major? Check out our Social Work Study Guide and the Social Work Student Handbook (located above) to find out more about possible careers, the major, field experience and curriculum.
- Join our K-State Social Work Facebook Group to find out more about the major, ask questions to former students and connect with others interested in social work.
- Thinking of joining an on-campus organizations? Consider the Social Work Organization.
- Interested in the College of Arts and Sciences? Find out more here.
- If you have any questions about our program or how to apply please feel free to contact our Program Coordinator, Janice Dinkel, at 785-532-4980 or [email protected]
Fun Classes in the Social Work Major
Looking for some fun classes to take that relate to the social work major? Look into taking SOCWK 200 or SOCWK 510!
SOCWK 200 Basic Skills for Working with People
Interested in helping people? Want to improve your listening skills so that you can be the best helper/friend/family member possible? This class introduces you to the communication skills necessary to work effectively with people and allows you to practice them with your peers in the classroom environment. Students complete workbook and group exercises throughout the semester as they develop their communication skills. This class is required for social work majors and admission to Tier 1 of the social work program. It is also useful to all others working in any capacity, such as bankers, accountants, medical professionals . . . everybody!
SOCWK 510 Social Welfare
Interested in how the social welfare system works in the United States?Concerned about social justice and injustice?Interested in the history of social welfare and how our country provides for people in need?Like to work in groups and practice your presentation skills?This course helps students to analyze the present-day philosophy and the functions of social welfare in the United States.Students are engaged in group work, class presentations and lively discussions as they look at the past and present systems of social welfare.
SOCWK 200 Basic Skills for Working with People
Interested in helping people? Want to improve your listening skills so that you can be the best helper/friend/family member possible? This class introduces you to the communication skills necessary to work effectively with people and allows you to practice them with your peers in the classroom environment. Students complete workbook and group exercises throughout the semester as they develop their communication skills. This class is required for social work majors and admission to Tier 1 of the social work program. It is also useful to all others working in any capacity, such as bankers, accountants, medical professionals . . . everybody!
SOCWK 510 Social Welfare
Interested in how the social welfare system works in the United States?Concerned about social justice and injustice?Interested in the history of social welfare and how our country provides for people in need?Like to work in groups and practice your presentation skills?This course helps students to analyze the present-day philosophy and the functions of social welfare in the United States.Students are engaged in group work, class presentations and lively discussions as they look at the past and present systems of social welfare.
K-State Information
Interested in the College of Arts and Sciences? Find out more here.
For more information about student life at K-State, check out the K-State Future Students page.
Transferring to K-State from another school? Get information here about becoming a transfer student.
Visiting Campus? Find us on the Campus Map.
Have questions about K-State? Check out the FAQ's page.
For more information about student life at K-State, check out the K-State Future Students page.
Transferring to K-State from another school? Get information here about becoming a transfer student.
Visiting Campus? Find us on the Campus Map.
Have questions about K-State? Check out the FAQ's page.