!
FALL 2011
SW Alumni Perspectives
Leadership in SW
Omar Lopez, MSW 2001
Leadership could be a concept that
might be overlooked by students
during their academic career as they
pursue a social work degree. I
remember feeling overwhelmed after
the first week of orientation with the
amount of information that was
given to my cohort. This only got
worse after the first week of classes
as the expectations of graduate
school were now a reality. However,
I soon realized with the help of
faculty, that feeling overwhelmed
was not abnormal at this stage.
Furthermore, that “a step-at-a-time”
approach to follow a path towards
graduation two years down the line
was the best advice that I had
received.
I would like to share part of my
post-MSW trajectory with you.
Since my graduation in 2001, I have
attempted to be a leading agent of
Social Work Chapter
change that adheres closely to our
SDSU Alumni Association
NASW Code of Ethics. That
approach has allowed me to serve
Vision
our communities through several
The SDSU
professional and non-profit board
Social Work Alumni Chapter
positions. I spent eight years
working for Child Welfare Services
is a dynamic, engaging
in San Diego in an array of service
community that nurtures and
delivery, administrative and
supports Social Work
supervisory positions as I
Professionals and Students
concurrently served as an Executive
Board officer for SEIU, a Union that
Mission
represents County workers.
To
promote
a sense of
Professionally, I also had the
pride and community among
pleasure to work one year as field
Social Work professionals
faculty for my graduate alma mater
After I internalized the
as I then moved on to my current job
by celebrating our
aforementioned advice, I became a
as Clinical Assistant Professor for
many contributions and
better learner and my focus shifted a the USC School of Social Work at
by cultivating opportunities
bit. I was not only letting the
the San Diego Academic Center
for networking, education,
theoretical frameworks from HBSE, where I am responsible for field
professional growth, and
practice, policy, etc. come to me “a
activities, academic advising and
social action.
step-at-a-time” but I also started to
teaching leadership; a required class
gravitate towards activities that
to graduate. In my pursuit of
We’re Better Together!
resonated with a statement from Dr. becoming a leading agent of change,
Maria Zuñiga, a now retired SDSU
I will start a doctorate program in
professional development. I am
professor: “A social worker is a
educational leadership this fall.
forever grateful for the graduate
leading agent of change”. I became
school experiences and opportunities
involved in the leadership of student
I went into the MSW program
that allowed me to embrace
organizations as I found a venue, to
thinking that it was just going to
leadership concepts into my social
go along with my field practicum, to provide me with those letters after
put into practice what I was learning. my name so that I could get a better work practice. As you enter your
social work program, remember that
That involvement supplemented the job. However, by the end of my
leadership takes place at all levels of
teaching from faculty as I slowly
MSW journey I discovered that
an organization and that we all have
morphed, without noticing, into a
social work in fact became an
new person by the end of graduate
extension of who I am as a person. the potential to be effective
leaders… this is your chance to get
school who was committed to be “a Acceptance of this discovery has
started in becoming a leading agent
leading agent of change.”
brought a great deal of joy to my
of change!
!
PAGE 1
!
FALL 2011
Your Scale Has Been Tipped
Nicole Loebach, MSW 2008
Graduate school was never designed for a lifestyle
of peaches and sun. Instead, it is a world of extreme
fast pace, constant chaos of change, and doing things
that are new or out of your comfort zone. It is not
uncommon to get lost in all the confusion and
intensity and forget that through it all, you are the
most important in all of this. Taking care of yourself
and maintaining your sense of well-being is crucial.
As a graduate of the Masters in Social Work and
Masters in Public Health dual degree program, I
struggled with the issue of maintaining well-being or
health. When I speak of health, I mean the holistic
concept of health whose key component is balance. It
is hard to keep the lifestyle you may have had prior to
graduate school. Time is short, money even shorter,
and now you have more demands on you between
school, work, and family which all need 100% of
your attention. You can't continue the life you had
before and so you start letting go of certain things.
For many students, this means paying less attention to
the one thing you have control of—you. There are
consequences to this, which in turn makes every other
aspect of life difficult. The usual doctor advice for
this is proper diet, exercise, and plenty of sleep. Well,
I am going to encourage the harm reduction approach.
Take that walk when you can, try to make as many
lunches at home as you can, and slow down whenever
you can. Going with the flow is probably the most
difficult because there is constant change over which
you really have very little control. And remember,
you are not alone. You have a built in support group
that knows exactly what you are going through. --If
this isn't social work at its best, I don't know what is.
So be good to yourself, don't take things too seriously,
and grab those moments of peace and relaxation when
you can. Time will fly and you will have proved to
yourself, how amazing you really are.
SW Alumni Chapter News
Jo Anne DeJaco, MSW 2010
The excitement and opportunities continue! What an amazing year the SDSU Social Work Alumni Chapter has
experienced. With hard work and dedication, our chapter provided students, alumni members, and colleagues the
opportunity to experience a variety of events.
Events this past year were a culmination of our diverse interests and professional experiences, including social,
educational, and philanthropic engagements. Here are a few highlights of the past year. The fall began with
organizing and hosting Dr Haynes, President of Cal State San Marcos, in an inspiring presentation on leadership
and social work. We also worked in collaboration with the SDSU School of Social Work in presenting the
department’s current research at a wine and cheese social. The Alumni Chapter has carried on the tradition of our
work in the SDSU SW student groups in collaborating with other professional organizations and in supporting our
community. Together with the Latino Social Work Network and the SDSU Latino Student Social Work
Association, we supported the annual Food Basket collection for families in need at the Logan Heights Pre
School. Our casual events have provided the opportunity to network and relax. Both a dessert reception and wine
and cheese social brought new professionals and seasoned social workers together to share in networking,
resources and conversation.
In the coming year, the SDSU SW Alumni chapter will continue to offer many opportunities to participate in
organizing, networking, and experiencing our continued growth in the community. Whether you are a recent
graduate or an experienced alumni in the field, we welcome you to join us for a meeting, social event, or
workshop. We look forward to your support, new ideas, and participation!
!
PAGE 2
!
FALL 2011
There’s Always Enough Time
Ke!ie Scott, MSW 2010
I was a transfer student to SDSU. During my
orientation something that stuck with me was hearing
the fact that those involved in student organizations
have higher GPAs than students who don’t. During
my first 2 years I felt unconnected to the school;
going only to class and leaving right away to get to
work. I had heard about a few of the student
organizations but was hesitant to join one. How
would I find time between school, internship, and
work? And which one should I choose; certainly I
don’t have time for two. During my policy class
some students from the Social Action Committee
(SAC) came to talk about Legislative Lobby Days. I
became very interested and went to their next
meeting. I found the group to be a perfect fit for me.
The group members were all very nice, listened to
everyone’s input on agenda items, and provided
support for each other. They were from all levels in
the school, from transfer students to graduate
students. I found it easy to find time for SAC,
meetings were only once a month for just an hour
and a half over coffee.
I then went with another member to the Latino
Student Social Work Association (LSSWA). This was
a completely different experience being held at the
LSSWA Advisor’s house, a potluck, and much larger.
Between the two groups I felt involved and proud of
what we were doing as Social Workers. I rallied and
led groups at the state capital, helped plan donations
for an orphanage in Tijuana, sent letters to our state
representatives, helped organize a pavilion at Fiesta
Del Sol, rallied at the school during state budget cuts,
participated in the CHHS council meetings, proposed
a change to the School’s Curriculum Committee to
integrate time spent at Lobby Days towards field
hours, and assisted in preparing the graduation
breakfast. The best part was I could pick and choose
the activities I participated in. At the end of my
senior year I was nominated for president of SAC.
Again I became worried about my time commitment
because I had applied to the one-year MSW program
at SDSU. However, my involvement in student
organizations greatly helped my application to
graduate school. My involvement in all of the
student activities showed commitment and
!
leadership, I gained a wonderful letter of
recommendation from the SAC advisor, and
invaluable advice from SAC members who were at
the time already in the MSW program. I was
accepted to the one-year program and took on the
role of President of SAC.
Although it was a time commitment I felt the
support that the other members brought made my
graduate experience more valuable, enjoyable, and
exciting. My student involvement ultimately led to
my nomination as CHHS’ Graduate Student of the
Year. Once graduation came around my involvement
greatly helped me again when applying for jobs.
Although I didn’t have much work experience,
because of my involvement I could show leadership,
teamwork, commitment, and passion for social work,
and obtained wonderful references. I also chose to
continue my involvement by joining the Social Work
Alumni, which I now serve as treasurer. I wasn’t long
before I found a job that fit my interests and abilities
at the Academy for Professional Excellence where I
am now the Geriatric Training Coordinator. I now
hope that my involvement will continue to assist me
in my academic career when applying to postgraduate school. So when you are thinking about
joining something that truly interests you, remember
that it’s worthwhile and there is always enough time.
PAGE 3
!
FALL 2011
Never Say Never!
Agnes Hajak, MSW 2007
I was a new immigrant when I started the Master in Social Work
(MSW) program at SDSU School of Social Work. My fiancé, a GermanCzech gentleman, a service engineer who I met in Manila, asked me to
come to United States and settle down with him. I left my social work
career in the Philippines. At that time, I did not know where and how to
start my life in the US. I tried looking for a job in social work. However,
my community organizing skills were not a fit for the available jobs. I
ended up getting a clerical job just to earn a living. After a couple of
years of continuous search, I finally found a social work job. An adult day
health center advertised for a social worker who spoke Tagalog. Although
I knew the basics of social work methods, it was a big transition from
macro to micro practice. Luckily, I was supervised by a Licensed Clinical
Social Worker who was a graduate of San Diego State University. She
inspired me to pursue an MSW.
At age 42, I thought it was too late to go back to school. My English
grammar was terrible and my accent was very strong. I felt that nobody
understood me when I spoke English. My interest in developing my
clinical skills in social work made me decide to go back to school.
Initially, I signed up for the 3-year MSW program but ended up
completing it in 5 years. Just like many immigrants, I had so many life
challenges such as adjusting to US life, married life, work life, and school
life. I almost gave up. I did not pass the Comprehensive Exam the first
time. And on the last try, I passed with the highest score. Thanks to the
support of my therapist, my friends and my caring professors….YES, I
made it through. It was a hard earned degree and I take pride in it.
Now that I am an Associate Clinical Social Worker, I don’t have any
regrets that I went back to school even though it took me a long time. It
was a bumpy ride so to speak. I later realized that the emotional roller
coaster of completing my MSW program prepared me to face the real
world. At present, I am working with a non-profit organization managing
a multicultural program for seniors. I have the best of both worlds doing
macro and micro practice.
What I learned in the process? Pursuing an MSW is like guiding us to
grow as a person. I always remind myself to be in the moment; stick to
my learning goals; manage my limited time wisely; not to procrastinate;
have a learners mind; the process is as important as the content; enjoy the
group work because it is in group dynamics where we get the insights and
wisdom to become a team player. Lastly, NEVER SAY NEVER…..break
that negative core belief…transform it into….YES I CAN!
Social Work Chapter
SDSU Alumni Association
Leadership Team
MICHELLE FOY
President
DORI WESTFALL
Vice President
KELLIE SCOTT
Treasurer
JENNIE HOLLIS
Secretary/Newsletter Editor
ALI HULTEN
Communications
JOANNE DEJACO
Events
ANA CHOZA-HUNT
MONICA BONILLA
Community Outreach
LAVONNA CONNELLY
Membership
Editors Note: Do you have experiences
or words of wisdom to share with next
year’s Social Work students? Alumni
Authors wanted to write short 500
word article for SW Alumni Perspectives.
Contact:
sdsusocialworkchapter@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook @ SDSU Social Work Alumni Chapter
For information about our chapter or to be added to our email list, contact us at: sdsusocialworkchapter@gmail.com
!
PAGE 4