Dismantling the outdated, narrow view of social work so that social workers are empowered to believe they can do anything they want to do professionally with their degrees. Transforming the social work profession by elevating our expectations, building our brands, and positioning our power.
SOCIAL WORK MONTH 2024 SOCIAL WORK TIP OF THE DAY
- Define social work career success on your own terms
- Social workers do not take a vow of poverty
- Professional burnout is not a social work rite of passage
- Social work skills are highly transferable
- Social work skills are high-income skills
- Social work is political
- Social workers can align our work with our values
- Social workers deserve to do work that feeds our hearts, minds, and wallets
- Being overworked is not a badge of honor
- It’s not bragging if it’s true
- Macro, mezzo, and micro social work are all real social work
- You always have the option to change course
- Always prioritize your personal and professional safety
- Don’t work harder for your clients than they are willing to work for themselves
- Expect to be paid well for your education, experience, and expertise
- The VA is not the only government agency that hires social workers
- No one needs you more than you need you
- You are more than a social worker
- Your employer controls your salary, not your worth
- Social work your social work career
- Be aware of unequal power dynamics
- Honor your boundaries
- Your mindset is as important as your skillset
- Practice consistent, quality self-care
- Lead like a social worker
- You are a brand, and your career is your business
- Advocate fiercely for yourself
- Give yourself credit
- You are your only competition
- Document it, because it happened
- You can social work differently
THANK YOU for joining me on social media (@nickisandersceo) and YouTube for my 31-day Social Work Tip of the Day journey. Feel free to share your favorite or most beneficial career tip. I would love to hear from you.
MYTH: Social Work Month is the only time to celebrate social workers.
FACT: I continue to celebrate and honor social workers even after Social Work Month has come to a close.
How will you social work differently? How can I support you?
Schedule a 20-minute consultation and let’s discuss the best ways to work together.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, is committed to career development, professional development, and organizational development. As Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting, her mission is simple – to eliminate toxic workplaces by developing skilled, empathetic, and goal-oriented leaders who have the vision, support, and resources to create a culture where business prospers, and employees thrive individually and collectively. Nicki supports high-performing women of color in social work leadership in developing careers that feed their hearts, minds, and wallets. She has an extensive background in nonprofit management leading high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams, volunteer recruitment and retention, and social impact programming. Nicki is an accomplished professor, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has combined her gift for authentic relationships, Master of Social Work degree, and over 20 years of diverse work experience to create a life and career aligned with her values and purpose. She is a lover of nature, cupcakes, travel, and 80’s hip hop and R&B music.
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