Simply put, “Life” has led me to the field of social work. My own experiences and the experiences of others have shaped my desire to help people heal and grow. People who have led me to where I am today include my family, my husband, friends (Dr. Tracy Weber), family friends (Mrs. Jeannine LaSovage), neighbors, field instructors, and coworkers. I believe surrounding myself with people I was inspired by and wanted to be like helped me believe in myself and assisted me in achieving my goals.
I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern Michigan University and received my master’s degree from the University of Michigan in Social Work. I began working as a social worker in the Emergency Department due to a desire for excitement, and I felt the Emergency Department was one of the best environments to experience all areas of social issues in order to further develop skills I learned in my master’s program. The work I do with horses came from a life-long passion for horses and for helping people. I was able to find a way to combine the two through Google searches on the internet, reading several books, and networking. I have pursued that passion by surrounding myself with people whom I aspired to emulate.
In the Emergency Department at the University of Michigan, I enjoy the diversity of patients I see. The pace is impossible to predict and in a given night I may work with people with a variety of different issues, from psychiatric and medical needs, to substance abuse issues, to safety issues such as domestic violence and child protection, to working with families of trauma patients who have been in serious and sometimes life-changing accidents. I complement the work I do in the ER with a mental health service that allows people to work with horses to teach them life skills. It is similar to a “ropes course,” but different because horses are living beings who can interact with people and reflect their emotions to make for a more meaningful discovery about oneself and others. This work is done outside; there is no riding involved; but you get to be in nature, not in an office setting, where traditional therapy takes place. It is a nice balance to be in the ER some days and in a horse pasture the other days.
Volunteering is one of the best ways to gain experience and to test out your preferences for future careers. There are multiple opportunities to volunteer in our community. Search for “volunteer” at www.arborweb.com.
Anticipated challenges in my field: limited funding sources, increasing lack of health insurance, and increased need for community-based programs with diminished funding sources. I frequently see people in the emergency department with serious medical issues who have no insurance. I also see several individuals with substance abuse problems with nowhere to turn due to limited space in treatment facilities. Homelessness is also becoming more and more prevalent, with limited shelter space and resources. The most exciting change I see is that people are becoming more and more aware of these concerning issues and are developing creative “out of the box” solutions to solving the problems of the world. One of my favorite sayings in social work and mental health is that it sometimes takes a crisis to help people change their routines and make a difference; I think the current economic crisis will bring about some much-needed change.
Social workers can have their bachelor’s degree or their master’s degree, depending on the level of education required for their position. After you earn your master’s, licensure is limited; two years of full-time experience and weekly supervision plus a licensure exam are required to obtain full licensure. Continuing education following receipt of licensure is necessary, as well as monthly supervision to continue learning in our field.
What I love about the field of social work is that the skills we are taught are transferable to any field where relationships matter: business professionals, sales and retail, restaurant staff, parenting, in your relationships with your family, or even your relationship with yourself!
One of the good things about my job is that there always seems to be a need for social work, which equals “job security.” My job can be stressful and is emotionally draining at times. So, in order to continue to be good at my job, I try to take good care of myself, get enough sleep, exercise, and make sure I have a healthy outlet for stress when needed. This is something I learned, because you can’t help someone else if you have nothing left of yourself to give. Like oxygen masks in an airplane, you put your mask on first, and then assist others. Working in the Emergency Department has taught me to cherish my family life and try to not take it for granted. I look at the little things in life that make me smile and share those with my family. I tell my family how much they mean to me and try to truly appreciate the simple and beautiful moments in life.
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