Suzanne Dworak-Peck’s Top 10 Tips for Success in Social Work

The Class of 2017 was privileged to have Suzanne Dworak-Peck deliver the keynote speech at its commencement on May 12. Dworak-Peck, whose name will forever be intertwined with social work and nursing at USC, bestowed some wisdom from her three decades of dedication and service as a professional social work practitioner.

She spoke to the school’s newest MSW and PhD graduates about how to become and remain successful in the social work profession and create change in the world. Here are the top 10 most important pieces of advice she bestowed on the next generation of social workers:

1. Always let your voice be heard when there is injustice, suffering, discrimination and inequality.

Raise awareness and advocate.

2. Don’t be reluctant to be different.

Embrace your uniqueness and follow your interests, wherever they may lead you. Don’t stop until you find the practice you really want to follow.

3. Pinpoint what you really enjoy doing the most — your passion in the field — and don’t hesitate to pursue it.

Whether it’s micro or macro, traditional or nontraditional: give it your all, all of the time.

4. Think big — whether you’re working with one client at a time, improving the health care system of the world, using media to shape the image of the entire profession, or creating your own agency, program or legislation.

You now have the capacity to accomplish the change you seek. Be creative and forge your own brand of social work.

5. Change the conversation.

Bring together thought leaders, partner with other disciplines to collaborate and bring your expertise and compassion to the forefront when creating policy. Do whatever it takes, but never lose sight of your compassion, why you chose social work and why it chose you.

6. Do not underestimate the importance of being mentored and supported by other social workers.

There will come a time when other social workers look to you for the same advice and knowledge. Social work is a very big world — opportunities to expand your skillset should always be welcomed.

7. Make it a part of your life’s work to look for those occasions where you can give back to your profession, your colleagues, your clients and the up-and-coming social workers who will follow in your footsteps.

As you continue to practice, you will be helped by many people, some of whom you won’t even know. Our profession only gets stronger when we help each other along the way.

8. Continue to find gratitude, not only on the good days but also on the challenging days when you really need it.

Be grateful that you chose this profession, be grateful for your education, be grateful that you’re in a position to effect real change in the world.

9. Be proactive for your clients, your profession and your society.

This is what you have been educated and trained to do. The world needs our profession, with its values and ethics, now more than ever.

10. Continue to identify yourself as a social worker, and be present when it counts.

The world outside of social work and the next generation of social workers need you to do so. We must always be at the table when the deals are being made that impact our clients, our profession and our society.