Speaker: Dorena Kellum, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Education: Bachelor's in Social Work (Cal State Long Beach), Master's in Social Work (Columbia University)
Field Internship: New York State Psychiatric Institute
Bachelor's Degree: Emphasis on foundational social work principles.
Master's Degree: Focus on specialized concentrations, including:
Medical and mental health disabilities
Additional options include foster care, research, teaching, and geriatric social work.
Field Internship: Essential hands-on experience during master's program.
Worked in various hospital and clinical settings:
Focus on hospital environments due to interest in medical social work.
Multiple job offers from hospitals and clinical clinics post-graduation.
Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital at Mather, Rancho Cordova:
Served veterans with wartime illnesses and disabilities.
Engagement with a diverse veteran population (Vietnam, Korean, World War II).
Involvement with recent veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, dealing with:
Medical disabilities (e.g., loss of limbs)
Mental health challenges (e.g., PTSD, suicidality).
Client Interaction: Help veterans navigate available resources.
Many veterans face challenges in accessing medical care and benefits.
Importance of education about community resources and healthcare services.
Counseling Services:
One-on-one sessions to assist with reintegration into civilian life.
Explore interests, educational opportunities, and career pathways.
Connect veterans with appropriate support services (e.g., Medi-Cal, educational counselors).
Promote socialization among veterans to reduce isolation.
Providing Comprehensive Support:
Discuss lifestyle choices and their repercussions (e.g., substance use).
Encourage creative problem-solving beyond medical prescriptions.
Rewards:
Joy and gratitude from aiding veterans in their recovery and adaptation.
The dynamic nature of social work allows for creative approaches.
Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (therapists, physicians, etc.) expands learning opportunities.
Challenges:
Potential for burnout due to emotional demands of the job.
Importance of self-care and maintaining boundaries to prevent exhaustion.
Recognizing limits and knowing when to step back from particularly heavy cases.
Differentiation between Bachelor's and Master's level opportunities:
Bachelor's Degree: More generalized, entry-level positions (e.g., hospice care).
Master's Degree: Access to clinical roles requiring advanced skills, offering more complex cases and higher pay.
Organizations may offer support for completing a Master’s degree.
Salary Insights:
Entry-level salary at nonprofits: $60,000 - $65,000.
Hospital settings generally offer higher salaries: $75,000 - $80,000, increasing with licensure.
Additional benefits such as loan forgiveness and professional development.
For Aspiring Social Workers:
Seek shadowing opportunities to get firsthand experience in the field.
Engage directly with the work environment to inform career decisions.
Always consider further education for enhanced job prospects and skills development.