People change careers all the time. Some, for reasons having to do with salary or location, but some people change careers because they want to make a real difference in the world.
Social work is an incredibly impactful field, but it is also one that has a reputation for being challenging. Sometimes called the "MBA of the helping professions," a Master of Social Work (MSW) prepares driven change-makers to make a lasting impact on the lives of others.
If you've ever thought about making a career change to social work, then this student experience is a must-read.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your name, age, location, and academic background?
My name is Nikki Miller. I am 31 and now live in Dover, Ohio, right outside Amish Country.
I grew up in rural West Virginia and stayed close to home for my undergrad degree. While I’m happy to be a Mountaineer, I am also a proud daughter of Marshall. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University.
Did you secure a career post undergrad?
Following completion of my undergrad, I worked for multiple health and community service nonprofit organizations. While with College Summit, now Peer Forward, I handled event planning, media, community, and corporate relations, and assisted with grant writing for the West Virginia region.
Over the next few years, I worked for the Alzheimer’s Association West Virginia Chapter in development. I largely focused on event planning, corporate relationships, and peer-to-peer fundraising. Before my transition to social work, I spent time working for River Valley Child Development Services as a full-time grant writer.
What is it about social work that fascinates you? Why did you choose to make a career pivot to social work?
While I enjoyed the work I was doing in previous positions, my heart was longing to make more of an impact on people I saw struggling around me. I lived in an area where substance use disorder, homelessness, and kinship care was the norm. Resources existed — but were rarely utilized. I wanted to do more to connect people to services, whether that be medical and behavioral health or community resources, such as food, housing, and job placement.
In addition, over the past decade, I have seen a substantial shift towards a focus on social justice, specifically in marginalized populations. Expert training and knowledge in social work would allow me the opportunity to work in all of these important areas. My previous experiences can also help me to aid the communities I live in and assist the people with whom I work.
Did your previous professional experience compliment your switch to social work?
My undergrad degree really helped me develop the foundation for solid relationships and taught me how to practice effective communication, allowing me to successfully interact with others to achieve a certain goal, whether that be financially or programmatically. These skills laid the groundwork for developing rapport with clients and colleagues within my practice of social work.
In addition, while grant writing, I learned a great deal about how organizations function, as well as how they are funded. Having program management experience and financial knowledge helps with planning in my current position as we look at how to better assist those we serve.
Why did you choose to obtain the Master of Social Work at WVU, specifically?
I chose WVU for my Master of Social Work because it is a well-respected program among social workers I currently know. I wanted to attend a fully accredited program with staff dedicated to the success of their students. The department was wonderful at answering any questions I had and was so helpful during the application process.
Why did you choose to pursue WVU’s MSW online? Tell us about the flexibility of that experience.
I appreciated the flexibility WVU offered with a fully online program. I lived over four hours from Morgantown, working full time, and was a newlywed. I wanted so much to obtain a degree in the field of social work, but I knew it would never be possible if I had to spend hours in a lecture hall every night of the week.
WVU’s MSW online program fit perfectly into my life and allowed me to continue working and start a family. As I was reaching the end of my 20s, I didn’t want to put off anything any longer, particularly my dream of being a social worker or a mother. WVU's online MSW program allowed me to do both.
How did WVU’s MSW help you reach your career goals?
The experience with WVU’s program prepared me to succeed as a social worker. I built so many amazing relationships throughout my graduate program, both with professors and peers, that shape my work now each day.
When I entered this program, I had never done direct therapy services; I had never assessed a client for diagnosis; I had never built a treatment plan; but now, those are things I will do often comfortably in my career.
In five years, I see myself as a practicing social worker, delivering therapy in a medical setting, hopefully as an LCSW.
If you had one piece of advice for someone looking to make a career change, what would it be?
In my case, I was 27 years old and knew I needed a change. I kept telling myself it was too late, that it would take too much work and time. But in reality, no matter what, I was going to get older and in three years, I could be continuing to do a job that just paid my bills or in three years, I could be a Master of Social Work, spending every day loving the work I get to do.
Overall, I think it’s important to remember that it is never too late to figure out your dream and go for it.
Find the right graduate career changer program at WVU:
The Master of Social Work offered by the WVU School of Social Work prepares you to be a well-rounded advanced practitioner who can respond to the complex realities of practice in a variety of roles and settings.
To learn more, we invite you to request more information, subscribe to our monthly podcast for tomorrow’s graduate students, or start your online application today.
