-: Certainly social work is what I was educated in,
having degrees both in Bachelors and Masters Social Work
provided me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities
frankly to become the leader that I have become
over the last 25 years.
Certainly there are other disciplines;
psychology, psychiatry, nursing, mental health areas,
and addictions all encompass these various aspects
of our work, so students certainly could
apply themselves through those fields
and achieve leadership positions as well.
Work at local community organizations,
so right next to campus here
the community of Ludlow in North Philadelphia,
I work there helping folks living in public housing
to help improve their conditions.
I had opportunities to work with groups like
The Center for Responsive Funding
that looked about fundraising financing
for Human Services.
I also had the opportunities to volunteer
for homeless programs and others.
All those experiences helped to give me
the knowledge and values that I can build on
in my later career.
Perseverance and again, if you get turned around,
I can't tell you the number of jobs
that I got turned down for.
But you have to keep applying yourself,
and look for those opportunities time and time again
'cause they will be there.
The old adage of course about, it's who you know,
is also critical so you don't wanna ever
burn bridges, you know, the kinda connections
that you can make on campus in the community,
with other students, with professors
are crucial to help getting that first job.