Looking forward to a future in social work

Four years ago, Rob made the decision to undertake the Bachelor of Social Work at NMIT.(external link) Having tried his hand at a variety of jobs including sales, project management and landscape gardening, he was struggling to find the right career.

“I had never really found a career I felt passionate about,” says Rob. “Social work offered me the chance to find a career that was aligned with who I wanted to be as a person.”

Rob was also drawn to the flexible range of career options social work would provide him in times of global uncertainty.

“Social work gives you the opportunity to try a lot of different fields,” says Rob, “I’m really appreciative of the wide variety of career options now available to me.”

Practical placements are an essential part of the programme and Rob worked in a number of different community agencies and organisations, gaining an insight into where he would like his career to advance upon graduation.  

“I spent time on placement at the ‘Male Room,’(external link) a support service specifically for guys and then worked in mental health with older people at the Alexandra Hospital(external link) and really enjoyed that,” says Rob.

“I think mental health is the area I’m looking to go down.”

While slightly nervous about returning to study after a number of years away from school, Rob quickly realised it wasn’t an issue.

“Any concerns I had before I came here to study were unfounded,” says Rob, “NMIT is very supportive if you are concerned about the academic side of things.”

A degree in social work will provide you with the core professional skills and attributes required to work in a range of social services including mental health and other counselling related roles.

The next intake is February 2022(external link) with flexible learning options available, including full-time and part-time study.