My Journey to Social Work: Jakob Baskt

NASW-NC would like to introduce you to the 2014-2015 NASW-NC Board of Directors.

Each of our amazing board members chose the profession of social work for a reason and we would like to share their stories with you.  Stay tuned for a post about each of the social workers who represent YOU on the NASW-NC Board.

Jakob Baskt, ACSW, LCSW
International District Representative (2014-2016)

My “journey” to to the profession of social work began after I had become a clergyman and was teaching Sociology at the University level. As a clergyman I felt that I lacked the tools to help individuals in hospitals, with martial difficulties, with addictive behaviors, and with psychiatric problems whether their own or their family members. The education I received in school of social work provided me the initial tools with which I began to be able to facilitate people helping themselves.

Continuing education and many years under supervision, first under superiors and then with my peers, helped me to develop the skills I use today to enable others to at least deal with and at times resolve their issues and problems. After years of working as a Senior Psychiatric Social Worker in the Psychiatric ward of a hospital, and years of working in nursing homes all the while teaching Social Work and Psychology students, today I am in private practice in Jerusalem, Israel.

I originally joined the NASW in Michigan because I felt that at that time, social workers were not adequately representing themselves or being represented by government professionally. I initially represented the NASW to the State in order to initiate Certification and ultimate Licensing of Social Workers. The first time I moved overseas I became a member of the International Chapter of the NASW and ultimately became its Co-President. My interest was to continue my own education as well as providing the opportunity for other to continue their own education. Upon returning to the States I was a member of the Illinois Chapter.

I now am a member of the North Carolina Chapter representing International District. Many US social workers come overseas, some to visit and live in Israel, and they should have someone to contact and question if they feel the need.

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Learn more about the NASW-NC Board of Directors and what NASW-NC does for the social work profession in North Carolina

Learn more about past and present NASW-NC Board Members.

Learn more about the NASW-NC International District.