The New Social Worker Vol. 19, No. 4, Fall 2012 | Page 23

rently face. Researching the recruitment
and retention of American Indian/Alaskan Native college students has motivated us to develop a deeper connection
with this population and our heritage
within it. Through this research project, I
( Justin) found that I enjoy working with
and learning about diverse populations.
It was a worthwhile experience. I feel all
aspiring social workers should not pass
up such an invaluable opportunity to
increase their cultural competence.
6. Letters of Reference

Most MSW programs require applicants for admission to have three
letters of recommendation. Professors are
a great source to draw upon for reference letters. Nevertheless, most students
have had limited, if any, out of classroom
conversation with their faculty. Thus, it
is difficult to receive a faculty reference
that will share the student’s knowledge,
commitment, and lessons learned during the research process. Involvement
in research projects provides a great
opportunity for the students to spend
the time with faculty to build a “letter of
recommendation worthy relationship.”
I (Lucas) was able to receive two letters
of recommendation from my research
advisors. These letters were thorough
and complete, because I had the time to
build a relationship with the referees and
they were able to highlight my positive
qualities as a researcher.
7. Potential To Get Published

Few undergraduates are co-authors of
a published journal article. We are on the
verge of claiming that title, as the manuscript produced from the research is close
to submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
If undergraduates become published
co-authors, they have the knowledge that
they have accomplished something many
students do not even attempt until they
are in graduate school. It should be noted
that not all research projects will result in
publication, but the opportunity is there.
We feel fortunate that we could be published co-authors so early in our careers.
I (Lucas) hope to become a professor one
day, so having a journal article on my
résumé as an undergraduate is a huge
asset. Students interested in this potential
benefit should approach professors and
ask if they need research assistants for any
of their projects.

8. Conferences

The idea of attending a professional
social work conference may not appeal
to some undergraduate students, but it
is a great opportunity. Undergraduate
researchers may be given the opportunity to co-present their research at
professional conferences. This gives the
student a chance to stand up in front of
professional social workers and faculty to
explain research findings. It’s also a good
chance to get rid of some of the public
speaking “nerves” that students have, because audiences at conferences are usually welcoming to college students. We
were given the opportunity to present at
three different professional conferences.
The experience in presenting will help
us immensely in graduate school and as
professionals when audiences will have
higher expectations.
9. Résumé

Students need to engage in activities
that will convince graduate schools and
employers that it would be a mistake on
their part not to choose them. A student’s
chances will improve if he or she can
proudly put “Research” beside a bullet point. When graduate schools come
across an applicant who committed to
research, they most likely see someone
that is prepared to take on the rigors of
graduate-level coursework. Employers
will probably note that students took the
initiative to apply their academic skills to
a real world issue, and expect that they
can transition well into the workplace. As
I ( Justin) spoke to representatives from
graduate schools, I found them to be
impressed that I had conducted research
and presented it a number of times at
conferences. Once they knew what I had
accomplished, it felt more like they were
trying to convince me to come to their
program, not me trying to convince them
why I should be accepted. There are few
rock solid means to prevent a résumé
from being passed over, so students
should strongly consider involvement in
research.

ence and makes you feel warm and fuzzy
inside, it doesn’t pay for tuition, bills,
and textbooks. Undergraduate research
can be a great way to earn money doing
something that actually relates to social
work. Not all research jobs pay money,
but when they do, it is a great addition to
the previously mentioned benefits. Your
earnings may equal that of a part-time
job, allow for more independent time
management, and come with developing critical thinking, development of
research knowledge, skills, and experience. We were able to receive a grant
that paid us $1,000 a semester. We would
have participated in a research project
voluntarily, but the income really helped
us. For an undergraduate social work
student looking for a job, a paid research
position is one of the best available.
Lucas J. Gogliotti, BASW, was a senior
at Michigan State University in the School
of Social Work at the time this article was
written. He is now a student in the MSW
program at the University of Michigan. Lucas
served as the BSW student representative on
the NASW-MI Board of Directors.
Justin J. Pung, BASW, was a senior at Michigan State University in the School of Social
Work at the time of this writing. He is now
pursuing an MSW degree at Loyola University Chicago. He was Secretary/Treasurer for
MSU’s Phi Alpha Chapter.
Suzanne L. Cross, Ph.D., ACSW, LMSW,
is an associate professor at Michigan State
University School of Social Work. She enjoys
working with students on research projects to
increase and broaden their learning experiences. Her research interests include historical
trauma, grand families, student recruitment
and retention, and collaboration with tribal
nations. Dr. Cross was selected for the 2012
Mit Joyner Gerontology Award for her work
with American Indian elders.

Are you looking for a
social work job?
Or looking to hire a
professional social worker?

10. Potential To Earn Money

As most undergraduate social work
students know, a majority of the jobs
that a student can get outside of flipping
burgers are volunteer positions. Even
though volunteering ?2?V&???rW?W&???f?6?B?W"7FFR??b?F?R?'@?????R??"&?&C???6?6??v?&???&&???6???F?R?Wr6?6??v?&?W ??f??# ??#??