Working with Groups ● 87This chapter presents an overview of approaches that graduates can draw
on and use wherever they find themselves working with groups of young
Pacific people or young people from other ethnic communities. The infor-
mation is also generally applicable to work with other types of minority
groups. The chapter begins with a discussion of the author’s experience
as a young sociology graduate volunteering at a residential home in Fiji.
This leads to the second section of the chapter, which supports the case for
applied sociology. In an environment where sociology finds itself justifying
its relevance and sociology students struggle to find meaningful employ-
ment, it is worth considering the inclusion of the practical skills of working
with communities and groups in the sociology curriculum. The third sec-
tion offers a general overview of group work, its processes, and facilitation.
The fourth section offers some considerations for group facilitators engaging
in group work with young Pacific peoples, with the expectation that the
considerations are applicable to group work with other minority groups,
especially young minority groups.
From University to Work: An Illustrative ExperienceThe author of this chapter studied sociology at the undergraduate and
graduate levels and then carried this background and influence into doctoral
studies in social work. This might appear to be a seamless transition, but the
reality was that the process involved considerable uncertainty and was carved
through years of study, work, volunteer experience, and reflexivity. The deci-
sion to pursue doctoral studies in social work was motivated by his desire to
apply his sociological knowledge to real-life experiences and by his perception
that he lacked the practical skills to accompany his theoretical knowledge.
One of his relevant experiences during that time was a two-year period of
volunteering at Chevalier Hostel, a home for underprivileged boys and young
men in Suva, Fiji.
Chevalier Hostel at any one time permanently housed 15 to 20 boys and
young men between the ages of 7 and 24 years. The residents were either in
school, working odd jobs like shoe shining, or looking for work. Other
individuals sporadically accessed the hostel for night shelter. The residents
were a diverse group of individuals with different personal circumstances,
needs, and aspirations. They came from different backgrounds and ended up
at the hostel for various reasons. These included family circumstances such
as death of a parent, divorce, parental separation, or desertion, and domestic
issues such as alcoholism, poor housing, violence, or unemployment. Some
residents were put under the care of the hostel by the juvenile court. As a