The Daily Bulletin Archive

By Jerod Dahlgren

With record numbers of Americans facing foreclosure, signing up for unemployment benefits, and receiving food stamps, the need for qualified social workers has spiked.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for social workers is expected to increase by 22 percent by 2016, a rate that is much faster than the average for all occupations.

“The demand is increasing for the kind of services that social workers provide,” said Deborah Renzi, coordinator of field education in the Buffalo State College Social Work Department. “However, we also recognize that federally and state-funded human service programs are stressed for funding by the recession. We are confident that our students are well prepared for the challenges they will face in this job market, and the long-term outlook is promising.”

The Social Work Department’s field education program, which places undergraduates in the field under the supervision of an experienced social worker, has seen a similar increase. One hundred eighteen students were placed in human service agencies last year, a record according to Patrick Dexter, chair and associate professor of social work. Dexter expects the final tally of field education participants in 2009–2010 to again top 100.

“All of these opportunities allow our students to become better acquainted with regional human service agencies, and they often make connections,” said Renzi, who notes that a current field education student was recently offered a position at HomeFront Buffalo following graduation in May.

HomeFront Buffalo is a nonprofit community development agency that features services such as financial literacy for buyers, first-time-homebuyer education, and foreclosure-prevention counseling.

“We are in a field that is responding to a crisis,” said Jean Berry, program director at HomeFront Buffalo. “The need for default and foreclosure counseling is booming right now. Because of this particular student’s education and past work experience in human services, she had an immediate edge. She shows great empathy and ability when talking to our clients.”

While proud of another successful placement, Renzi is not surprised by the compassion of her students.

“Our students understand the value of human service,” said Renzi. “They are very altruistic and committed to the concept of helping others.”