What attracted you to the position?
During my undergraduate studies at Saint Catherine University, I interned at Ramsey County in Child Protection Investigations/Family Assessment and became extremely passionate about the work. I obtained the Title IV-E grant (child welfare stipend) from the University of Minnesota and completed another internship at Ramsey County in Ongoing Child Protection (case management). Shortly after completing this internship I was awarded my position at Anoka County. It is fair to say that I am very passionate about keeping children safe and protecting their well-being.
What has been the most rewarding part of job? What has been the struggle in your line of work?
Child protection is a challenging field of social work for the obvious reasons. The biggest struggle for me is having to make extremely difficult decisions that will impact families for the rest of their lives. I often question why I have the authority to make such decisions or recommendations. However, my job is extremely rewarding for many reasons. It’s rewarding to help families build on their positive traits and correct whatever situation warranting child protection involvement. It is also rewarding to know that I am contributing to the continued safety and well-being of children.
How have you grown personally and/or professionally in this job opportunity?
This job has matured me in so many ways both personally and professionally. I have professionally matured into a person who values trusting relationships and the support of a good team and supervisor. I have really learned the value of good supervision, which is something that is stressed in the social worker profession. I have developed compassion for hearing the stories of others and developing empathy for life circumstances. Personally, this job has enhanced my desire to help children in my own community. I have grown a lot in my desire to leave no situation undone when it comes to children reaching their full potential.
What are goals and future plans?
My goal and future plan is to receive my clinical license and contract with counties as a therapist for children and families involved in child protection. Right now, I am working on getting the supervision hours to take the clinical license.
What are you passionate about?
I am extremely passionate about my work with families and children. I feel as though I help make a difference in a lot of my client’s life and am hopeful that I have impacted them in positive ways. I am passionate about continued education and learning new things to advance my competence in social work and child welfare.
How has your life and your education at St. Kate's prepared your life after college?
I definitely relay on the basic social work principles I learned throughout my time at Saint Catherine University every day. I use empathy and the relationship building skills daily.
When did you graduate from St. Catherine University and with what degree?
I graduated from St. Catherine University in 2013 with a Bachelors in Social Work.
What are you doing since graduating?
Immediately after graduating for Saint Catherine University I began Graduate school at the University of Minnesota.
I received my Master’s in Social Work December 2014. A few weeks prior I received my license and am now a Licensed Graduate Social Worker.
What is your position and what do you do?
I am a Child Protection Social Worker at Anoka County.
I provide case management services to children and families involved in child protection. I work with families both voluntarily and with court involvement. I work with families anywhere from six months to a full year. I work closely with service providers and the county attorney’s office to provide the need resources for families to succeed.