I began a Doctorate in Social Work Program at USC and am finishing up my first semester…..
One of my classes involved Leading Public Discourse. As this class is ending, I am reflecting on how has this class impacted me in the following areas?
My Career?
This class has pushed me out front! I realize that developing a public role is part of the process. Through the class, I have learned that to be impactful in any kind of social change today, it is all about messaging and communicating effectively through writing, all forms of social media and public speaking. I need to have a real comprehensive grasp on the issue from many perspectives, and then to hone clear, powerful and concise language that has maximum impact to engage, inform and energize others.
My Work on the Grand Challenges?
My grand challenge involves ensuring the healthy development of youth, along with addressing the widening income/opportunity gap today..These are huge and complex problems! This class helped me refine my primary message, to get clear what this is really about, what is the problem in a “nutshell”, and how to communicate this in an accurate, relevant and powerful way that engages others…
The Field of Social Work?
Well, this class expanded my view of the field, which was great. Social work is undergoing an evolution to stay relevant and effective today. Social work and social workers can do so much, in such creative and innovative ways..there is no limit to how we can attack and address social problems today. We need to step up and take more leadership.
Lisa Kring