From www.taylor.edu - Taylor University, integrating faith and learning

Alumni Profiles

Photo of Jessica HammonJessica Hammon '06

Current occupation: Case manager for Mystic Valley Elder Services in Malden, Mass., a job she got right out of college. "It was easy for me to get a job. It was the first resume I put out ... The fact that I had a social work major specifically, as opposed to psychology or some other major, I know was one of the requirements for the job."

What she does: Works with 65 elderly clients, coordinating services to help them live independently. "We send in people to clean their house or give them showers or do their shopping."

Why she chose the social work major: "I had always been interested in working with people and helping people."

Favorite part of the major: The junior and senior practicums. "It actually gets you out in the field and gets you doing social work, so you find out if it's what you really want to do ... By the time I was graduating and actually sending out my resume, I just had a lot of great experience that I could put on it."

        

Photo of Jeffrey BontragerJeffrey Bontrager '98

Current occupation: Medical doctor doing a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at Indiana University Medical School in Indianapolis.

What he's done:

  • Day treatment counselor for teens in the justice system at Savio House in Denver
  • Educated Spanish speakers about expanded Medicaid options while working for Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis
  • Case management and therapy for people with mental illnesses through El Centro de las Familias in Denver
  • Did family therapy with Spanish speakers in Denver through Catholic Charities
  • Graduated from Vanderbilt Medical School in Nashville, Tenn.

Why he chose the social work major: "I felt like I would come out with at least set of people skills that would help me out in whatever I did ... I just wanted to help others."

On using the major as a springboard to medical school: "After I had done social work for a few years, I really enjoyed digging in with people and getting to know them and figure out how best to help them ... Were I to do it again, I think I would still do the social work."

    

Photo of Lauren SmithermanLauren Smitherman '06

Current occupation: Medical social worker at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Mich. - a job she landed after going to earning a master's in social work at the University of Michigan.

What she does: Discharge planning. "You get to work with families in a lot of crisis situations. When someone's sick families are seeking information to plan for a safe discharge from the hospital - home, nursing facility or rehab - I enjoy being able to provide that information."??

Why she chose the social work major: Multiple job opportunities for making a difference"I went into social work for the reason a lot of people did - I wanted to help people."

    
     

Photo of Susannah McClainSusannah McClain '98

Current occupation: Medical resident in the dermatology program at the University of Maryland.

On the crossover between social work and medicine: "You do social work pretty much in every job that you interact with people anyway - just a lot of networking and caring for patients because they have limited insurance. It is a different approach to medicine. It's really gratifying to see people here in front of you. People are really happy when you treat them."??

On using the major as a springboard to medical school: "I absolutely wouldn't trade that (social work) background. It just gives you a holistic perspective as opposed to (just) the medicine right in front of you."