Counseling and Social Services

The Department of Social Work and Family Studies offers a major in social work and a concentration in family studies. Family studies and social work are fields of study that build upon students’ liberal arts education to prepare them to identify the changing needs of families, develop the means to satisfy those needs, and explore policies and programs that address social problems and enhance human strengths.

Psychology explores the science of mind and behavior. As a discipline, psychology combines natural science and social science, and the St. Olaf Psychology Department includes faculty and courses that span the breadth of psychology including behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, clinical, cultural, developmental, personality, and social psychology.

Scott Kloeck-Jenson Social Impact Scholars

CURI

Davis Projects for Peace

Svoboda Legal Scholars

Upward Bound Summer Staff

Phillips Scholars 

International Institute of Minnesota Internships

Laura Baker Services Association

The Advocates for Human Rights Internships

HealthFinders Collaborative Internships

Tubman Internships

Simpson Housing Internships

Lutheran Social Services of MN Internships

Washburn Center for Children Internships

Summer research at other institutions
Explore more internships, research opportunities, and fellowships.

Humanity In Action

Lutheran Volunteer Corps

Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest

Peace Corps

*With the exception of selective gap year and service programs, the majority of counseling and social services organizations hire on an “as-needed basis.”

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Job & Internship Board

Northfield Shares – Volunteer Opportunity Database

Pollen

Idealist.org

SocialService.com

Health and Human Services Job Site

Seek out opportunities to explore your interests, gain valuable professional experience, and develop new skills through Student Employment. 

What types of roles are there for students?

There are a wide variety of opportunities available at St. Olaf! 

Here are a few examples:

• Peer support and leadership roles, including Junior Counselor/Resident Assistant positions in Residence Life, Peer Educator in the Wellness Center, Peer Advisor in the Piper Center, TRIO Upward Bound summer staff, various roles in Admissions
• Community Work Study positions with local nonprofit organizations, including opportunities at the Greenvale Park Community School, the Middle School Youth Center, and the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative (HCI)
• Program assistant roles with Admissions, Alumni & Parent Relations, Athletics, Theater, the Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion, Camps, Conferences and Events, and various other departments
• Teaching assistant (various departments), tutor, or Supplemental Instruction Leader with the Center for Advising and Academic Support

Student Employment Resources

Student Employment Job Board – this is the best resource for identifying current openings on campus. Occasionally, departments will also share opportunities on Handshake.

Student Employment Guide – this guide includes many of the positions that students currently or have previously held at St. Olaf. If you see a position you are interested in, but do not see it posted as a current opportunity on the Job Board you may wish to reach out via email or by stopping in to the office to learn more about the role and hiring process.

Minnesota Counseling Association

National Association of Social Workers

Association of Child Life Professionals

Different Types of Therapists (Psychotherapists): The Complete Guide

Psychology Degree Guide (psychologydegreeguide.org)

Piper Center Graduate School Guide