"Messiah College provided me the opportunity to do a lot of different things- don't pass up those opportunities! Looking back on my college career I have no regrets - I went on two cross-cultural trips, went to the Philadelphia Campus for a semester, got to take classes like 'Play & Development', 'Drug & Alcohol Addiction' and 'Abnormal psychology', had two internships and worked as a work-study in the EpiCenter. I try to stay connected with some of my HDFS professors (who by the way make great references for graduate schools!)."
Utilizing her resources: Meghan's career journey
Excited with the courses that HDFs had to offer - from Parenting to Human Sexuality to Adult Development, and yes, even Strategies of Family Life Education - Meghan was more than pleased with all her classes! During her years at Messiah, Meghan interned at a local victim/witness assistance program, as well as, a foster care agency. When she graduated in 2008, Meghan applied for a job as a youth counselor at a residential treatment facility where she worked with teenage girls who had been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. After working at that facility for two years, Meghan transitioned to another job within the same agency as an adoption and foster care caseworker. While working full-time in this position, Meghan also went to graduate school at Temple University for her Master's degree in Social Work. During these years, Meghan interned in two hospital settings, one of which she currently is employed at as a Medical Social Worker. Meghan has also taken a licensure exam and is now a Licensed Social worker!
Working as a Medical Social Worker
Part of the excitement and fun that comes Meghan's position is that she is able to work with families who have newborns in the NICU (neo-natal intensive care unit) to older adults looking for nursing home placement. Most days are spent working with doctors, nursing staff, case managers, therapists, patients and families to coordinate a patient's discharge plan from the hospital. Meghan completes psychosocial assessments of patients and families, and then works with them to provide information, support, counseling and referrals for community resources. Meghan recalls, "Sometimes all a patient needs is a listening ear, other times, I am ordering medical equipment (rolling walkers, wheelchairs, etc), or arranging Home Health Care. I work with patients who cannot afford their medication, need to go to rehab, need assistance with transportation and a myriad of other psychosocial concerns... [it is] never a dull moment!"
Meghan's Advice
"Utilize the resources and connections you have available to you. Go to the Career Center- have them review your resume! While you are still in college, complete an internship to help see what you like/want to do, the opportunities you have and the people you meet while at your internship may open doors for you later. Enjoy your time at Messiah, it'll go by quickly!"