Where can a 15-year-old work in Michigan?

Social Work Jobs in Michigan?

• i just graduated with a bachelors degree in social studies and starting my Masters in social work degree this August. I overheard someone saying that the State of Michigan is desperately in need of social workers, thus they will hire people with any bachelors degree and train them as entry Social Workers. Does anyone know if this is true, and if it is what kind of jobs can i get. I love Social Work and i will be pleased to get a Social Work job, i dont care how much it pays i just want to get my foot in the door and get the experience for when i finish my MSW degree.Please help me out if you know anything about this.Thanks

• Answer:

  What is key is that in the state of Michigan, one cannot call themselves a social worker or engage in social work (defined by Michigan state law) unless they have been licensed as a social worker. And one cannot be licensed as a social worker unless they have a social work degree. Regulatory requirements for licensure/certification for social work in Michigan, http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-35299_28150_27529_27554---,00.html that information can be found on their Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website. PUBLIC HEALTH CODE (EXCERPT) Act 368 of 1978 333.18504 License required. Sec. 18504. (1) An individual shall not engage in the practice of social work at the bachelor's or master's level or use a title described in section 18503 unless licensed or otherwise allowed under this part. (2) The department shall issue a license or registration under this part for a duration of 3 years. 333.18503 Representation or use of title; prohibition. Sec. 18503. (1) An individual shall not represent that he or she is a social service technician or use a title including “social service technician” or an abbreviation of those terms or the letters “s.s.t.” or similar words which would indicate that he or she is registered under this article unless the individual is registered in that capacity under this article. (2) Only a licensed bachelor's social worker shall use the title “licensed bachelor's social worker”, “social worker”, or “l.b.s.w.”. Only a licensed master's social worker shall use the title “licensed master's social worker”, “social worker”, or “l.m.s.w.”. Michigan Public Health care law: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(pjlvi5mjloh3ia454g1oodju))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-368-1978-15-185. In looking at the Michigan social work laws, referenced above, not just anyone can be employed or trained to become a "social worker". I work in the regulatory realm, and it is interesting to me....Michigan actually has more in their law than some other states for who can and cannot practice social work and licensure requirements. A lot of this is rooted in the idea of social work title protection and educational requirements for the field as a profession. Michigan has what is called a social service technician (a type of registration), but again even with that there are stipulations per law on what these individuals can and cannot do in positions: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch_sw_svc_tech_app_pkt_130544_7.pdf Licensure levels in Michigan for social workers: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/mdch_sw_swpracticechangesduetolicensure_216184_7.pdf In looking at job availability: The state of Michigan job website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/michigan/default.cfm will help you in determining the job availability for "social workers", to include where (counties/cities) the jobs are available. Federal jobs: http://www.usajobs.com Indeed job search: http://www.indeed.com Other good job searches: http://www.simplyhired.com/a/jobs/list/q-social+worker http://www.socialservice.com/ http://www.socialworkjobsearch.com/socialworkjobsearch.cgi I would encourage you to narrow down what career/jobs you want to focus on starting out with your MSW and choose a field/practicum placement related to that area so you have something to put on your resume related to the jobs you will be applying for. Always ensure you network by meeting other professionals because all jobs are not posted and I have heard about positions through other professionals in the social work profession. This includes attending local workshops/conferences as well. And I would highly encourage you to start volunteering now in a setting related to where you want to focus your social work career after you graduate. This will not only provide you exposure to real world life and field opportunities, it will also enrich you as a person and allow you to meet others and establish positive professional relationships. Best wishes in your endeavors!