They were an important support when the Program was begun in 1969 and continue to keep the students and faculty current on changes in their agencies and their practice. Many USF alumni are employed in the agencies in Sioux Falls and they and other social workers are often guest lecturers in social work classes. In addition, students volunteer as individuals and groups or classes in many of the Sioux Falls agencies. Students receive training for this after which they serve as VIC staff, serving people in need which are sometimes crisis needs. For this experience, students may choose to receive academic credit as a course in Crisis Intervention.
Students also have a wide choice of part time and summer jobs in Sioux Falls agencies.
Resumes which are used by graduates when applying for jobs, are developed throughout their college years by recording what the student has learned from each experience. The job placement of graduates has been consistently good as Sioux Falls' agencies try to meet the needs of a growing regional population. Dr. Salome Raheim, a visiting lecturer to the Social Work Program visits with field instructor Bill Barlow, President of the Sioux Empire United Way, after a field instructor's workshop about helping students become culturally competent.