Abstract
School social work is a unique specialization combining micro, mezzo and macro work. The field has been around for over a century, and with recent funding for mental health services in California, school social work has been experiencing growth. However, lack of career support combined with high job stress make school social workers especially vulnerable to burnout. The purpose of this research is to explore the factors that contribute to the resilience of school social workers and promote career longevity. The study findings revealed significant relationships between participants’ self-rating of resilience and the following factors: colleague support, cognitive restructuring and a sense of humor. Also, the number of years as a school social worker was significantly correlated with an increase in boundaries and colleague support. Recommendations for future research include further examining these factors to better understand the nuances that contribute to the resilience of school social workers.