INSIDE DOUGLAS COLLEGE / FEBRUARY 27, 1990

 

 

Graduates trained to “hold together fabric of society”

Pree who work in the social
services field hold together the
fabric of society and attempt to fix
it when it’s broken.

They work as counsellors in
crisis centres, hospitals, neighbor-
hood houses and transition houses,
helping people find jobs, obtain
financial assistance, or overcome al-
cohol and drug abuse.

“It’s crucial for people working
in this field to have formal educa-
tion and training in order to offer ef-
fective social services,” says Brian
Nelson, a recent graduate of the
Community Social Service Worker
Program at Douglas College.

Shebib says the Community Social
Service Worker program is “unique
in the province.” ‘
“We're the only social service
training program in B.C. that offers

Graduates highly
competitive in the
workplace.

students the chance to learn finan-
cial assistance skills, community
resources and employment coun-
selling,” says Shebib. “Our
graduates are highly competitive in
the workplace.”

The nine-month certificate pro-

gram prepares students for entry-
level counselling jobs in a variety
of settings. Graduates find work in
drug and alcohol counselling,
employment counselling and finan-
cial assistance.

The program focuses on social
service specialty courses, which in-
clude individual and group coun-
selling, employment counselling,
human growth and development,
the family, community resources,
English communication, ethical
and professional behaviour and
financial assistance skills. Students
can complete the program on a full-
time or part-time basis.

Shebib says the majority of stu-
dents who enroll in the program

 

Community Social
_ Service Worker
program tough and
intense, but intensely
interesting, says
Nelson.

Nelson graduated from the pro-
gram last spring and now works as
a full-time teaching assistant at
North Delta Senior Secondary
School. He also works as a part-
time counsellor with ELAN, a drug
recovery program based in South
Vancouver.

The Community Social Service
Worker Program at Douglas Col-
lege is tough and intense, he says,
“but it’s also intensely interesting.”

“It gave me a good solid
grounding in the social services
field,” says Nelson, who worked in
the social services field for 13 years
before enrolling in the program. “It
complemented my work experience
perfectly. Everything I learned in
the classroom, I use on the job. I
found the courses very practical.”

Program coordinator Bob

continued on page 9

 

 
  

 

 

Douglas College Theatre Department’ s
Mainstage Production

p Midsummer
Night's Dream

i March 23 - 31 ¢ 8:00 p.m.
April 1 + 2:00 p.m.- Matinee
No shows March 25 & 26

Douglas College Performing Arts Theatre
700 Royal Avenue
New Westminster
-one block from the SkyTrain-

‘Tickets available at the Douglas College Bookstore & at the door.
Visa & Mastercard accepted.
Reservations through the Douglas College Box Office - 527-5488.
Admission: General $8. Seniors/Students $5.

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