DOUGLAS COLLEGE

ARCHIVES

Mad Hatter Page 3

 

"Where | was mostly taking blood tests
before, now I'll be involved with people
in a much more direct way," Mackintosh
says. "| can really see it helping other
people, and that's what | have always wan-:
ted to do."

Still other students, like Antoinette
Lebrun, do not have the time to take the
full-time program and are only registered
part-time. While Antionette is in her
second semester now, she will not start

her practicum work until September.

"| really don't mind missing the practi-
cums now because | feel |'m leaving myself |
open to choose the type of work | want
after finishing more classes and some

practicum," Lebrun says.
Very Generic Program

The instructors appreciate this situation
and attitude because of the 'volatile'
marketplace in social service work,
Kirkham says. "That's also why we have a
very generic program which teaches basic
knowledge, practical skills and attitudes
required to do an effective job," she adds,

The program begins with an introduction to
social service systems. A course examines
the principle of 'normalizaiton' and gives;
students a foundation to work with clients
to help encourage an individual's poten-
tial.

Other courses look at the human life
cycle, how to become a skilled helper,
current legislation regarding social
services, what resources are available,
group helping skills, how to help a client
become employable, and the skills needed to
work as a Financial Assistance Worker with
The Ministry of Human Resources.

 

1

Curriculum Constantly Modified

"Some.of the students in our program are
not actually seeking employment in the
field," Shebib says. "These people are
more interested in becoming 'professional

 

| Classes are taught

volunteers!"

And to help the students be prepared to
handle current demands and to understand
trends, the curriculum is constantly being
modified to place emphasis on such issues
as gerontology, multi-culturalism, and
social service entrepreneurship.

"Our graduates tell us we should include
more sophisticated marketing skills to
help the agencies publicize their services
and more effectively access the phi lan-
thropic dollar," Kirkham says.

"The Ministry is hiring most of our
graduates," Shebib says. "This past
December we received a lot of calls from
them after our graduate list was exhausted
and now they want even more."

Douglas Seeking Experienced Applicants
With this strong demand of Community Social
Service Workers, Douglas College is seeking
experienced applicants for the fall semes-
ter. Up to 40 students (part-time and fulF
time) will be enrolled this September.

In May, applicants will be given group and
individual interviews to determine their
suitability and readiness for the program
and then seats will be given out according
to the date of application.

at the New Westminster
campus, with practicums available almost
anywhere in the lower mainland - from
Vancouver to Langley and Maple Ridge.

Recently, Renee, a 1984 graduate and single
parent, successfuly competed for a job with
The Federal Indian Affairs Department arid
she will soon be moving to Fort St. John

; with her young daughter to assuma a

$24,000 a year position.

After ten years of service to the college

community, the Community Social Service

is finding its strongest support from its

graduates and the agency employers. These
people can become active members of the