Earvin Casciano is calling on men to join the social work field

Welcome to conversations with aspiring social workers. In this series, we will be highlighting the stories of aspiring social workers. 

If you would like to be highlighted in this series please contact Michelle at info@mswhelper.com

In this post, we are hearing from Earvin Casciano, who is a current MSW Candidate at Florida State University. He is an aspiring social work entrepreneur and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). He is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) and AmeriCorps alumnus. 

Earvin’s passions and ambitions stem from the stark gaps in social welfare systems across the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. He is committed to providing psychoeducation on Trauma- Informed Care, publishing research articles, telehealth and in person therapy, consulting, and providing career and research services to prospective MSW students - with particular emphasis on assisting more men join the social work field.

Let’s hear more about what he has to say! 

What are your goals as a social worker? 

I have so many goals for my social work career: I want to become one of the foremost experts in Trauma-informed Care (TIC). I want to publish and co-author research articles that advance our field. I want to become a director or equivalent of mental health services. I am in the process of making my own website that will focus on telehealth therapy, trauma-informed webinars, my podcast, a blog, or newsletter of my own, and career services for aspiring social workers. Ultimately, I want to place emphasis on helping men join the social work ranks. My podcast will go in-depth on that topic. 

My ultimate ambition is to lay down the steps where sustainable change that closes the systemic injustices across our society is met. But it isn’t work that I can do on my own. The problem is too large, but together that is another matter. 

What do you hope to accomplish through your podcast/social work career? 

Ultimately, I hope my podcast brings awareness to the systemic gaps in the US and the role not only social workers have to play in that, but everyone across every industry and country. I hope my podcast brings further conversations about uncomfortable topics. However, conversations are only the beginning. After the conversation, there must be action and follow up after the action. That is where the disconnect happens in policy. I hope that my podcast can unite like-minded people so that lasting sustainable change can happen. 

What do you wish the social work field was doing differently? 

I wish more men and people of color (POC) in general were in the field to make the profession more equitable. I wish the few men who are in social work weren’t overrepresented in leadership professions. There needs to be more opportunities for women to be in roles of leadership. We can learn so much. I want to see social work be seen for the essential role we provide in society. We don’t just work in the Department of Children and Families/Child Welfare! There is no field like social work in our world. 

Why is it important to encourage men to join the social work profession?

Too often the clients we serve in our communities are young men of color who don’t have role models that look like them. If we had more male social workers in general - and male social workers of color - perhaps mental health services would be more accessible to men who often face stigma and barriers when seeking help. We are human first, it is the greatest thing we all have in common no matter what our skin color is, where we come from, or what language we speak. 

In addition, if more men were joining the field of social work perhaps these men could serve as allies in the social work field, particularly when it comes to our reputation of being severely underpaid as social workers. The Gender Pay Gap is real, and men need to play a more active role in that fight.

What resources do you recommend for people who want to become a social worker? 

Look up the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics (COE). Here in the US, the Code of Ethics governs everything that social work professionals abide by. Do they speak to you? If so, social work might be the field for you. I’d also recommend listening to the Social Workers, Rise podcast, which you can find on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Podcasts and more. I myself was fortunate enough to be on an episode there discussing Military Social Work. 

What did you do to prepare for your MSW applications? 

I read several things. I read the book Days in the Lives of Social Workers by Linda May Grobman. The book opened my eyes to the many doors available to social workers. I wanted to be a therapist, so I sought an MSW program with a clinical concentration. But the biggest thing I did to prepare was join the Crisis Text Line as a crisis counselor. I used my Peace Corps network to find a social work mentor I talk to nearly daily. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I owe her everything. I spent hours researching the student loan process and the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans. And I did a lot of informational interviews. Those are interviews where you ask how the person started their career. I connected with many social workers across the US. At the end of the informational interview, you get a tangible path where you may want to go and a potential contact in the field that you can keep for life. I did everything from the end of 2019 until I started my MSW program in Fall 2022.

As a current MSW student, what tips do you have for prospective MSW students? 

Research the field to learn what options are available and what appeals to you the most. Focus your MSW program search and find programs that align with your goals in the field. Suppose you're interested in being a clinical therapist, then go clinical. If policy is appealing, go with an MSW program with a macro focus. At Florida State University, our other program concentration is social leadership. Use a spreadsheet to keep yourself organized. Many MSW programs ask for similar things, but the deadlines may differ, or the applications may ask for other things depending on the school. Use a spreadsheet to keep yourself on track and ensure a complete application. 

Also, Consider breaking down your MSW programs into safety, target, and reach schools. Which schools are ones you are confident you'll get into (safety)? You need to figure out which schools you ideally want to attend (target), or reach schools, the dream schools you have been obsessing over but are intimated by them. After that, apply to them all! Don't sell yourself short; believe in yourself. Michelle's services at MSW Helper are a fantastic place to start. Schools want to know why you want to attend their school over any other school. It's not just what the school can do for you but also what you can do for the school. Schools want students who will make them look excellent. Remember that. Above all, please give yourself plenty of time for each application and have several people review it. Bonus: Have a social worker  or current student read your personal statement. All  of our schools here in the US must be accredited by the US Counsel of Social Work Education (CSWE). Social workers will know generally what the programs look for.

Where can readers find and learn more about you?

I love connecting with future and prospective social workers and even social workers in general. This is a field of helpers and personable people. I’d be delighted to conduct informational interviews and empower you on your journey. 

I can be found on LinkedIn or you can send me an email to earvincasciano@yahoo.com - Stay tuned for more information on my podcast! 

Earvin Casciano

Earvin Casciano is a current MSW Candidate at Florida State University. He is an aspiring social work entrepreneur and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). He is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) and AmeriCorps alumnus. 

Earvin’s business ideas stem from the stark gaps in social welfare systems across the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. He is committed to providing psychoeducation on Trauma- Informed Care (TIC). Publishing research articles, telehealth and in person therapy, consulting, and providing career and research services to prospective MSW students with particular emphasis on assisting more men join the social work ranks. 

If you want to follow Earvin’s social work career, find out when his business launches, or would like to speak to him connect with him via LinkedIn or by email at earvincasciano@yahoo.com