National Association of Social Workers

From the President

Growth Is Profession's Challenge

By Elvira Craig de Silva, DSW, ACSW

I recently had a long conversation with one of my sons, Francisco, who is an AODA counselor working with the homeless. We exchanged experiences and ideas about professions, society and how we had developed as professionals in our respective fields. Afterwards, I reflected on social work, our role as a profession, the variety of paths we take as social workers, the lessons we learn along the way and what legacy we are leaving for future generations.

From my perspective, one of the most significant strengths of social workers is that we assess the world around us to be able to respond to the changing needs and circumstances of the people we serve, including the impact of various social systems to which they belong. Although the core values of our profession remain constant, our skills, approaches and methodologies are challenged and shaped by influences at both the macro level (poverty, wars, illnesses) and the micro level (families, neighborhood, community).

Many rapid and dramatic societal changes are now punctuated by instant media news and technological advancement, which can either ameliorate or exacerbate crises. These inevitable changes have deep implications, not only on the way we practice social work, but also on the way we prepare ourselves academically to become social workers.

To best prepare students for the 21st century, there has to be congruency between the realities of today's world as reflected in our clients' experiences, the goals of the profession, and the knowledge base and practice opportunities we give our students.

Within this framework, we need to acknowledge the diversity within our own profession — differences which also reflect the diversity of our constituents. This includes everything from ethnicity, race and gender, to political and religious beliefs, age, sexual orientation, culture and many other factors.

We must also be aware of the nuances and goals of our various social work organizations and professional affiliations, and network with the world outside our profession.

For example, involvement in the political arena has been repeatedly identified as critical to social work survival. We have to be informed and involved in the decision-making process from which emerge the policies that affect those we serve, as well as our profession. This is not the time for isolation and cloistered activity. It is the time to be an active and vivid presence on the local and national scenes.

The recently launched Social Work Reinvestment Initiative offers us a unifying theme and an organized approach to help decision makers in all sectors understand why social work and social workers matter to the well-being of our nation. Much of this effort will be led by our NASW national lobby team in partnership with a cross-section of committed leaders in our chapters, schools of social work and sister social work organizations.

One goal is to increase the profession's ability to recruit and retain social workers for years to come. The other is to collaborate with employers, policymakers and other decision makers to reinvest in social work education, research and practice excellence at all levels.

It's also time that we self-identify as leaders. Every social worker exerts leadership in a different manner in the field in which he or she works. Due to our training, we already have some of the most fundamental skills a leader should have: we have the ability to listen and hear the real issues underneath the presenting problem; we know how to build alliances and coalitions; we know how to get things done despite adversity; we help other people accomplish more in their lives; and we know how to organize and mobilize groups, families and communities to achieve shared goals. We are bridge builders and adept advocates — and society needs us.

In my career, I have learned from people from all walks of life. Many peers, clients, professors, students, neighbors and family members have had wisdom and compassion that I did not possess. Some lessons have been about myself, some about life and human nature, and others about my profession. For all I am grateful, because whether benign or harsh, the advice has helped me grow and have a greater sense of satisfaction in what I do, personally and professionally.

There is a degree of discomfort that comes from examining oneself and exploring new or different ways of doing things. However, the act of opening our minds, eyes and ears to really understand who and what is around us — and how our worldview and actions impact others — is both a serious responsibility and a wonderful gift.

Like many of you, I am fortunate that life and the social work profession have given me so many lessons and insight over the years. Our greatest challenge now is to become part of the learning and growing process for those who will follow us into the profession for generations.

To comment to Elvira Craig de Silva: president@naswdc.org

From February 2007 NASW News. © 2007 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. NASW News articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising, promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.