Webinar Wednesday Recap: Social Service Worker
Last week, we hosted a Webinar Wednesday session highlighting Fleming College’s Social Service Worker program. If you couldn’t join us live, don’t worry. Below are the key takeaways from the session, along with the full webinar recording to watch at your convenience.
During the webinar, prospective students connected with Shannon Bellamy from Student Recruitment and Kirstin Parry, who teaches in the Social Service Worker program. With more than 20 years of teaching experience and nearly three decades working as a social worker, Kirstin shared what students can expect from the program, the rewarding career opportunities available after graduation, and how Fleming prepares graduates to make a meaningful difference in their communities.
Why Study Social Service Worker at Fleming?
Our Social Service Worker program prepares students to support individuals, families, groups, and communities facing a wide range of personal and social challenges. Through a combination of classroom learning, simulations, experiential opportunities, and field placement, students develop the practical skills and professional confidence needed to begin a rewarding career in community services.
As a regulated profession in Ontario, Social Service Workers play an essential role in supporting people through advocacy, counselling, crisis intervention, community development, and case management across a variety of health and social service settings.
THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. A Hands-on Program Build Around Real-World Practice
Fleming’s Social Service Worker program blends theory with extensive practical learning from the very beginning. Students participate in counselling role plays, group facilitation exercises, technical simulations in the Home Lab, and experiential projects that mirror real workplace situations.
Throughout the program, students build interviewing, assessment, documentation, advocacy, and communication skills while learning directly from faculty who continue to work in the field. The program culminates in a 525-hour field placement, giving students the opportunity to apply everything they’ve learned in a professional setting before graduating.
2. Flexible Learning with Strong Student Support
The Social Service Worker program follows a hybrid delivery model that combines in-person learning with online and independent coursework. Students complete seven courses per semester, with lectures delivered both virtually and on campus, while seminars and labs provide opportunities for interactive, hands-on learning in smaller groups.
Faculty emphasize collaboration, professionalism, and student success, creating a supportive learning environment where students build strong relationships with classmates and instructors while developing the confidence needed for placement and future employment.
3. Diverse Career Opportunities and Pathways Beyond Graduation
Graduates enter a profession with strong employment demand across Ontario. Social Service Workers find careers in community agencies, healthcare organizations, child welfare, mental health and addictions, corrections, housing services, schools, crisis response, government agencies, and many other settings.
The program also offers opportunities to expand your education through Fleming’s Dual Diploma with the Mental Health and Addiction Worker program, the Indigenous Perspectives Designation, and transfer pathways to Bachelor of Social Work degrees at several universities, including Trent University. According to the most recent Ontario College Student Experience Survey, 93% of Fleming graduates are employed in a related field, demonstrating the strong career outcomes for graduates.
CHECK OUT THE FULL WEBINAR:
HAVE QUESTIONS OR WANT TO LEARN MORE?
If you’re passionate about helping others and making a positive impact in your community, Fleming’s Social Service Worker program could be the perfect fit. Our Student Recruitment team and program faculty are here to answer your questions, discuss career opportunities, and help you explore your next steps.
Be sure to check out our upcoming Webinar Wednesday sessions to learn more about the wide range of programs available at Fleming College.
CAN’T MAKE A LIVE WEBINAR WEDNESDAY EVENT?
No problem! We’ll save video recordings on Fleming’s official YouTube channel. And don’t worry, Program Coordinators are always available to answer your questions!
For more information about Webinar Wednesdays, please contact Student Recruitment.