Focus On: Social Work

A draw to help people

By Kimberly Hardy

Why did you select the major that you did?

I have always been drawn to helping people. A draw to help people has many specializations that enable you to help people in many facets of their lives�medical social work, mental health, individual and family therapy, and more. In addition, social work allows me to be very direct in helping my clients and to address many of their needs in a creative way so that all of their needs can be met.

What were your classes like?

The courses for my major were extremely interesting and provided a great foundation for a social work career. The courses range from offering an in-depth understanding of the history of the profession to courses designed to teach you how to be an effective clinician; they were challenging yet interesting, and the students and faculty members worked together inside and outside of the classroom.

What are your career goals?

I am currently in a Ph.D. program at The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. Ultimately, I plan to teach at an HBCU in an undergraduate and graduate social work program and plan to ascend to the presidency. A more immediate goal, however, is to help write policies for urban school systems that address the issues faced by students in the juvenile justice system. My heart is always with clinical work, so I do plan to open a private practice one day.

What activities are you involved in?

I am a very active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, through which I do a great deal of community service in Chicago. I also teach masters-level graduate classes at Dominican University's School of Social Work.

What advice would you give students considering going into your field?

First, truly investigate the field of social work and the many specialties available within the field so that you can find the niche that is right for you. Second, find a school that focuses on your population of choice because each program has a different population focus and a different method of working with them.

Finally, do not enter a bachelor's program without considering a master's program. Find out from the undergraduate department where their students tend to get their MSW so that you can prepare yourself accordingly.

Kimberly Hardy, MSW, has been a clinical school social worker in Ohio, Washington, DC, and Chicago for many years. She received her B.S. in social work from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, her Master's of A draw to help people from The Ohio State University, and she is currently beginning the fourth year of her Ph.D. at The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration.

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