Jobs, jobs, jobs!
In my personal (not scientifically verified) experience, most individuals leaving Wurzweiler, (without prior non-profit work experience) are absolutely overwhelmed by the prospect of conducting a job search. Some of our graduates have the luck to be in the right place at the right time and are offered positions by their first or second year field placements. However we all know that it is unrealistic to anticipate that field placements will have the financial resources or that the personal chemistry will such that a job offer will come across the table. The most important job searching tool most graduating MSW's will leave their job with is a few good professional contacts.
Today I received a call from a recent May 2007 graduate and I want to share some of her naches with you. This graduate did have the good fortune to get a job upon graduation. The practice opportunity seemed to be exactly what she wanted. However after a few short weeks she discovered that the fit wasn't quite right.
As a recent graduate with few contacts, she made a call to a member, of the professional staff, from her first year field placement who had since moved on to another job. During her initial conversation with this woman she discovered that individual was not happy in the job and was getting ready to tender her resignation. The had a nice talk about their respective lack of job satisfaction.
It turns out that the field work contact did not leave her job and the resignation was not accepted, in fact this individual was now going to be a major player in reorganizing the department that caused her such angst. Our graduate, because she had planted a seed,was given a job offer, which she has accepted.
Now how is that for luck? How many people accept 2 jobs in 3 months?
Networking seems to play a critical role in the modern world and especially in the social work world. Individuals, who respect your work, are your greatest resource in job searching. Peer input can be a very valuable resource in evaluating the modern job market.
On this note I would be very interested in getting some feed back on your interest in attending an alumni networking evening. I envision holding an evening event in Midtown, either later this fall or in the spring or both. I believe this could be a great opportunity to catch up with some classmates, to share your accomplishments, and find out what other graduates of the Wurzweiler School are involved in professionally and socially.
Please call or email me with your thoughts on participating in an event like this. This would not be a presentation on job searching, simply an opportunity for individuals who have graduated from Wurzweiler to share their experiences with their peers.
You can email me: cmmiller@yu.edu : or call me at:212-960-0127 with your thoughts or questions.
