For Students

IASWG believes in social group work's practical and powerful ways to bring people together -- in small and large groups -- to make a difference for individuals, local communities, and across the world. This includes students! We hope that you will join us for this year's symposium to meet other students interested in group work.

Please find below some of the activities planned this year for undergraduate and graduate students.

1) Pre-Symposium Institute 

Nondeliberative (experiential/activity-based) Approaches to Group Work: An Introduction for Students
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 (2:00pm - 5:30pm ET) - Presenter: Christian Itin

This highly experiential workshop will allow students to play with connecting together through purposeful activity in a nondeliberative approach. The theoretical, historical, and philosophical underpinning of nondeliberative group work will be explored, and participants will be engaged in activities that can be used in classes, meetings, and clinical contexts. Participants will come away with practical skills, tools, and resources. There is no cost for students to participate in this institute. Contact Emily at [email protected] to register.

2) Student Meetups

Meet other students from around the world during two social sessions on Wednesday, June 11, 4:30pm to 5:30pm ET and Thursday, June 12, 7:30am to 8:00am ET.

3) Volunteer Opportunities 

Student volunteers are the heart, hands, and soul of the IASWG symposium. IASWG will select around 20 student volunteers to perform tasks related to session oversight, zoom tech support, and translation services. In exchange for your time and effort, volunteer's symposium registration fee will be waived. 

In order to be considered for a volunteer assignment, applicants MUST:

• Be enrolled in a Community Services, BSW or MSW program or be a Community Services, BSW or MSW recent grad who graduated in either December 2024 or May 2025
• Be a current IASWG student member (can join once your volunteer status as been confirmed)
• Be willing to be an active and engaged volunteer for at least 2 half-day volunteer shifts
• Attend a volunteer orientation session before the symposium

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Please note, you must be a member of IASWG to be able to serve as a volunteer for the symposium. Once you are notified about your volunteer application status, we request that you join as a student member and register for the symposium as a volunteer before May 1st, 2025. 

If you have any questions, please contact Emily, the Volunteer Coordinator, via email at [email protected], who is the primary point of contact before and during the symposium.