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:
- Excellent interpersonal, listening, and communication skills that demonstrate a genuine interest in people and their welfare
- Showing sensitivity to the beliefs and values of others and acknowledge one’s own identity, influences, social location, and values
- Supporting individuals, families, groups and communities using engagement, assessment, intervention, negotiation, mediation, advocacy, and evaluation
- Familiarity with and ability to use critical social theories to analyze and address pressing social issues
- Applying theoretical and practical frameworks to promote human rights and social justice
- Analyzing social policies and identification of their implications for disadvantaged and oppressed groups at local, national, and international levels
- Collaborating with other health professionals to promote environmental and social wellbeing for people
- Supporting and enhancing diversity in society through critical thinking and innovative problem solving, developed through hands-on practicum experience
- Research used to study issues of power and discrimination based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, class, culture, and others
- Understanding relevant social work codes of ethics and consistent application in any situation
Career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including government, schools, health care, community or residential settings, crisis centres, correctional services, shelters, immigration services, counselling agencies, 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. Some career options may require further education or training.
Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.
- Aboriginal outreach worker
- Addiction social worker
- Addictions counsellor
- Art or music therapist
- Case worker or manager
- Child and youth counsellor
- Child welfare policy analyst
- Child welfare social worker
- Clinical counsellor
- Community development worker
- Community organizer
- Crisis counsellor
- Detention home worker
- Educational or Guidance counsellor
- Employment counsellor
- Employment initiatives coordinator
- Family counsellor
- Family social worker
- Geriatric social worker
- Group home counsellor
- Group social worker
- Human resources consultant
- Human rights officer or spokesperson
- Labour relations officer
- Life skills instructor
- Lobbyist or Activist
- Medical social worker
- Mental health counsellor
- Parenting coach
- Parole or Probation officer
- Psychiatric social worker
- Public relations coordinator
- Research assistant
- School liaison worker
- Settlement worker
- Sexual assault counsellor
- Shelter supervisor
- Social assistance officer
- Social policy researcher or analyst
- Veteran services officer
- Volunteer coordinator
- Welfare organization counsellor
- Women’s shelter supervisor
Make the most of your program
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help you understand your values and interests.
- Field Education
Integrate theory, knowledge, and skills and apply them in an agency or in the community. - International Field Education
Take courses offered in partnership with the Office of Regional and International Community Education (ORICE). - 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. - 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. - Vancouver Coastal Health volunteer opportunities
Find volunteer opportunities supporting children and families. - Fraser Health volunteer opportunities
Gain volunteer experience related to public health, hospice, community support, and others. - Charity Village
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. - BC 211
Connect with a variety of organizations from grassroots to government.
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
- National Association of Social Worker
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Social Work graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.
More information
From 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.