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.