How to Network Your Way into a Social Work Job or Practicum
Networking is one of the most effective ways to land a job or practicum in social work. Some estimates suggest that up to 70% of job opportunities are never posted publicly, creating a hidden job market that is only accessible through your network. Even when roles are advertised, having a referral can give you a serious advantage in the selection process. Anecdotally, I’ve landed nearly every job I’ve had through networking and referrals.
However, for many of us (myself included), networking can feel really intimidating. Reaching out to people you don’t know, asking for their time, and trying to make a good impression, without sounding awkward or pushy, can feel like a nightmare.
In this guide, I will walk you through how to approach networking in a way that feels more authentic and doable, even if you’re an introvert. We’ll cover practical tips, email templates, and insights based on what worked during my self-directed practicum, where networking helped me build professional connections, gain clarity, and uncover future opportunities.
Why Networking Matters in Social Work
I didn’t fully understand the power of networking in social work until I was completing my self-directed practicum (a practicum option at the University of Calgary that lets you create your own learning plan based on your interests). Focusing on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), I was completely overwhelmed by all the different ways I could learn about it, from books and research articles to paid training sessions, and wanted some insider information about what working with OCD is really like. I decided to reach out to some local therapists who specialize in OCD, and it turned out to be the best thing I could have done.
Through those conversations, I got pro tips on which trainings were actually worth the time and money, and what it’s really like to work with individuals experiencing OCD as a therapist. I learned that not everyone is cut out for this specialty, and I got a better sense of what qualities and values are needed for it to be a good fit. I learned what treatment modalities are most effective and the best ways to learn them. I was also referred to must-read research articles and books, which helped me prioritize my learning instead of trying to absorb everything at once.
Beyond gaining valuable inside information, those conversations gave me the opportunity to practice talking about myself, my clinical interests, my goals, and the kind of work I hope to do. Several people I spoke with asked about my plans for my second practicum and invited me to reach out again closer to the time, since they might have an opportunity for me. I made genuine connections, shared laughs, learned a ton, and began building my professional support system. I also received much-needed encouragement that helped me feel like I was on the right path at a time when I was feeling very overwhelmed. Those conversations didn’t just help me learn about OCD, they helped me understand what kind of clinician I want to be and the importance of building connections, even when you’re scared of putting yourself out there.
If you’re feeling nervous about reaching out to people and networking, I get it. I remember the feeling I had while writing my email outreach drafts, right before I hit send, and after, while waiting for replies. But every single person I spoke to was kind, generous with their time and knowledge, and genuinely excited to support a student who was interested in their work. I would have missed out on the best part of my self-directed practicum if I had let the fear of being awkward, bothering someone, or getting rejected stop me.
What I learned from this experience is that networking wasn’t about selling myself (something I hate doing), it was about showing up with curiosity, being open, and learning from people who have been where I want to go.
Tip: Start early. Even if you’re not looking for a practicum or job right now, start planting the seeds. The best time to build your network is before you need it.
Leverage Informational Interviews
When people hear the word “networking,” they often imagine busy networking events or walking up to a stranger to strike up a conversation. While these can be effective methods, the method I used during my self-directed practicum, the informational interview, is highly effective, less intimidating, and more introvert-friendly. It’s especially effective for MSW students and early-career professionals.
What is an informational interview?
An informational interview is a short, low-pressure conversation with someone who works in a field, role, or organization you’re curious about. The goal isn’t to ask for a job or placement (even if that’s what you're hoping for), it’s just to learn and build a relationship with someone more experienced than you. During the conversation, which typically lasts for 20-30 minutes, you ask questions to get a better sense of what their role is like, their career path, and any advice they might have for someone just starting out. These information-gathering conversations can take place over Zoom, on the phone, or in person (like grabbing a coffee).
What makes informational interviews so valuable is that they:
Help you explore different areas of social work, getting a real-world perspective on what it’s really like, giving you a sense of whether it’s right for you.
Give you insider insights you won’t find in job postings, program descriptions, or anywhere else (e.g., unexpected challenges, the emotional demands, intangible rewards, and the best path to get to your career goals).
Gives you the opportunity to build authentic relationships with people in the field, in a low-pressure atmosphere, where they know you’re a student or recent grad looking to understand the field better.
Can lead to future opportunities, sometimes even before they’re posted publicly, helping you tap into the hidden job market.
In social work, where relationships and building trust matter, these kinds of conversations can make a real difference in your career. And because you’re coming in with genuine curiosity and enthusiasm to learn, not asking for anything beyond their insight, most people will be happy to talk with you.
Finding the Right People to Network With
Figuring out who to reach out to can be overwhelming since there are so many options: alumni networks, professional associations, social media groups, community events, asking people you already know if there is anyone you should connect with, and so on. All of those can be great options, but, personally, I’ve had the most success reaching out to people I didn’t already know. In other words, cold networking.
While it can feel really intimidating to email a stranger out of the blue, it is also surprisingly effective. It can even be more effective than relying on your existing network. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), students who engaged in cold networking were almost twice as likely to land an internship compared to those who only reached out to personal connections (i.e., warm networking). One hypothesis about why this is the case is that the people in your circle tend to know about the same opportunities as you. It’s the looser connections, people in different networks and environments, who can open entirely new doors.
So, how do you find the right people to contact?
Start by thinking about what organizations, roles, or areas of practice interest you. Is there a local organization whose work you admire? A clinic focusing on a particular area that you’d love to learn more about? A particular population or treatment approach you’re interested in? A job title or role you’re curious about? Once you’ve brainstormed a list, you can search for local professionals working in those spaces. University alumni directories, LinkedIn, websites that connect people with local community services like 211, therapist directories such as Psychology Today, professional associations, and Google can be helpful. I personally found all my leads from the clinician directory on the International OCD Foundation’s website.
Once you’ve identified some individuals you’d like to contact, I recommend reaching out by email whenever possible. I know some people’s first instinct is to reach out on LinkedIn, since it’s known as a professional networking platform, but I’ve found it to be a less effective method. I’ve seen social work students put off sending outreach messages on LinkedIn because they feel they need to update their profile first. I also find you’re less likely to get a response on LinkedIn. Most professionals check their email daily, but they may only check their LinkedIn messages occasionally, if at all.
Reaching Out: How to Craft Effective Email Scripts
When you’re reaching out, keep your email short, friendly, and to the point. Most professionals are busy, so a concise email is much more likely to get a response than something long and overly detailed. You don’t need to share your entire backstory, just a quick introduction to who you are, why you’re reaching out, and a clear, respectful ask. I don’t recommend calling it an informational interview in your email, since that feels a bit too formal. You can simply ask if they are willing to have a brief chat about their career.
Below is the email template I used during my self-directed practicum for inspiration.
Example Email Template for Cold Outreach
Subject: MSW Student Interested in Your Work on XYZ
Hi [insert their name],
I hope you’re doing well! My name is [insert your name], and I’m an MSW student from [insert school] with an interest in [insert interest related to their work]. I came across your work at [insert organization] while [insert how you found them], and [insert a brief explanation of what genuinely interests you about their work; it can be as simple as how you were excited to find a local social worker who specializes in your area of interest].
Would you be open to a brief 20-minute chat, virtually or in person? I’d love to hear about your career journey in the field and any insights you might have for a social work student looking to specialize in [insert area of interest].
Thank you for your time and consideration,
[insert your name]
Show Up with Presence
Once someone agrees to meet with you, the best thing you can do is show up with presence. Yes, it helps to prepare, but you can also fall into the trap of over-preparing to the point that you lose the ability to be present in the conversation.
My best advice is to do a bit of prep ahead of time:
Read their bio and/or LinkedIn profile so you have a sense of their background.
Jot down a few thoughtful questions you’d love to ask (I recommend asking open-ended questions that aren’t Google-able, questions that tap into their unique experiences and perspectives).
Have a short “elevator pitch” ready that covers who you are, what you’re interested in, and why you’re reaching out.
But once the conversation starts, try to lean into the moment. Listen actively. Be curious. Let the person share their story. You don’t have to have all the “right” questions or say the perfect thing; this isn’t a job interview. You don’t need to carry the weight of the whole conversation. Letting them talk more than you do is ideal. Informational interviews are about gathering information so you can learn from their experiences, not proving yourself.
Remember, presence is a skill that will serve you well not just in networking, but as a social worker. This is an opportunity to practice showing up with presence, grounded and engaged, and trusting that a connection will unfold from there.
Nurturing Your Network: Follow-Up and Long-Term Engagement
Networking isn’t over when the conversation ends. What you do after the meeting can be just as important as the meeting itself.
As soon as you can, take a few minutes to reflect on what you learned and jot down any insights, names they mentioned, action items you want to follow up on, or things you want to remember. Then, send a thank-you email, ideally within 24 hours. Keep it short, specific, and sincere, thanking them again for their time and mentioning a specific takeaway from the conversation that really stood out to you or surprised you. You may also consider sending them a connection request on LinkedIn, if they are active on the platform.
Example Thank-You Email Template
Subject: Thank You
Hi [insert their name],
Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me today. I really appreciated hearing about your path into [their area of practice] and your experiences at [organization, if relevant].
Your insights about [insert a specific takeaway] gave me a lot to think about as I continue exploring this area of social work. I’ll definitely be looking into [insert next step or resource they mention, if applicable].
I look forward to staying in touch,
[insert your name]
Keeping in Touch
Building a professional network is about nurturing relationships over time. Here are a few ideas for how to stay connected after the informational interview:
Send occasional updates: If they referred you to someone or mentioned a resource you should check out, follow up with them once you do and let them know how it went.
Share your milestones: When you land a practicum, graduate, or land a job, send a quick note to share the news and thank them for the role they played in your journey. People love to hear that their advice helped someone.
Engage on LinkedIn: If they post something, comment thoughtfully or send a quick message to say you enjoyed it.
Pay it forward: If you come across a relevant resource or opportunity that they might find interesting, send it their way.
Tip: There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for how often you should stay in touch, but if you’d like to follow up down the road, it can be helpful to set a reminder in your calendar. That way, you don’t forget.
Final Thoughts
Networking isn’t about pitching yourself or collecting contacts, it’s about building genuine connections. When you approach people with curiosity, humility, and respect, good things tend to happen. Most social workers are more than happy to support students and recent grads; we like helping people, it’s in our nature! As long as you’re polite, appreciative, and mindful of their time, you’ll likely be met with kindness and generosity.
Whether you’re hoping to clarify your career direction, explore a specific area of practice, or open the door to future opportunities, networking can be a powerful tool in your social work journey. Start early and reach out a genuine interest in others’ stories and wisdom. And remember, networking is a two-way street. One day, you’ll be the person a student or recent grad reaches out to for guidance, giving you a chance to pay it forward.
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