Evolving Folks Project

Socialist Workers Unite!

I’m a licensed social worker with over 15 years of experience in the field. I’ve worked for schools, school districts, and major non-profit organizations. Volunteered as a mentor to youth, provided food to people experiencing homelessness, delivered meals to the elderly, and built homes for those in need. My clients have included fellow military veterans, high school students, and college-aged adults. When I transitioned from the military, where I gained my first professional experience, I often saw it as a boys’ club with guns. Then, I left the military for many reasons, but I was clear about my post-Navy career goals. My initial plan was to become a college professor, but things didn’t work out as planned.

I ended up in my second career field, which was social work. I transitioned from a workplace dominated by men to the “City of Ladies” in social work. The field isn’t what I imagined when I walked into grad school back in 2009. The decision to become a social worker was influenced by my time as a foster child and the inspiration of my grandmother, Lulu Jean Patton. She was the vice president of our community co-op, oversaw a summer youth lunch program, and aided elderly residents during the 1997 Chicago heatwave. My grandmother was a fierce and deeply religious woman. Her faith guided her to do good in the world. She once got arrested for unpaid speeding tickets and spent a night in jail. On the day of her release, she convinced the Chicago P.D. to release all the sex workers from lockup. She brought them to her church to get them resources and support.

She wasn’t a professional social worker, as my overpriced pieces of paper from the University of Chicago claim for me. But she embodied everything I want to be as a social worker. I don’t know if she were alive, how proud she’d be of me. I like to believe she would be very proud. However, my view of social work has changed drastically since the days of seeing my grandmother support people in our neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago over 30 years ago.

I’m going to share my three key thoughts on the field of social work. I can speak from my personal and professional experience in this field. Everyone’s social work journey will be different, but there are common threads that run throughout the field. A young MSW student may read my words, or a seasoned 20-plus-year social work veteran might read them too. Some might disagree, others might agree, and some might think I’m a damn fool. What’s true is these are my own thoughts and words about the state of social work.

One of the most diverse professions

My grandmother was also a street-level bureaucrat, working in program management. She was also involved in local politics. Thanks to her work with the religious community in Chicago, where she advocated for the less fortunate and even took in children from the foster care system, adopting some of them. Hell, she experienced the social work field from all levels.

However, during my first couple of years in the field, I realized the profession would try to pigeonhole us into being discount psychologists. They’ll want us to be therapists and pay us less than an actual psychologist. I learned in graduate school about the one-sided beef that psychology majors have with us social workers. Don’t worry, y’all will get jobs post-grad school. The mental health field needs all of us — social workers, counselors, and psychologists alike.

Also, the social work field goes far beyond mental health. We can work with labor unions, corporations, non-profits, hospitals, public policy organizations, community organizations, schools, universities, homeless shelters, child protective services, public libraries, and many more. It’s a vast field, and we social workers have many options. My career path is just one example of the diversity that being a professional social worker entails. I transitioned from working in schools and educational nonprofits to leading outdoor adventures for fellow veterans, helping them heal through nature.  

We’re not saviors

Regrettably, the need to be heroes motivates many people in the social work field. The white savior syndrome is something that can be pervasive among some of my colleagues. Social workers aren’t miracle workers. Saving everyone is beyond our reach, which is an impossible undertaking for just one person.

The problem with the savior mentality is that organizations can exploit young social workers’ passion for wanting to make the world a slightly better place. They’ll pay you a pittance and expect you to do several people’s jobs. All because you wanted to help. It’s essential to maintain a work-life balance, even if you run your own private practice or organization. Know your worth and the skillset you bring to the table. Trying to save everyone and everything can lead to burnout and disillusionment. Clients must have their own self-determination. We can’t do it for them. Most social workers are working with what they have.

The System Failed Us All

Speaking of working with what we’ve got. As social workers, we face tremendous odds every day. We assist older adults living on fixed incomes, veterans without housing, and students from households experiencing financial instability. Those with the most wealth and authority frequently find their interests prioritized within the U.S. political system. Even with the support of the best social worker, the average Joe can still face a mountain of obstacles. Our clients, like all people, encounter the sting of sexism, the weight of racism, the fear of homophobia, and the burden of classism. Implementing universal social safety programs, including Medicare for All, free public-school lunches, universal basic income, and affordable and free public colleges, universities, and trade schools, would be a boon to many.

It won’t solve all the nation’s problems, but these programs would also help social workers. We could focus on individuals’ specific needs and goals. A more robust social safety net would help everyone have a fair chance and prevent difficulties for our clients and their families. I’d rather see my tax money used for affordable housing and school lunches instead of sending more weapons to the rogue nation of Israel, which would then use them to kill defenseless Palestinian civilians. Indeed, personal accountability is essential, yet societal shortcomings also arise from a system that privileges the wealthy. With everyone else left fighting over the crumbs. Another world is possible, and it will be up to us to make it a reality.

Hearing from former students or veterans I’ve worked with over the years gives me hope. Men, women, and individuals who’ve overcome outstanding odds to make their lives better. I have seen veterans with PTSD, disabilities, and moral injury who could not leave their homes. Only to find healing in the outdoors and to become leaders in the outdoors. Even changed careers to work in the outdoor industry. I’ve seen students who came from broken homes and troubled relationships overcome these disadvantages and achieve successful careers in corporate America, as well as in small business ownership, the military, education, and photography. They’re getting married, having families, and still have close friendships with their peers who attended the same program. Sometimes I questioned my career choices, my student debt, and my sanity regarding my chosen profession. But success stories like these, hearing from former clients and how I helped them for the better, make it worth it.