Recording-2025-03-02T02:41:46.536Z

Introduction

  • 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

Educational Background

  • 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.

Professional Experience

  • 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).

Role and Responsibilities

  • 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.

Key Rewards and Challenges

  • 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.

Career Opportunities in Social Work

  • 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.

Final Advice

  • 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.

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