Your degree in Social Work

Skills you’ll develop

While studying Social Work, you’ll develop important skills, values, and knowledge necessary for professional practice through a social justice lens.

These skills may include:

• Understanding and applying relevant social work codes of ethics in practice situation
• Understanding and applying the human rights framework and social justice lens in practice
• Applying relevant critical social theories to analyze and address pressing social and personal issues
• Showing sensitivity to the beliefs and values of others and reflexivity of one’s own identity, influences, social location, and values
• Supporting and enhancing diversity in society through critical thinking and innovative problem solving, developed through hands-on practicum experience
• Analyzing social policies and identification of their implications for disadvantaged and oppressed groups at local, national, and international levels
• Excellent interpersonal, listening, and communication skills that demonstrate a genuine interest in people and their wellbeing
• Knowing how to support individuals, families, groups and communities in engagement, assessment, intervention, negotiation, mediation, advocacy, and evaluation
• Adopting and applying an intersectionality framework to empirically investigate how power and discrimination based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, class, culture, and others affect the wellbeing of individuals
• Collaborating with other professionals in health care and community organizations to promote environmental and social wellbeing for people 

Career possibilities

Career opportunities vary widely. Social workers can be working at a range of institutions including government, schools, health care, community organizations, residential facilities providing a variety of services such as crisis centres, correctional services, shelters, immigrant settlement, individual and family counselling group support for individuals, community development, policy analysis, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas.

Visit the Job Bank Canada website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field. Some career options may require further education or training.

Make the most of your program

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities, develop your skillset, and help you clarify your values and interests.

• BC 211
  Connect with a variety of organizations from grassroots to government.
• Centre for Inclusion and Citizenship
  Focus on social policy and issues concerned with the full inclusion and citizenship of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
• Centre for Research on Personhood in Dementia 
  Connect with an interdisciplinary team of practice-based and applied researchers committed to improving support for people living with dementia, their families and communities.
• Centre for the Study of Services to Children and Families
  Find volunteer opportunities with programs and services aimed at improving the lives of children, youth, and families from diverse social contexts in the Okanagan.
• Charity Village
  Browse work and volunteer opportunities to support community programs.
• Departmental events
  Network with Social Work students and faculty members at a variety of events.
• Departmental research opportunities
  Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions.
• Field Education
  Integrate theory, knowledge, and skills and apply them in an agency or in the community
• Fraser Health volunteer opportunities
  Gain volunteer experience related to public health, hospice, community support, and others.
• International Field Education
  Take courses offered in partnership with the Office of Regional and International Community Education (ORICE).
• Vancouver Coastal Health volunteer opportunities
  Find volunteer opportunities supporting children and families.
• Work In NonProfits
  Browse work and volunteer opportunities to support community programs.
• WorkBC career profile
  Check out job requirements, relevant skills, salaries, and industry outlook for social workers in British Columbia.

Build your network

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

• BC Association of Social Workers
• British Columbia College of Social Workers
• Canadian Association for Social Work Education
• Canadian Association of Social Workers
• Canadian Council of Social Work Regulators
• International Federation of Social Work 
• International Association of Schools of Social Work
• National Association of Social Worker

Connect with alumni

Learn about possible career paths by browsing alumni stories or viewing the profiles of UBC Social Work graduates on LinkedIn.

As you read, take note of interesting job titles, organizations, and experiences you may want to explore. If a particular story or profile aligns with your goals, consider reaching out for an informational interview.

More information

Throughout your Arts degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Arts degree.