Social Work 120: I Want to Help People

4) Professional Exploration Paper:
This paper is a summary of your research into one type of human service profession or career. It will be ongoing throughout the month with parts due along the way.

• The final version is a 5-6-page paper (12pt font, double spaced and one-inch margins, APA format).
• Include as much of the information from the three sections as is pertinent, organizing carefully.
• Your research should include a minimum of 5 academic sources

This paper has three sections. General questions to consider for each section:
Section I: Descriptive Information

• What is the history of the job/occupation/profession?
• Who are one or two important individuals in the creating and or development of the occupation, career, or profession?
• What does a person in this profession do to “help” people?
• Where, When, How and Why does a person in this profession “help” people?
• Library research yields general job descriptions. Include other disciplines with whom these professionals might work.
• What is the best preparation for this profession (education, degree, training, certificate)?
• How could you relate your studies at St. Olaf to preparation for this profession?
• What role does technology play?
• What liberal arts courses might be important in your preparation?
• What other considerations exist for this type of work? (graduate school, licensure/certification, ethical considerations, code of ethics)

Section II: Brief Analysis

• What are employment prospects in this professional field? Now, in the near future, over the next 30 years?
• What rewards and controversies or major challenges are typical of this career, occupation, profession? (current challenges to workers in this field, controversies evident in the literature)
• How does this professional relate to any of our course content?
• At the end of your research, what additional questions might you pursue about this professional work area if you had more time?

• Professional Organization websites

Use these websites to find information about a profession, its subfields, ongoing concerns/issues, current conversations, and any subfield organizations if any.

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