Hello hello! Another Monday, another work play week – for now…
I thought I’d take today to answer some questions that I’ve been asked a lot recently. The big topic? What I’m doing next year!
A little background: I went through a lot of possible career choices in college at Vanderbilt University. Actuary, non-profit worker, sociologist, child life specialist. One per year essentially! I graduated with a dual degree in sociology and child development, with a math minor. And no clue what I wanted to do.
SO. I bummed around Nashville for a year, working as a research assistant for my former sociology professor, and as a part-time nanny.
By the end of the year, I had made up my mind…
Do you still live in Nashville?
Nope! I’m back home in Louisville, living at home with the ‘rents. They’re excited.
Did you come back for a job?
Another nope! Well, kind of. I’ll be at the University of Louisville’s Kent School in the fall, pursuing a Masters in Social Work. As part of my schooling I have to complete a 16 hr/week practicum that I’ll be (slightly) compensated for. So not really working, no! Two days of class (M/T) and two days of practicum (W/Th).
So you’ll be going into homes and taking people’s kids away?
Absolutely not. I do not want to be a social worker in the sense that most people think of. Instead, I want to be a medical social worker. I want to work in a hospital or clinic, helping people who have medical ailments. Preferably children, and preferably those with some kind of chronic disease, like diabetes or cancer.
What exactly does a medical social worker do on a daily basis?
To be quite honest, I know some basics but I’m still a bit hazy on this question. I know that they help with a lot of insurance and other paperwork; they work to connect patients to available community resources; they do psychosocial assessments of patients and their support systems. So I know a little bit, but I’m looking forward to learning a lot more!
So there you have it. What I’ll be up to this year. I’m looking forward to getting back to school, and really diving into social work as a profession!
What about you? Did you go into college with a clear life goal and plan, or change a million times like I did?
Good luck! Sounds like a busy time for you.
I majored in business…and now I write, lol.
Thanks Kerri! It should be busy, but also fun
i still wonder about this…maybe since my sophomore year in college i always wanted to do psychology and work with eating disorders. then i got the opportunity to work at the prison the past 2 years and its crazy how much i love it. so somehow i found my way into the field of forensic psychology:) i love your open mind and your willingness to explore to figure out exactly what your passion might be:)
Forensic psychology sounds so interesting! I’m sure working at the prison is a really cool experience
I work in a similar field– it’s challenging but so rewarding. Wishing you the very best! As an undergrad, I majored in French and Fine Arts… go figure.
Glad to hear that you find it rewarding!!
Hey, Leah!
I hope you didn’t get soaked after I saw you this morning! It might be helpful for you to chat with Lisa Stoflet from our church. Not only is she a MASW, she has been living with the situation you describe over the last two years. You may have seen posts of mine about my friend, Adam. Two years ago last week he was diagnosed with Neroblastoma, after removal of a baseball sized tumor on the base of his brain. Two years later he has finished climbing many mountains, including radiation and chemo, and lots of complications therof. Lisa was headed back to teaching in the very program you are beginning before Adam’s diagnosis, but has been living in the midst of all of that for these last two years. I am happy to report that as of right now Adam is cancer free. He’ll have an MRI in about a week or so to confirm that is still the case. Meanwhile, Lisa could be valuable to you! Let me know if you’d like me to connect you!
Will do!
Good for you!
I went to college as a Computer Science major and almost immediately changed to sign language interpreting. I got my Associates and Bachelors in interpreting and then I got my Masters in Professional Studies. That was a multidisciplinary degree with concentrations in Security Technology, Business Legal Studies and Criminal Justice. I do hope to someday interpret in the legal field, as well as, at my current job in the post-secondary field!
Sounds like you have the perfect plan to integrate your interests!!
I’ve finally reached my senior year in college. And I’ve changed my mind about what I want to do quite a few times. Few as in a million. My fourth major seems to be the charm now.
Glad to hear you finally settled on something!
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