Hearing it from the Pros: Students Engage with Social Workers in Career Panel
Trent University Durham hosts social work career panel discussion and networking event
“We get the unique privilege to serve and help other people. We get to learn from every person we meet and it can really be a rewarding career path,” said Nicole Perryman, one of the social work professionals who sat on a social work career panel at Trent University Durham on November 4.
Setting out to give students an opportunity to network with professionals, ask questions, discover different career paths and hear advice on how to secure a role in their field post-graduation, the social work career panel allowed students of any discipline to explore the social work profession. Four professionals, all with different backgrounds, each pursuing a unique path, sat on the panel and brought their own pieces of advice for students on the job application process, internships, self-care in the field and pursuing further education.
“The career panel is an important part of sharing the experience,” noted social work Professor Tara LaRose, who both ran the discussion and organized this event. “It is a great opportunity to hear firsthand from workers in the field about the rewards and realities of practicing social work.”
“As a first year student I am still struggling to know where I want to go after my degree,” said Clare Brownm a Bachelor of Social Work student at Trent. “Presentations like this help to introduce you to the profession, see my options and hear what it is really like in the field.”
Understanding the importance of career exploration, alongside developing academic skills, Trent University Durham aims to provide students access to a variety of experiential learning opportunities, whether through panel discussions and networking events, internship opportunities or on-campus jobs.