NASW Student Resources

1. Why Join NASW

a. As a Social Work Student you are already part of a dynamic profession. Now is the time to join your professional organization! NASW is the largest and most recognized membership organization of professional Social Workers in the world, with 150,000 members across the nation. Being an NASW member means not only having access to our unique membership benefits but also promoting, developing, and strengthening the professional practice of social work. NASW is the leading organization in lobbying for social work student loan forgiveness, improving salaries for professional social workers, and monitoring social work licensing regulations. Don't wait until after graduation to join, why not promote the social work profession now?

b. Benefits:
i. Access to chapter committee meetings. Check here for a complete list of Maine committees.
ii. Advance your Career. Connect, learn, and network with Social Workers from across the state.
iii. Take part in MyNASW Community and MyNASW Student Community. Connect online with thousands of social workers from across the country. Create posts and reply to others' feeds.

iv. Attend training offered monthly by the chapter to enhance your educational background. Most are little to no cost for Student Members of NASW. 
v. >Protect your practice; Legal Resources and free ethical consultations.

c. Student Board Members: MSW members and BSW members. Each year one student from the state of Maine MSW and BSW programs is elected through an application process to sit on the NASW ME Board.

d. Joining NASW as a student is ¼ of the cost as a licensed social worker joining the association. This cost is grandfathered in when you maintain membership through licensure for two to three years at only a fraction of the regular price or membership. Click here to sign up now.

2. Advocacy
a. Action Alerts- Action alerts can be sent to your email address or found on the Action Alerts page of the chapter website. These inform you
about real time action that is needed for a social justice issue such as support or opposition a bill in the state House or Senate. This is a quick and easy way to advocate for human rights, remote sign in to hearings, and find petitions to sign that will help advance humanity with the click of a button.
b. Policy Issues- National’s list of Hopes for the Biden Administration Issues that should be addressed that are in support of the Social Work Profession's Core Values.
c. Voter Voice- NASW ME Voter voice platform allows you to keep up with the state legislature. The website outlines what bills the chapter and profession are in support or opposition of and which require action.

3. Find a Job
a. NASW chapters send out current job openings on a regular basis.
b. Click here for interviewing tricks, tips and questions.
c. Be prepared with knowledge of Social Work salaries by state and position. Projected growth in the number of Social Work professionals in practice.
d. Check out NASW Joblink here.

4. Licensing Test Prep
a. NASW Maine uses Social Work Exam Services to offer training to students of all levels. Prepare for your Bachelors, Masters and/or Clinical exam by using Social Work Examination Services (SWES).
NASW Members get a $25 discount, email Chris for the code - CMcLaughlin.naswme@socialworkers.org