Occupation, Social Worker

by Jayme Walters, BSW, MSW

     At the beginning of many social work courses, it is customary for students to share why they ventured into the discipline. When I began the BSW program in 2005, it was mostly because I was not passionate about my initial major (journalism). I wasn’t motivated by money, fame, or power, and I was inspired by everyday people and historical figures who made their mark by helping others and changing the world.

     Social workers have an incredible impact on society through a plethora of mechanisms, serving individuals, groups, and communities for a host of reasons. For social work students, the opportunities seem endless, but figuring out where one belongs can be challenging. Throughout the first year, I volunteered with various agencies hoping to find my niche: in a youth literacy program; a GED program at a community college; and with the Boys and Girls Club. It was exciting to watch the clients grow and achieve their respective goals, but I felt too connected. I took their stories home and thought endlessly about them. I began to question whether this was the right profession for me.

     In spring 2006, our Social Welfare Policy professor encouraged us to attend the NASW Lobby Day at the Illinois State Capitol. We spent the day listening to social workers discussing their roles in addressing social issues, advocating for populations facing injustice, and educating politicians about realistic solutions. While I knew there were social work jobs besides casework and therapy, I was seeing this in action for the first time – a sense of relief rushed over me. Maybe I could be a social worker!

     Knowing my interests, my professors encouraged me to explore macro social work and assured me that I wasn’t weird just because I did not want to do clinical work. My mentor helped me find a field practicum where I wrote grants, assisted in program development, and learned about nonprofit management. Upon graduation, I found myself pursuing an MSW with a concentration in community practice and a certificate in nonprofit management.

     Fast forward nearly a decade, and my journey as a social worker has been quite unique – from a school social worker to Director of Development to Special Assistant to the President at a university, among other roles. Along the way, I did not always feel accepted; I wasn’t “social worky” enough for social workers, and I wasn’t “business” enough for fundraisers. Admittedly, I have spent too much time justifying my interests as a social worker.

     Now, as a Ph.D. student in social work, I have learned more about the history and progression of social work, so the challenges I have experienced make more sense. My hope as a future professor is to help students uncover the diversity of the profession and explore nontraditional roles. Just as we respect the differing backgrounds of clients and communities, we must revere and support social workers at each level of practice – micro, mezzo, and macro – to ensure that our profession positively influences society in the century ahead.

Jayme Walters is a first-year Ph.D. student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She earned her MSW from the University of Georgia in 2008 and her BSW from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 2007. She also earned a certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in 2015. Walters’ primary professional focus has been in macro practice, including nonprofit management, program development, fundraising, grant writing, and administration. Her current research interests include social workers as leaders; human service organizations; and macro practice education.