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Michael
Shaw (MSW 1999) Profession:
Grant Wood Elementary School Family Resource My work in an after school program with children with developmental disabilities showed me what kind of work I wanted to do. My interactions with the women in my life suggested that there was more I needed to do to support women. Ultimately, I recognized that I needed a degree to have the foundation to do the work I wanted to do supporting children and ending men's violence against women. This was my path and after fourteen years I determined that it was time to get it done and the School of Social Work would be the conduit. I wanted my Bachelor's degree in Social Work and I wanted it right away. The School of Social Work was the perfect environment for me. Educationaly, I was able to choose the classes and practicum experiences that would support my goals. Financially, the School of Social Work recommended me for a Graduate Opportunity Fellowship which allowed me to work fulltime on my Masters degree. Personally, the School supported and accommodated me. I was able to cozy up to instructors that were completing research in my areas of interest. More importantly the School supported and accommodated my family. |
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Sandra
L. McGee (MSW 1998)
Profession: Senior Counselor,Polk County Victim Services and Adjunct Instructor for the UI School of Social Work A degree in social work is well respected throughout the country and I feel it makes me very marketable. I have also been employed as an Adjunct Instructor for the University of Iowa Des Moines Center since 2000. As an instructor, I can offer students some of the wonderful learning opportunities that the faculty at the school of social work gave me. I feel my choice of careers as a social worker are not limited, I can choose to provide direct service work, administration/management, or education so I am very fortunate. My education in social work has given me the academic knowledge to deal with families, communities, policy makers, and other pertinent systems on behalf of victims of violent crime, as well as students. The practical side of the program gave me the opportunity to enhance my skills and develop new ones along the way. I am grateful to the faculty and staff and will always be somehow connected with the important work being accomplished by The University of Iowa. |
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Janice
Edmunds-Wells (MSW 2004) Profession: Consultant, Office of Multicultural Health-Iowa Dept. of Public Health I chose the MSW
degree and career in social work because of my desire to help others,
especially those that are disproportionately impacted by societal, political,
economic, educational and health related issues. As a non-traditional
older student who has been employed in the field of social work since
1974, the program allowed me the opportunity to place the correct name,
theory and practice with the skills which I had acquired. It allowed
an opportunity to enhance my knowledge base of current research in the
social and behavioral sciences arena as well as build an enhanced appreciation
for advanced learning opportunities. If it had not been for the flexibility
of evening hours, and the convenient location of the DM program I doubt
seriously if I would have been able to obtain an advanced degree. When
you are employed, raising a family and maintaining the responsibilities
of everyday life, you need an educational opportunity that will provide
you convenience. I also appreciated the assistance which was rendered
by the faculty. When you are a non-traditional student, location and
convenience is important, but understanding, compassionate, accessible
faculty are essential.
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Ed
Barnes (MSW 1999)
Profession: Executive Director of the Willkie House, Inc.and Adjunct Instructor for the UI School of Social Work While
I believe that passion or "burning" is a prerequisite to the
helping profession, education or "learning" is a requirement,
thus my pursuit of the MSW. The fact that the U of I School had a center
located in Des Moines was extremely attractive and the course work design
enabled me to advance my education while at the same time remain employed.
I am grateful and appreciative of my experience with the UI/DM Center.
The Center Director, instructors, and staff were challenging, demanding,
but also open to the student's active participation in their educational
process. The Des Moines Center actively and intentionally seeks and
supports students from ethnically diverse backgrounds, thus it is my
belief that is an approach that made the learning processes more comprehensive,
inclusive, and honest. Wilkie House is one of the oldest African American
community based organization in the state of Iowa (having been founded
in 1917)and one of the few remaining "settlement houses" in
the country. Its goal is to promote opportunities for young people focusing
in four primary areas: academic, social skill-building, health and recreation.
This is achieved through the delivery of evidenced based programming,
presented by a culturally competent and ethnically diverse staff.
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Mercedes
Bern-Klug (PhD, MSW ‘84, MA)
Profession: Assistant Professor in Social Work, The University of Iowa; Joint Appointment with the Aging Studies Program The UI Social Work program offered me the opportunity to complete my MSW in Des Moines. This option allowed me to gain valuable practicum experience with the State Mental Health Department, and with the only Alzheimer’s Disease Chapter in Iowa (at the time). I moved to Washington DC, and began a 12 year volunteer experience with the Alzheimer’s Association and completed a paid internship at the Social Security Administration, which was arranged by my Des Moines social work professor, Dr. Martin Tracy. I remained in DC for 8 years working on national projects enhancing the lives of older adults..The MSW proved to be an asset! |
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Profession: Catholic Charities, Hispanic Outreach Program My nurturing family,
growing up in Argentina during a cruel dictatorship, being the granddaughter
of immigrants and the daughter of parents with a medical role in the
community, were some of the factors that influenced my decision to study
social work. From an early age I have been interested in human behavior,
observing and helping people. I have learned while working in different
environments that some people encounter more challenges than others.
I wanted to choose a career that would give me the possibility to grow
and keep investigating about those challenges. I moved to the United
States when I was 19 years old. In the United States I found the support
of mentors that helped me to learn English, get an education, and establish
a relationship of trust in the community. I wanted a career that would
help me give back to the community, mentor and help others, and through
a master in social work I found those possibilities…. I also realized
that I wanted a job in which I could put my Spanish heritage, language
and understanding of the immigration experience to work. I work at Catholic
Charities of Des Moines for the Hispanic Outreach Program. I am involved
in doing bilingual individual, couples, and family counseling. I am
able to learn on a daily basis through experience and training. The
University of Iowa assisted me in having a good practicum in the same
organization where I work today. At the University of Iowa, I had wonderful
mentors, excellent opportunities for personal growth and people I can
rely on. It is a privilege to be an alumna of The University of Iowa
School
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