My first job was at the United Methodist Home for Children in Mechanicsburg where I was a front line staff- Youth Counselor. This is probably the most challenging job of my career. I then moved to Philadelphia, got married, and began a job at a Domestic Violence shelter- Women Against Abuse as a childrens Case Manager. I worked there for 12 years. After I received my MSW I transitioned to an Overnight and Weekend Supervisor, and then was the Hotline and Intake Manager. During that time I also completed my Masters Level internship at Broad Street Ministry a homeless outreach program where I was a Domestic Violence Specialist. In 2018 I transitioned to The Salvation Army's New Day Program as Assistant Director, then in 2020 began as the Director. I am still in that role.
The Social Work department helped prepare me in thinking through my own Christian beliefs and helping me synthesize them with the Social Work profession. It gave me a great foundation in social work practice that I was then able to apply to my work. I have most appreciated Social Work's broad look through the generalist practice (micro, mezzo, macro).
My advice is try different internships and placements. They will all inform your future work. Build a solid foundation of faith and start to think through how you will apply this to a secular world.
Would you recommend Messiah's BSW program to future social workers?
Yes- I think Messiah gave me a very solid education and forced me to examine my beliefs.