The Student Social Work Association (SSWA) is a student-run organization built around serving the community. Its establishment allowed social work students to have a voice that represented them.
While the SSWA is not recognized as a national organization, its standing should not be discredited. According to the ULM Social Work website, “SSWA serves the purpose of enabling students majoring in social work to begin to identify with their chosen profession and to develop a relationship with other social work students, the social work faculty, and other professional social workers.”
Although SSWA caters to social work majors, the RSO welcomes all students. The organization provides the stepping stones needed to help students pursue a social work career. Club members become more familiar with the field while actively participating in the community.
When asked about the importance of SSWA, freshman social work major Delanie Carty shared her thoughts.
“It is important because advocacy and volunteering not only improves the community and campus around us but can also become an amazing outlet for students,” Carty said. “It allows for the opportunity to get practical community experience, which may assist them in later career endeavors.”
In previous years, students have been able to participate in events such as Social Work Career Day. This event dedicates time to showing students and faculty how social work plays a role in their fields.
Carty contacted non-profit organizations to create more opportunities for their members and those considering this association.
“For people who may not know what social work is or have negative outlooks on it, this can be a chance to maybe change that perspective.” Senior social work major and SSWA secretary J’nayai Winzer said.
As of right now, SSWA is still getting back on its feet. Cabello mentioned during a meeting that “every year after it is picked up, there is no consistency in the members.”
The SSWA is not an RSO that receives tons of recognition, which leads to a lack of support. It is always open to new members, and any students interested in joining should contact Cabello at [email protected] or Carty at [email protected].
