Essentially Essential: The Wonderful World of Social Work
by Celia Laverty, BA
Early months of 2020 were chaotic and scary for people, and social workers were no exception to that. Even with that uncertainty, we were deemed “essential workers.” We played a large role in helping people receive the assistance they needed that was due to the hardships of COVID-19 and provided support when people felt they were at a loss because of the significant changes in the world. One of the beautiful things about social work is there is so much diversity within the field, and because of that, we were able to meet a variety of needs for people when it was most important.
My undergraduate degree is in psychology and sociology, so engaging in social work practice has been newer for me. Most of my time working toward my MSW occurred in 2020, when COVID-19 grew into what it is. I learned to navigate field placement in an unfamiliar way, and although it was not as hands-on as it might have been outside of a pandemic, it was a rewarding experience because of the swell of social workers coming together to help other people in a time of need. Reflecting, the most essential thing I have learned in social work school so far is just how essential we are, but also how wonderful a field it truly is.
Through field placement, I examined and followed policy specifically regarding COVID-19, which was special. I was seeing social workers in action, trying to make the world a better place when it was difficult for everyone. My professors were exceptionally flexible and understanding with students about the added stressors and differences in the world, which I like to think is because they have that one-of-a-kind “social worker” mentality.
We all know that change is not easy. Still, during this time, a lot of positive things have come from social workers and others who work with the public, like the increase in availability and use of telehealth – something that has been a necessity in Appalachia and other rural communities. My classes, work, and policy showed me the importance of telehealth, so I grew passionate about it while in school. It was also through field placement and my classes that I got to learn even more about the resiliency people have and just how rewarding social work is. Before taking my MSW classes, a lot of my knowledge and practice was with individuals. Within those classes, I learned more about the bigger picture and how, while individuals are important, it goes beyond that, and we have this massive role.
Overall, I am saying that one of the biggest and most important things I have learned in my MSW classes is that social work is a field filled with amazing people, and the clients we work with are equally amazing and incredibly resilient. Beyond that, though, I learned so much more, and it is hard to summarize it into “one” thing that is most important. To be a social worker is to be an advocate, a teacher, a learner, a support system, to fight for social justice, to bridge gaps…and so many other things that help people feel heard and helped. I have learned that social work is my home.
Celia Laverty, from southern West Virginia, received her undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology. She found a passion for social work and will graduate with her Master of Social Work in 2021.