What’s Up in Social Work?

In honour of Social Work Week (March 3 – 9, 2013), the University of Calgary Social Work Students’ Association is hosting a series of events open to the public!  Please join us in celebrating!

On Tuesday, March 5 at 6:30 pm in the Cassio Rooms in MacEwan Hall at the University of Calgary, the award winning documentary “It’s A Girl” will be screened.  The film tells the stories of abandoned and trafficked girls, of women who suffer extreme dowry-related violence, of brave mothers fighting to save their daughters’ lives, and of other mothers who would kill for a son. Global experts and grassroots activists put the stories in context and advocate different paths towards change, while collectively lamenting the lack of any truly effective action against this injustice.  For more information, visit http://www.itsagirlmovie.com .  Admission is FREE - instead please bring a non-perishable food item for the Campus Food Bank. 

On Wednesday, March 6 at 8:00 pm in the Cassio Rooms in MacEwan Hall at the University of Calgary, the Social Work Students’ Association invite you to an evening with Dr. Raju Hajela, a Calgary addiction specialist and physician.  Currently, Dr. Hajela is the president and Medical Director at Health Upwardly Mobile, Inc. (HUM), a health and wellness company offering services to clients and prepare them for residential treatment for drug addiction;  gambling addiction; alcohol rehab;  internet, video gaming, and media addiction; sex and relationships; and food addiction treatment.  According to the HUM website, Dr. Hajela has taught at the University of Toronto, Queen’s University and the University of Calgary. He has received numerous honours and awards for his leadership and community work.  Dr. Hajela will spend the evening sharing with us his knowledge and experience with addiction.  There will be an opportunity for questions and dialogue after the presentation.  Admission is FREE – instead please bring a non-perishable food item for the Campus Food Bank.

Career and Employment Tip
by Angela Judge,
Career Specialist, Education and Social Work, Career Services


I receive a lot of questions from students regarding cover letters.  I have found in over 8 years of practice is that when employers request cover letters as part of your application package, they allow you to highlight not only your relevant skills and experience in more detail than you can on your resume, but also to share your voice and how you put your values into practice.  An effective cover letter is one page in length (unless otherwise specified) and allows you to tell the reader why you are writing them, how you fit within and will contribute to their organization and why you want to work for them. Students can view all of our career development resources via the Career Services website: http://www.ucalgary.ca/careers/studentsandalumni



Meet your SWSA Representative of the Month...
Introducing: Jennifer Broughton

1. What route did you take to becoming a University of Calgary Social
Work Student?   Where are you now in your studies?

Right after high school, I went to the University of Alberta to study Global and Developmental Studies. After realizing this program was not for me, I transferred to the Red Deer College Social Work Diploma program, which then led me into the University of Calgary Bachelor of Social Work Degree program. I am currently in my 3rd year of the program. 
2. Why did you decide to join the Social Work Students' Association?
I decided to join SWSA to meet people from my program and faculty, and be apart of planning fun, interesting and engaging events on campus.
3. What role do you play on SWSA?
I am a member of the social committee, which is responsible for planning events on campus, or engaging with others that are interesting in putting an event together.
4. What has been your favourite part of belonging to SWSA so far?
My favorite part has probably been the opportunities to meet some of my peers that I might not of otherwise through classes. I think we have grown together over the year to form a cohesive club, and I look forward to working with everyone more in the future!
5. What event are you looking forward to most this year?
We have worked very hard to put on some amazing events during social work week which I am very excited about. I think both the documentary and the speaker will have some very interesting information to share, and I look forward to see how we can bring awareness and make change!

Interested in having a Public Interest Research Group on your Calgary campus?
Great things a PIRG
on your campus could bring:
• funding for your project/ideas
• training opportunities
• skill-building workshops
• low cost photocopy/telephone/fax usage,
• low-cost meeting spaces
• access to AV equipment
• national networking opportuni­ties and more
The CPIRG (Calgary Public Interest Research Group) is in the works and is looking to meet progressively minded students at both the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University who interested in seeing a PIRG on their campus.  Email [email protected] with any PIRG related questions or check out www.apirg.org

 
What’s Up in Social Work?

Thank you to Liza Lorenzetti and all the faculty who donated money to the student food bank. $75 was raised and donated.
Thank-you also to Catherine Pearl’s SOWK 355 class for their generous food and monetary donations made to the food bank before the winter break!
The red food collection bin will be outside the SWSA office (PF 4253) for the entire winter semester if you would like to make a donation.  SWSA will be checking the bin and dropping donations off regularly at the student food bank.

Career and Employment Tip
By Angela Judge, Career Specialist, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary

A professional resume is a critical tool for your job search.  Sitting down to write a resume is a big task.  I find it useful to create a comprehensive or master resume which includes all of your education and experience.  This allows you to respond quickly when you hear about a position through your network or online. You can quickly scan your experience and pull out two pages that are most relevant to the organization based on their job advertisement. This strategy ensures you have a well written, comprehensive and targeted resume every time.




Your SWSA Representative of the Month:
Jenn Beaulieau

1. What route did you take to becoming a University of Calgary Social Work Student?   Where are you now in your studies?
I came to the Social Work program as a University Transfer student, from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. I am currently in my 3rd year of my studies and can't wait for practicum in the fall!!
2. Why did you decide to join the Social Work Students' Association?

I decided to join SWSA to become more connected with my classmates and to officially become part of a "club" as I had never been a part of one before.
3. What role do you play on SWSA?
I am a co-chair of SWSA and oversee both the media committee and engagement committee and I also I sit on the BSW Committee meetings.
4. What has been your favourite part of belonging to SWSA so far?
My favorite part of belonging to SWSA so far, is that I feel like I have not only gotten to know my classmates very well, but a lot of faculty members as well.

5. What event are you looking forward to most this year?
I am looking forward to Social Work week!! We have a great speaker lined up!! Stay tuned for more details!!!