<![CDATA[Niruta Publications - Careers in Social Work]]>

<![CDATA[Niruta Publications - Careers in Social Work]]>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:36:38 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Interview with Dharmavaram Sudhakar]]>Mon, 06 Jun 2016 13:17:14 GMThttps://www.nirutapublications.org/careers-in-social-work/interview-with-dharmavaram-sudhakar

Dharmavaram Sudhakar

1. Introduction about your job / career, define your career?
Ans: Basically I am a professional social worker working for development sector since last 20 years

Currently I am working for GMR Group in their CSR arm as the Program Leader, looking after the community services for the thrust areas viz. Education, Health, Livelihoods
My career in development sector is quite unique as I had worked for tribal development, urban development, women empowerment, livelihoods, public health, research and CSR in different intervals and executed varied interventions

2. Qualification required for this job?
Ans: MSW and above (Any other, Pl. specify)
I did my PG in Social work and also done Graduation in Law as a value edition

3. Personal qualities / skills required for this job?
Ans: Basically it requires proper attitude viz. commitment, professional competence, empathy, and dedication to support the needy / clientele

In GMR group the employees led by a series of values and believe and constant trainings to have continuous learning.
The career in development /CSR sector needs the skills viz. Facilitation, negotiation, advocacy, enabling, training, communication, conflict resolution, research skills & Multi stakeholders relationship management

4. Best aspects of this job?
Ans: Serving the communities and win-win situation in CSR front & attaining sustainable development with ethical business.

5. Challenging aspects of this job?
Ans: Continuous conflicts may arise sometimes with project affected communities, driving them towards development stride it & building ownership

6. Your achievements?
Ans: Its several fronts in entire career; some of them could be :

Nurturing the Best practices and scaling (replicating) in Nutrition sector for entire Andhra Pradesh
Promoting livelihoods mandate in urban sector for 4 districts in Andhra Pradesh
Wining the hearts of around 50000 project affected communities in East Godavari district as part of present portfolio in GMRVF

7. Your secret of success in your career?
Ans:  Basically its commitment and dedication to work for the profession & attempting for sustainable interventions & much more thing is continuous learning.

8. Give us some interesting accounts of your academic /education days?
Ans:  I received gold medal in SSC, stood III rank in MSW (University)

9. How did you plan your career?
Ans:  It’s a continuous effort to work in different portfolios with varied hierarchies in the sectors viz. Tribal, Urban, Rural development and community organization

10. Describe your experience of your first day at work in your first job?
Ans: Its’ a wonderful one in tribal area to have observation of habitats of Tribal folks and learning their skills to combat the issues

11. Your major achievements have been in ……………. which opportunities steered you on that path?
Ans: Its’ Community engagement and training them in several fronts; the opportunities to work with APUSP, CARE India and GMR has been provided me to equip with much more strengths and imparted capacities

12. Being a leader / social worker yourself what do you think you possess as a leader/social worker that sets you apart from other leaders?
Ans:  Its’ nothing but the empathy and providing enabling environment.

13. How as a leader / social worker, do you go about developing yourself today?
Ans:   Knowledge must imparted as wisdom and wisdom would drive us to get more results by means of proper activity planning and vision to achieve results / outcomes.

14. What keeps you so passionate about working in social work?
Ans: It’s basically a self help process and its nitty-gritty’s viz. making communities self reliant, self sustenance, with self regulating systems, made me more passion to continue in the field of social work.

15. What are your current ambitions for the next phase in your life /career?
Ans: I want to prove myself as a best professional in CSR sector and integrate with other aspects like, corporate relations, corporate communications, & support sustained ethical business practice.

16. Your reading. How this does helps you in your personal and professional life?
Ans:  Its’ a way of observing several aspects in the field and in personal front. I do read so of the Management books and keep updating in my professional approaches viz. CSR, Development sector, and people’s management. I also possessive towards improving my wisdom in spiritual aspects which also helps me to develop my knowledge and work style; currently I am pursuing PhD in Climate science which is related to fishers community and impacting their overall life.

17. What are your interest / hobbies?
Ans: My interests are reading spiritual and technical books related to my job / career. I am a student of Sri Vishista Advita and psychology and always intents to update my knowledge; basically my hobbies are reading books and watching TV occasionally.

18. A family bonding experience ……………….?
Ans: Though I hails from a Joint family, later I am living in a nuclear setting ; though I relates myself a good family member I am not a strong person in the possessiveness which got triggered in my after 42 years of my life.

19. Tips for aspiring professional social workers?
Ans: Need to have / improve or cultivate the following traits (irrespective of innate instincts)

Commitment
Dedication to field and
Regular persuasion
Technical updation
Self imposed discipline, communication, togetherness would support a lot
Advocacy, Mentoring and enabling skills are much needed

20. Bitter experience in your career?
Ans   When management won’t understand our stands and our strategies it gives us more agony which may hamper us in to bitter experience.

21. How do you relate with other professions and professionals?
Ans: Now a days the role of social workers is much related and needed coordinated effort with other professions and professionals based on the project we are working; sometimes we may have work with several other professionals based on the need and project rollout.

22. What is your opinion about the need for social workers association?
Ans:  It’s very much needed but formulate the objectives on broad base. Ensure no egos, internal politics etc; if thy work in a positive / professional ways and means it would be useful for several fora and different clientele.

23. Not all social workers are documenting their experiences in their profession, can you please throw some light on it.
Ans: Now a day’s every organization / project must have the documentation / reporting and recording systems must be placed. Knowledge management is key to success and it would relates to next generations to continue, review and reserve for best possible opportunities for the future

24. What are the most challenging aspects of your job/career?
Ans:  They are :

Stakeholders management
Conflict resolution
Crisis management
Technical updation and dissemination through trainings etc

25. How do you balance career and other aspects of your life?
Ans:   It’s a way of commitment and sometimes sacrifices of personal life are needed which may be essential for the professional life to flourish.

26. What advice do you have for someone contemplating a career in social work in a professional position similar to your current position?
Ans:   it’s a continuous perseverance in the management aspects and inclined to learn and lead the teams to achieve the goals / objectives said in the project design.

27. What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
Ans:  I was the best regional officer in the APUSP project funded by DFID, and I was praised for best Replication officer for replicating the nutrition protocols first time in India and scaling to entire Andhra region being a national member (while I was working with CARE India for their INHP Project)

28. How did you first become interested in your current professional position?
Ans:  It’s a part of development sector later I rolled out to CSR field and nurtured and learnt similar projects and dealt with Standard operating procedures etc.

Thanks & regards,
Dharmavaram Sudhakar

Interviewed by:
Dr. Sreenivasa Reddy D
Associate Editor
Careers in Social Work

]]><![CDATA[Mr. C. Narayana Reddy]]>Mon, 06 Jun 2016 13:12:38 GMThttps://www.nirutapublications.org/careers-in-social-work/mr-c-narayana-reddy1. Introduction about your job / career, define your career?
Ans: I Mr. C. Narayana Reddy have completed Masters Degree in Social work in 1998 from Sri Krishna Devaraya University, Ananthapuramu. After completion of my course I got a golden chance in working in United Nations Development Program (UNPD) – South Asian Poverty Alleviation Program as Community Coordinator at Kurnool district. In my 3 year tenure in UNDP I have promoted more than 300 Self Help Groups, 35 Village level federations and one Mandal samakyas as part of promotion of community based organizations of the poor with an aim of poverty eradication. And also Innovated Micro Credit Plan to improve the livelihoods of the poor through SHGs and Federation.

Later I worked with APMAS (A reputed national level Capacity building organization of the SHG movement and community based inclusive interventions, through infusing qualitative, structural and sustained growth) as a Joint Director based at Ananthapuramu. Joined as Deputy District Manager and promoted as Joint Director i.e. from level 4 to Level 2 in the span of 5 years. The following are the main responsibilities of the job:

Develop Partnerships with Self help Promoting institutions (SHPIs) such as District Rural Development Agencies, IKP, District Water Management Agencies, Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Area (MEPMA)
Support to SHPIs in strengthening of community Based organizations, Capacity building to staff and Institutions
Managing multiple teams and fulfilling the reporting modalities of the organization
Conduct Capacity Building events on Book keeping, Auditing, Financial Management, Participatory Training Methodologies (PTM)
Implementation of Integrated Watershed Management Program as Project Implementing Agency

2. Qualification required for this job?
Ans:

Master’s Degree in Social Work/ Social Science/ Rural Management/ Rural Development
Should be specialized in social mobilization, designing and conducting the Capacity building program and
Having more than 5 years of experience in development with special focus on strengthening of community based organizations.

3. Personal qualities / skills required for this job?
Ans:

Good communication skills
Participatory training and facilitation skills
Effective Networking and Relationship building skills with different stakeholders
Inter and intra personal communication skills and should be a good team player
Knowledge on Line departments and convergence
Willingness for field work and extensive travel
Team work, Leadership and conflict resolution skills
Good and quick learner

4. Best aspects of this job?
Ans:

Working with community and women especially with poor and disadvantaged section
Better package and other benefits
Dynamic board, leadership
Scope for learning and exposure both national and international
Flexibility and scope for innovation.
Feedback mechanism and more focus on individual growth

5. Challenging aspects of this job?
Ans:

Working with Bureaucrats and convincing them as per vision and mission of the APMAS
Sensitizing the grass route level employees
Multiple responsibilities and targets of the assigned job
Managing multiple teams and dynamics
Managing partnerships with government departments
Government policies relating to the Self help movement

6. Your achievements?
Ans:

Planning and Implementation of two Integrated Watershed Management Program – IWMP projects as PIA and positioned APMAS in Second place in the state and also received best performance awards from State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) and district administration.
Initiated & Streamlined APMAS Operations in 4 districts of AP and one district in Orissa i.e. Koraput
Coordinated and rendered services of APMAS to District officials and successfully delivered services as per 6 Memorandum of Understandings with District Rural Development Agencies, Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) and District Water Management Agency
Developed 13 training modules on Book keeping & Auditing, Financial Management, Financial literacy, Self Help Groups Federation concepts, Financial literacy, Mutually Aided Cooperative societies etc
Developed district Capacity Building strategy for the strengthening of SHGs in Kadapa district
Facilitated in collaboration with DRDA- Kadapa in conducting 20 Batches of Animators training program on institutional aspects and Book keeping
Conducted 12 batches of Training of Trainers program on Participatory Training Methods for Government and NGO staff
Conducted 16 Batches training program to Master Book keepers on SHG and Federation Book keeping
Organized 8 Training program to Agriculture department (Extension officers) on Rythu Mithra Group concepts
Supported IKP in conducting training programs for CCs in different concepts - 12 batches at Kadapa, West Godavari and Kurnool
Conducted two district level workshops on GO- NGO collaboration
Capacity Building needs assessment to Rural Development Trust (A reputed NGO) staff and conducted 4 Batches training programs to Community Organizers on Participatory Training Methodologies and on concept of Sasyamitra Group

UNDP/ SPAP & IKP

Promoted more than 300 Self Help Groups, 35 Village level federation and one Mandal samakya and Mahila Bank at Dhone of Kurnool district
Innovated Micro Credit Plan to improve the livelihoods of the poor through SHGs and Federation. Mobilized funds from Banks and other government agencies

7. Your secret of success in your career?
Ans:
      Hard working
      Quick learning and able to grasp field realities quickly
      Inter and intra communication skills
      Ability to work with diversified groups
      Training skills
      Presentation and documentation skills

8. Give us some interesting accounts of your academic /education days?
Ans: I really enjoyed the both work and hospitality provided by the COROMANDEL FERTILIZERS LTD, VIZAG during the block field work placement. The guidance provided by my beloved Prof. Muralidharudu and Munili Darshan were very helpful in brushing my career plan.

9. How did you plan your career?
Ans:   I planned my career rightly with the guidance and support provided by my colleges especially CS REDDY, CEO – APMAS and my immediate supervisor Anjaneyulu. Ballem. I have improved my communication skills especially writing skills in English and computer skills which are crucial for further career development.

10. Describe your experience of your first day at work in your first job?
Ans: My first appointment was with UNDP – SAPAP at Dhone mandal of Kurnool District as community Coordinator. I faced very difficult situation while I was interacting with Self Help groups due to the lack of knowledge on SHG movement and the members asked me to settle the malpractices done by the book keepers. Some what I was embarrassed and confused about what to do on that situation. As per my superior suggestion, I have stayed in another village for 15 days at a stretch to understand the process and functioning of SHGs with the help of local Community Volunteer. I used to observe the procedure what Community Volunteer is doing and able to grasp the things. I used to follow my colleague to learn the work while on work.

11. Your major achievements have been in ……………. which opportunities steered you on that path?
Ans:

Facilitation skills for organizing workshops on different themes at all levels
Training skills and able to conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) for Primary and Secondary stake holders in the development sector
Accounting and Book keeping both designing & conducting training programs
Team work and team building

12. Being a leader / social worker yourself what do you think you possess as a leader/social worker that sets you apart from other leaders?
Ans: I have good understanding about the society and able to grasp things very quickly and also I am good at interpersonal and intra personal skills.

13. How as a leader / social worker, do you go about developing yourself today?
Ans:

As a social worker I would like to develop more understanding about the new trends in development, research and analytical skills.
I would like to acquire some more professional knowledge especially on management side
Need to equip documentation and case study preparation skills

14. What keeps you so passionate about working in social work?
Ans

Good recognition in the society
Job satisfaction and personal satisfaction on contribution to the society
Influencing the policy makers on pro poor initiates

15. What are your current ambitions for the next phase in your life /career?
Ans: I would like to shift from my present position to the teaching side and become Professor of Social Work and develop new trends in social work profession

16. Your reading. How this does helps you in your personal and professional life?
Ans: Certainly reading and continuous learning is very vital for both professional and personal life. I have acquired new skills especially training skills through reading.

Reading gives comprehensive knowledge about the concepts of social problems, profession and life. I am confident to say that Reading is the secret of my success.

17. What are your interest / hobbies?
Ans:

Reading news papers and magazines
Watching movies and Cricket
Travelling to new places
Develop social contacts, and
Working with the downtrodden people

18. A family bonding experience ……………….?
Ans: I am very lucky to have a family, which understands my profession and providing reasonably good support in achieving my professional goals. But I could not able to spend much time with the family as my profession requires frequent travelling

19. Tips for aspiring professional social workers?
Ans: The following are the tips for aspiring professional social workers.

Thorough understanding on development aspects and current trends
Grip on subject is mandatory
Maintain good relationship peers and others social work professionals in the field
Comprehensive understanding on poverty
Working knowledge of MS office
Excellent reading, writing and communication skills in English
Information analysis and management skills
Openness to feedback and ready to change behaviors as per feedback

20. Bitter experience in your career?
Ans: I could not able to reveal the bitter experience due to the organizational ethics

21. How do you relate with other professions and professionals?
Ans: Being a social work professional we need to establish good relations with other professional to equip new skills and to get required support for professional achievements

22. What is your opinion about the need for social workers association?
Ans: Yes, we require social work association for both experience sharing and improve the career path. The association should focus more on creating awareness about the profession and finding the suitable jobs for the professionals

23. Not all social workers are documenting their experiences in their profession, can you please throw some light on it.
Ans: Yes, many social workers are poor in documentation and are not able to share their experiences due to lack of communication skills. The social work association should focus on these aspects and provide space for ventilating their feelings and experiences.

24. What are the most challenging aspects of your job/career?
Ans:

Coping with new trends in development
Lack of HR policy and fringe benefits to social workers in many NGOs
Working with government officials and convincing them towards the pro poor policies

25. How do you balance career and other aspects of your life?
Ans: Planning and using time optimally is the only answer for balancing the career and other aspects of life.

26. What advice do you have for someone contemplating a career in social work in a professional position similar to your current position?
Ans: The answer is already addressed in question no. 19

27. What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
Ans:

Better pay and perks
Flexibility
Good recognition

Dr. Sreenivasa Reddy
Editorial member
Careers in Social work

]]><![CDATA[State Team Leader - AP Technical Agency- ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP)]]>Mon, 06 Jun 2016 13:06:20 GMThttps://www.nirutapublications.org/careers-in-social-work/interview-with-david-r-damara

David R. Damara

1. Introduction about your job / career, define your career?
Ans: My name is David R Damara and I have a Masters degree in Social Work (1994) from Osmania University and MPhil in Social Work (1998) from Delhi University.

I have around 17 years of programme management experience in public health and development sector. I am currently engaged with Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) as State Team Leader – Technical Assistance in a large nutrition systems strengthening project (ICDS programme which is implemented by Women Development and Child Welfare Department) supported by World Bank. For the last five years, I have been holding leadership responsibilities in developing and implementing holistic interventions in areas like child health, and populations most-at-risk of HIV. Before this job, I worked with FHI360 (Family Health International) for over nine years. At FHI360, I worked as a Programme Officer, Programme Manager and later as Associate Director, leading a large, comprehensive program for HIV affected children and their families in the state of Andhra Pradesh (AP). Prior to FHI 360, I worked with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), where I was instrumental in designing the HIV/AIDS strategy for South India. Before CRS, I worked with Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT) and managed HIV prevention programs for most-at-risk populations.

I started my career with a grass root level NGO in Hyderabad working on issues related to street children, slum communities and women development.

2. How did you first become interested in your current professional position?
Ans: After my graduation

3. Qualification required for this job?
Ans: Master’s in Social Work is one of the required qualifications, but I have colleagues from various backgrounds. These include Master’s in any of the Social Science subjects (Sociology, Psychology, Rural Development etc), MBA, Medicine with nearly 10 years experience in Public Health, Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation etc.

4. Personal qualities / skills required for this job?
Ans: Senior level responsibilities only come with experience. Every single year adds to your profile and experience at every level counts. However, there are some skills that are expected. Over the period of my working years, I have developed the following skills:

Program management – conversant with project life cycle approach, contract and grant management, and resultsmanagement
gency representation
Resource Mobilization including development of bid documents
Stakeholder and partnership management
Government relations
Sustainability and transition management
Advocacy
Strategic planning
Capacity building
Donor reporting
Team building and team management
Community mobilization
Human resource management
Problem solving and decision-making skills

5. Best aspects of this job?
Ans: There are several aspects that make my work very exciting. Every morning I come to work with a long list of tasks that I need to complete and every evening I go back home with a satisfaction that my work is like that one drop of water that makes the mighty ocean. The satisfaction of contributing to the effort of improving the lives of disadvantaged children and their families is immense. Besides, I get an opportunity to travel and meet various kinds of people – people in need, people who like me are willing to spare their time and efforts in building the lives of the poor. Last but not the least – salary, which makes my life and the life of my family a comfortable one.

6. Challenging aspects of this job?
Ans: There are several challenges in my job. Some of them include:

Improving efficiency in the programmes that I work – working with a range of stakeholders to improve the efficiency. Stakeholders include – Government Officers, NGOs, Donors and the community
Meeting deadlines – lot of people expect Social Workers to deliver quickly. Tight timelines in time bound projects is a big challenge.
Building Capacities of people with who you work
Managing teams and partnerships

7. Your secret of success in your career?
Ans:

Treating every day as an opportunity to learn something new.
Learning from others – boss, colleagues and the community that we work with.
Developing and sticking to the work plan

8. Give us some interesting accounts of your academic /education days?
Ans: Initially, as a student Social Worker I had many questions about a career in Social Work. As time passed by and when I started interacting with various professionals, it became very clear to me that I will pursue a career which involves working and helping the poor. An important thing that a student needs to do is…meet as many working professionals as possible which will help in developing your interesting and also build relationships which eventually materializes into job placement opportunities. This was possible for me in a city like Hyderabad.

9. How did you plan your career?
Ans: Right from the day I joined Social Work, I had a fascination to work with International Development Agencies. This focus was never lost. Good communication skills, inter-personal relationships, understanding of the issues that I am working (health, nutrition, child labour etc) and most importantly having a mentor (senior already working the field) are some of the important ways of building my career.

10. Describe your experience of your first day at work in your first job?
Ans: My first day was at a slum near Golconda fort. My job was to arrange lunch for children who were attending the summer camp. I was deeply disappointed, but my colleagues assured me that things will not remain the same every day. Rightly so, every day since then has been a new one, with new experiences.

11. Your major achievements have been in …….which opportunities steered you on that path?
Ans: Initially, the desires to explore and learn new things have helped me.

12. Being a leader / social worker yourself what do you think you possess as a leader/social worker that sets you apart from other leaders?
Ans: My ability to relate myself to people and their issues sets me apart. I don’t provide solutions to their problems, I build their capacities to solve their problems on their own.

13. How as a leader / social worker, do you go about developing yourself today?
Ans: One has to read a lot to understand what is happening in various spheres of life. We can’t rely solely on what we learnt in our college, we need to update ourselves to be a leader.

14. What keeps you so passionate about working in social work?
Ans: Through my work, I build evidence which contributes to policy changes. Any policy change improves the lives of people and that gives me satisfaction.

15. What are your current ambitions for the next phase in your life /career?
Ans: I am currently working at State/Regional level and I would like to contribute at National and International levels.

16. Your reading. How this does helps you in your personal and professional life?
Ans: My thoughts and perspectives have come through reading. And reading is a never ending thing. It contributes to my professional learning and refreshes my personal life.

17. What are your interest / hobbies?
Ans: Cricket, quizzing, reading and traveling are my interests.

18. A family bonding experience in your career?
Ans: A happy family life builds a successful professional life. Family first and everything else follows automatically

19. Tips for aspiring professional social workers?
Ans:

Chose a mentor to guide you – you can’t sail on your own.
Never think you know everything – actually you don’t know anything – remember everyday teaches you a new thing.
Understand social issues and know the economic and political link behind these issues – no issues operates in isolation, develop ability to understand comprehensively.
Read well, speak well, write well – a successful social worker is the one who articulates well.
Be humble and get along with everyone.

20. Bitter experience in your career?
Ans : Unless you are employed within the government, most jobs are time bound and project specific and that’s bitter reality. We need to be ready with new skills and work in new places for the next job. Our comfort zone gets rocked ever so often.

21. How do you relate with other professions and professionals?
Ans: I work with various professionals – doctors (public health and nutrition), engineers (WASH and watershed projects), management professionals (micro-finance) etc. Each one has their role cut out and we as Social Workers have our own role. Each one is like different parts of the body – hands, legs, eyes, heart….everyone has their own role to play for the body to function well. So, never think we are of any less value…..

22. What is your opinion about the need for social workers association?
Ans: Though there is a need for such an association at every level…district, state and national…attempts have been unsuccessful for the simple reason, Social Workers have obsession for power. No one wants to be an ordinary member and everyone wants to be the office bearer of such an association and that craze for power is solely the reason why such an association has failed to take off in our country. I am saying this based on my personal experience of starting such an association in Hyderabad.

People who wish to form such an association have a very narrow view. People think such an association will serve as a platform for providing jobs to new pass outs….which is not the only purpose. While a professional association should strive to promote the interests of the members, this association should also work for policy changes in the country.

23. Not all social workers are documenting their experiences in their profession, can you please throw some light on it.
Ans: While it is important that we need to gather evidence through our work which will contribute to micro and macro changes, there are some issues that we need to consider. First, any programme has its own documentation which consumes a lot of time leaving no time for social workers to document their personal experiences. Second, field level workers spend a lot of time in service delivery and there is no time for them to write their experiences. Finally, a good lot of social workers lack documentation skills. With the advent of technology, professional associations should encourage social workers to maintain their own blogs which will contribute to the body of knowledge.

24. What are the most challenging aspects of your job/career?
Ans: There are several challenges in my job. Some of them include:

Improving efficiency in the programmes that I work – working with a range of stakeholders to improve the efficiency. Stakeholders include – Government Officers, NGOs, Donors and the community.
Meeting deadlines – lot of people expect Social Workers to deliver quickly. Tight timelines in time bound projects is a big challenge.
Building Capacities of people with who you work.
Managing teams and partnerships.

25. How do you balance career and other aspects of your life?
Ans: Work life balance is something that needs to be finely balanced. Improving efficiency at workplace comes through proper scheduling of priorities, which when achieved gives ample time for personal life.

26. What advice do you have for someone contemplating a career in social work in a professional position similar to your current position?
Ans: Social Work like any other career provides rewarding experiences if pursued diligently.

27. What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
Ans: Improved lives of disadvantaged communities bears testimony for my efforts – no better reward. Other aspects include – good remuneration, international travel, meeting people from various backgrounds and cultures.

Interviewed By:
Dr. Sreenivasa Reddy
Editorial member
Careers in Social work

]]><![CDATA[General Manager – Organization Development/Corporate HR]]>Mon, 06 Jun 2016 12:59:25 GMThttps://www.nirutapublications.org/careers-in-social-work/dr-james-thomas-msw-ph-d

Dr. James Thomas

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Worked as “General Manager – Organization Development/Corporate HR” in Shahi Exports Pvt. Ltd.,(www.shahi.co.in) (for all Business Divisions) from January 2010 till June 30, 2010 (Total years of work at Shahi was 8 years). Shahi is the largest exporter of ready to wear apparel in India and has an employee Strength of more than 65000.

Worked as “Manager – Human Resources” in Esix Technologies Pvt. Ltd, (www.esixtech.com) (a Software Development and Consulting Firm) Chennai.
Worked as a ‘Senior Executive – Human Resources’ in M/s Kumaran
Worked as a “Consultant – Human Resources” in M/s Manni & Kalarickal, Bangalore.
Worked as the “Director” of Group for Urban and Rural Development
Worked as “Social Worker” in KPFHP, Mysore affiliated to Christian Children’s Fund, USA. with First Class and First Rank.

1. Introduction about your job/career, define your career?
Presently, I am heading HR function along with Administration, Legal, Social, Environmental and buyer compliances of Gokaldas Exports Ltd., one of the largest exporters of Ready to wear Apparel to USA and Europe. Gokaldas Ltd., is one of the portfolio companies of Black Stone Group. I am a part of the Senior Management team of GE. I have been trying to infuse professionalism in HR, though a tough task, migration from promoter driven company to a professionally driven company is a tough task. I have been focussing on developing HR systems and driving them. The thrust areas appropriately in the areas of Talent Acquisition and Management, Employee compensation and benefit administration, Performance Management System, Learning and Development, implementing 5 S and so on.

I have started my career with NGOs and taught in the Department of Studies in Social Work for a year and then worked with a couple of Software companies before moving to Apparel Domain. Started my stint in Shahi Exports Pvt. Ltd., in the Knits Division and later moved on to Corporate HR functions for the Group in Bangalore.
Heading HR Functions of Gokaldas Exports Ltd., is a very challenging task, factories spread across more than 33 locations and an employee strength of 40K plus.

2. Qualification required for this job
A person should have competency in handling a large workforce with a thorough theoretical understanding of the subject. The most important aspect of this job is that one should have a large heart to become a good HR person, though education and other skills are also very important. I have secured 1stRank in my MSW course specializing in Human Resources and also completed my Doctoral Studies from the University of Mysore.

3. Personal qualification/skills required for this job?
The person should have handled a large workforce coupled with understanding of employee relations, managerial effectiveness, good communication skills etc.,

4. Best aspect of this job
It is good to handle the complete gamut of HR function for a large organization like Gokaldas exports Ltd.

5. Challenging aspects of this job
The most challenging aspect of this job is to sustain the Human Resource pool. Since Human talent is scarce in this domain we are facing a lot of challenges to hire and retain talent. We do require about 5K people for the month of January 2013.

6. Your achievement
I have been working hard in this Apparel Industry to bring about a change and highlight the role of HR in business performance. With confidence I could say that there are a number of initiatives to bring up the organizational culture of this industry, where by HR fraternity has recognized my work in this field.

To turn around a company with family oriented work culture to a professional work culture has been a very challenging task. It requires a lot of top Management intervention.

7. Your secret of success in your career
I believe that hard work pays. One has to be in constant touch with the developments taking place in his own field and also outside. I have been a part of the core business leadership and have got involved in business HR. Been a part of quality management initiatives, LEAN management including implementing 5S and TPM and once HR gets into the business we could add much more value to business and HR will be recognized as the integral part of the business.

8. Give some interesting accounts of your academic/education days
I cherish my college days of St. Philomena’s and ManasaGangotri campuses, University of Mysore. I was a part of the College basketball, shuttle cock, football and hand ball teams and represented ManasaGangotri in Shuttle cock.

I have secured Fr. Didian Scholarship for securing highest marks in Sociology exam and also received National Merit Scholarship during college days. I was the topper in MSW and secured 1st Rank.

Participated in two10 days rural camp and also taken students for a 10 days camp in Molakalmuru.

9. How did you plan your career?
I have exposure to various fields and that has given me good understanding of the various nuances of working with people. From NGOs to teaching to consulting to HR function.

10. Describe your experience of your first day at work in your first job
My first commercial assignment was with a Professor for a Research Project, data collection work. Even though it was only for a shorter period I felt very happy to work and earn money

11. Your major achievements
Could establish as a forward looking HR professional, HR fraternity recognized my contribution to apparel industry

I have received the HR Leadership Award based on the following parameters.

HR LEADERSHIP AWARDat the 7th EMPLOYER BRANDING AWARDS (Regional Round) is the most prestigious Award. It is a highest honour which an Individual can receive for his or her contribution

The task of choosing an award winner was given to a global research cell. This cell constitutes of professionals from different parts of the world. These professionals are then asked to submit their recommendations. This Cell is chaired by a Chairman who reviews recommendation. The Jury meets and identifies award winners.

Competencies are judged based on the following frame work:

Strategic Perspective
Business Goal Management
Risk Management
Team Orientation and People Management
Networking
Change Agent
Customer Focus
Business Acumen
Performance Management
Achieving Excellence

The criteria adopted are:

Not much is written about the professionals in the media.
Internal perception, within the organization& external perception is balanced on credibility, achievement & value contribution to the business.
Track record of performance and achievements.
Values, integrity and work life balance are essential competencies.

12. Being a leader what do you think you possess as a leader that sets you apart from other leaders?
My exposure to various fields has given me immense opportunity to get involved with various teams, worked with them to achieve the results. A Leader can perform only when the team performs. I mingle very freely with the team members and other colleagues.

13. How as a Leader you go about developing yourself today
Abreast with the latest development in the field and clued on to what the business requires, that’s the most important. We need to deliver what the business wants and I am trying to be ahead of the requirements.

14. What keeps you passionate about social work
I am very font of Social Work. I am presently the Managing Trustee of SNEHA (Society for New Environment and Humanitarian) an NGO working towards the improvement of marginalized sections of the Society especially Women and Children. SNEHA also work for the children afflicted with Cancer, organized a no. of medical camps, free cataract operation camps, awareness programs for school kids related to HIV/ AIDS, free educational facilities to destitute children and so on.

15. What are your ambitions for the next phase in your life/career
I want to advance in my career as HR Director rep. in the Board.

And also I want to develop the NGO and start a School of Social Work. Since I am the President of MSW Alumni Association of the University of Mysore I would like to form an Alumni Association of the Schools, Colleges and Universities of Social Work and create a Council for Social Work Education and that would be the monitoring Body for all Social Work Education like Indian Medical Council.

16. Your reading
I have been trying to catch up with the latest books, however, due to other pressing engagements indulging in books have come down.

17. What are your interest/hobbies
I am very much font of sports; however as of now there are no much activities. I love horse riding, shuttle cock and Karate.

18. Family
I have a very good lovable family. My wife takes care of home front as well as she is an HR Consultant to various companies. She has a Doctorate in Human Resource Management from the University of Madras. She is also learning various foreign languages and presently she takes care of SNEHA (Society for New Environment and Humanitarian Action). My elder daughter is in 9thstd and second daughter in 3rd std.

19. Tips for aspiring professionals Social Workers
Follow your heart and definitely you would succeed.

20. Bitter experience in your career
Someone takes the fruit of your hard work

]]><![CDATA[Intake Assistant working for Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped, Government of India]]>Mon, 06 Jun 2016 12:53:10 GMThttps://www.nirutapublications.org/careers-in-social-work/intake-assistant-working-for-vocational-rehabilitation-centre-for-handicapped-government-of-india

Dr. Kannekanti Parameshwar

1) Introduction about your job / career, define your career?
I am an Intake Assistant working for Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped, Government of India, Ministry of Labour & Employment, # C-432, 1st B Main, 1st Cross, Behind Peenya police station, peenya 1st stage, Bangalore-58.

I have been working for this department for the past twelve years.

My career stated as an Intake Assistant some times they also call social worker.

As an Intake Assistant I do Registration of PWDs, file management, assisting other officials, coordination with administration and colleagues.

As a social worker, I do referral services like, vocational counseling, Vocational Rehabilitation, Economic Rehabilitation, Physical Restoration, Social Rehabilitation, placement contacts, rapport with clients, rehabilitation assistance, attending rehabilitation camps, etc.

2) Qualification required for this job?
Essential Qualifications: Degree of a recognized University or its equivalent with Diploma in Social Work or Guidance or Post Graduate Degree or its equivalent in Social Work or Sociology.

Experience Required: 3 years post qualification experience in Social Work or Vocational Guidance or Employment Services.

Pay scale: Pre-revised:4500-7000. Revised to Pay Band: 5200-20200, Grade Pay fixed: Rs.2800. Group-C, Non-Gazetted, Non-ministerial.

Age: 30years. Reservations applicable.

Recruited by: It is a direct recruitment post. Indent sent to Central Employment Exchange by the recruiting centre seeking applications via Advertisement in Employment News by Government of India, Directorate General of Employment & Training, Ministry of Labor and Employment, 14/11, Jamnagar House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110011.

The post is having All India Service Liability. The First appointment is done in the centre recruited. Later on one can seek transfer to any centre out of 20 existed centres in the same designation and capacity as and when vacancy arises.

3) Personal qualities / skills required for this job?

Committed mind to serve the disabled persons.
Social Work bent of mind.
Idea about Disability Rehabilitation.
Reading, writing and spoken ability in English, Hindi and local language.
Interview skill is required.
Basic Computer knowledge required.

4) Best aspects of this job?

Best chance to serve the Persons with Disabilities.
Permanent Central Government Job.
Chance to learn other languages.
Due to feeder cadre, there is a chance (rarely) to become Rehabilitation Officer, Group-B Gazetted officer in the department.
Good Interaction and rapport will establish with Persons with Disability.

5) Challenging aspects of this job?

Rehabilitating the persons with disabilities is a challenging aspect of this job.
Convincing the Higher Officers is a challenging one.
Learning the local language is a challenging aspect.
Sensitizing the employers is a challenging.
Applying social work methodology is also a challenging one.
All India transferable liability is also a challenging one.
Some times it is a laborious job.
Finding job satisfaction is also a big challenge.

6) Your achievements?

I learnt Oriya language.
I learnt Kannada Language.
I registered around 10000 PWD in my period for various services in centre.
I counseled the PWDs in their best vocational rehabilitation plan.
I understood the condition, status and problems of persons with disabilities around India.
I understood the rehabilitation services rendered by other institutions in India.
I used to advocate the problems of the clients with the appropriate authority.

7) Your secret of success in your career?
Committed to my interest.
Following the higher officials and colleagues, some times Yes Bossism.
Best counseling skills.
Applying Social Work Methodology in service.
Studying the books, literature, articles and news papers about the social problems of people.

8) Give us some interesting accounts of your academic /education days?
Interesting account of my education is hap hazardous plan in my academic career. My environment driven me towards (immediate job) government job without any plan.
Without any destination I pursued some Degrees.

9) How did you plan your career?
I could not plan my career perfectly. I followed blind approach because the ultimate goal was government job.

10) Describe your experience of your first day at work in your first job?

My first appointment was in Bhubaneswar, VRC. Lack of knowledge of local language (Oriya) I could not converse with any person with disability. I used to observe the procedure what my colleague was doing. They wanted to see my mettle. Higher official given me, dictation and asked me to get it done type, to see my English language proficiency. They have introduced me to all the staff. Due to non-gazetted officer post they have not shown me my table, chair, place of work and nature of duties. Later on they said that one week time will be given to assign the work and in the mean while you observe and learn the work. I used to follow the colleague to learn the work while on work.

11) Your major achievements have been in ……………. which opportunities steered you on that path?

Due to my first appointment in Orissa, I needed to learn Oriya language. I have purchased a book entitled “Oriya in small bites” written by a foreign visitor in Bhubaneswar. Everyday in the evening hours I used to read, write and try to murmur the language my self with the help of the book. I used try to observe and speak with my colleagues while they speak. Similarly I planed to learn Kannada language also. This achievement made me to speak to persons with disabilities and colleagues freely to deliver my services without any hesitation.

Establishing good rapport with persons with disabilities I achieved nearness with them.

Due to review of related literature I could have been counseled them very easily.

My sincerity, obedience and submissiveness I had overcome some hurdles.

My computer knowledge given me some more impetus to my job.

12) Being a leader / social worker yourself what do you think you possess as a leader/social worker that sets you apart from other leaders?
I think I possess academic and professional knowledge in Law, sociology, social work, English, computer, administration I became a good rehabilitation social worker in my department.

13) How as a leader / social worker, do you go about developing yourself today?
As a social worker I would like to develop my self to become very near to the people.

I would like to acquire the some more professional knowledge.
I would like to try some more to achieve job satisfaction.
I would like to change my self first rather than changing society.

14) What keeps you so passionate about working in social work?

My sensitivity to social problems.
Easy accessibility with social work.
Grip on social work process.
Job Satisfaction in social work.
Easy accessibility with administration, politics, academics, public contacts, etc.

15) What are your current ambitions for the next phase in your life /career?
I would like to become Academician, social work thinker, good author, good friend.

16) Your reading. How this does helps you in your personal and professional life?

Reading is the secret of my success.
Reading gives comprehensive knowledge about the concepts of social problems, profession and life.
Reading became my Master, Guide and Supervisor.
Reading is my innate drive
Reading makes me to forget the environment some time.

17) What are your interest / hobbies?

I am very much interesting in observing current social affairs.
I am interesting in social contacts, establishing rapport with the people.
My hobbies are Reading news papers, periodicals, books, magazines,
Writing articles, books on current trends of people.
Learning other languages.
Browsing internet
Friendship via mass media, internet, etc.
Watching movies, documentaries, TV programs, listening to News and spotlight programs

18) A family bonding experience ……………….?

Many times I felt that I could not make justification to my family members. Much time I spent in meetings, camps being away from my family. I used to become tiresome and sick after coming from camps. Being limited income and small post I could not meet many things of my family requirements. My lifestyle like, eating habits changed. In all these situations my family people supported me. My family members understood my interests, economic capacity and adjusted with me.

19) Tips for aspiring professional social workers?

Maintain good health
Commitment is compulsory
Grip on Subject is compulsory
Social involvement and networking is compulsory
Convincing and obtaining own family members support
Limited political involvement
Follow the code of professional ethics
Positive thinking
Stay away from fanatics, superstitions, etc.

20) Bitter experience in your career?
When I was working for an NGO in AP, I faced tuff time to enter into a village to implement Health Awareness Program. They have not allowed me to conduct such programs. Ultimately, with some counseling and with help of community development process technique they understood and allowed me to do the social work program in such village.

When I was working with Bhubaneswar VRC, I had been to an Industry on placement contact. The Employer said “ I don’t believe all these rehabilitations and handicapped people, who permitted you inside? Go away and Don’t come again” indirectly he said ‘get out’. At this time I filled with confidence in me and contacted another industry.

In Bangalore VRC, My colleague and counterpart leveled mobile theft against me and hided the important file due to professional jealousy and created panic purposefully in my career.

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