Explain The Two Long Term Goals Of Social Work
Long-term goals I have two long-term goals in mind for the next 5-10 years: (a) register to practice social work in South Africa, and (b) organize support groups for women there. When I left South Africa in 2002 to study in the United States, my interest was always to advance my education and experience in different social work programs which could benefit the communities of South Africa in the end. My ultimate goal is to go back to South Africa and work in collaboration with communities and social workers there, as well as those who have interest in protecting women’s rights, with the goal of influencing lawmakers to pass strict laws to protect women and children victims of abuse. To practice any social work service there, the South African Council for Social Service Professionals (SACSSP) requires anyone with foreign credentials to register with the council. To complete my registration and legally practice there, I need to take additional courses in laws and ethics as well as public welfare and policy courses. I hope to obtain my registration and credentials to practice in South Africa by May 2028.
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My second long-term goal is to organize support groups for women in the rural areas of South Africa, since people who live in the rural areas are the most underprivileged and underrepresented there.
I will network with local town representatives to find ways to improve the lives of this population. I will also seek support from female politicians to promote my social service ideas. Not only do I plan on working in collaboration with these communities to understand their needs, I also plan on designing an education manual to train other workers in social service areas based on the specific needs of these communities. Completion of this goal will depend on how much financial support I am able to receive from the government to design these programs. Gaining government support and advocating for new laws to support and protect women can be a long
process.
Conclusion Even though social work is a female-dominated profession, women nevertheless face challenges with regard to salary and gender. According to McGinn & Newman (2012), “although more women are entering the workforce, careers dominated by women tend to be associated with lower salaries and lower prestige, and by the same token, women tend to dominate leadership positions when the field becomes less prestigious” (p. 9). McGinn & Newman add that the number of women in leadership positions has increased over the years, but women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions (p. 9). And finally, “although women now outnumber men in graduating classes, the feminization of clinical psychology also brings with it new challenges” (p. 12). Another challenge I might face as a woman of color in the social work field is competing for leadership positions in white female-dominated leadership positions. To be in a leadership position, I may have to take risks and prove myself that I can effectively lead. This will hopefully influence other women of color to pursue leadership positions.
Pertaining to going back to South Africa and serving the underprivileged communities and victims of violence and abuse, I expect there will be opposition from community members, community leaders, or politicians who lack knowledge about women’s rights. To confront these challenges, I will need to increase my “social intelligence” and “emotional intelligence” strengths. According to Sosik & Cameron (2010), leaders need social and emotional intelligence strengths to be able to “navigate the complex personal, interpersonal, and political challenges” (Sosik & Cameron, 2010, p. 7). The additional strength that will help me to overcome challenges is my own ability to “carefully examine problems fully by integrating alternative viewpoints and various perspectives through intellectual stimulation” (Sosik & Cameron, 2010). The social work profession involves working with complex social issues, and my openness to gaining other people’s perspectives as well as their support will help me to overcome any possible problems.
My second long-term goal is to organize support groups for women in the rural areas of South Africa, since people who live in the rural areas are the most underprivileged and underrepresented there.
I will network with local town representatives to find ways to improve the lives of this population. I will also seek support from female politicians to promote my social service ideas. Not only do I plan on working in collaboration with these communities to understand their needs, I also plan on designing an education manual to train other workers in social service areas based on the specific needs of these communities. Completion of this goal will depend on how much financial support I am able to receive from the government to design these programs. Gaining government support and advocating for new laws to support and protect women can be a long
process.
Conclusion Even though social work is a female-dominated profession, women nevertheless face challenges with regard to salary and gender. According to McGinn & Newman (2012), “although more women are entering the workforce, careers dominated by women tend to be associated with lower salaries and lower prestige, and by the same token, women tend to dominate leadership positions when the field becomes less prestigious” (p. 9). McGinn & Newman add that the number of women in leadership positions has increased over the years, but women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions (p. 9). And finally, “although women now outnumber men in graduating classes, the feminization of clinical psychology also brings with it new challenges” (p. 12). Another challenge I might face as a woman of color in the social work field is competing for leadership positions in white female-dominated leadership positions. To be in a leadership position, I may have to take risks and prove myself that I can effectively lead. This will hopefully influence other women of color to pursue leadership positions.
Pertaining to going back to South Africa and serving the underprivileged communities and victims of violence and abuse, I expect there will be opposition from community members, community leaders, or politicians who lack knowledge about women’s rights. To confront these challenges, I will need to increase my “social intelligence” and “emotional intelligence” strengths. According to Sosik & Cameron (2010), leaders need social and emotional intelligence strengths to be able to “navigate the complex personal, interpersonal, and political challenges” (Sosik & Cameron, 2010, p. 7). The additional strength that will help me to overcome challenges is my own ability to “carefully examine problems fully by integrating alternative viewpoints and various perspectives through intellectual stimulation” (Sosik & Cameron, 2010). The social work profession involves working with complex social issues, and my openness to gaining other people’s perspectives as well as their support will help me to overcome any possible problems.