Studying in a Developmental Service Worker (DSW) program is a great way to prepare yourself for rewarding careers helping people who are living with developmental disabilities. Possibilities include working as a development assistant, special needs worker, and counselor, to name just a few examples.
However, not all training programs are equal for readying you for these roles. For the best odds of future success, it’s important to enrol in a program that uses effective training methods, and is able to help you progress from student to professional efficiently. Curious about what you should look for? Here are a few attributes that great Developmental Service Worker training programs have.
Look For a Program That Offers Hands-On Training in Its DSW Courses
Evidence suggests that active participation is more effective than lectures at helping students understand course material. For that reason, it’s a good idea to choose a DSW program that offers many opportunities to receive hands-on training, and participate in active work.
The Developmental Service Worker training program at Medix College includes a lot of this kind of hands-on training. You’ll spend time in well-equipped laboratory and clinical settings, where you’ll learn to complete the practical work that will be required of you in your future career. This includes assisting individuals with physical disabilities, intervening in crisis situations, promoting personal care skills, and more. By the time your training is complete, you’ll have great, practical experience with the skills that healthcare employers look for.
Great Developmental Service Worker Training Programs Offer Practicum Components
Today’s employers value and seek candidates that have some relevant work experience. That’s why it’s a great idea to enrol in a Developmental Service Worker school that includes a practicum component. In a practicum, you will put your training to work for a relevant employer as part of your curriculum, bolstering your resume and receiving school credit at the same time.
All students in our developmental service worker program complete a practicum as part of their studies. You can work in a variety of locations—community facilities, residential facilities, and educational institutions are a few examples—and you can expect to offer various DSW services during that time. Some tasks you may be responsible for include supporting and encouraging clients, and helping them develop skills to improve their mental, emotional, and physical health, among others.
Completing a practicum allows you to add real-world, valuable experience to your resume before you even complete your training, and get a real feel for what it’s like to work in your field. This can give you a competitive edge when you look to begin your career.
Look For a School That Offers Employment Assistance to Students & Graduates
Once you’ve completed your career training, it will be time to begin the process of finding job opportunities, applying to openings, and interviewing to be hired. To improve your odds of finding a great job, it’s a good idea to enrol in a school that will actively help you with this process.
Our career services can give you an advantage in looking for and landing a great position at the end of your developmental service worker studies. Services include employment counseling, help with your job search, assistance with crafting resumes, and coaching to help you handle job interviews effectively. What’s more, we are often notified about new openings before they are posted to the public, and will pass that information along to students and recent graduates.
When choosing a developmental service worker training program, choose something that offers hands-on instruction, a practicum component, and assistance with finding a great career after you finish. This will help you gain the skills and experience to find a good career—and extra advantages in the job search process too.
Looking for a school that offers great DSW courses and student support?
Visit Medix College to learn why our school is a great choice for you.
