Life is a journey of twists and turns. It is a series of lessons and experiences that lead and direct us. When I graduated from college, I did not have a clear direction. I started graduate school, initially studying Marriage and Family Therapy. After two semesters in the program, I still felt incomplete and off track. I took a year off to work and find my calling.

During that year, I worked with low-income women and their families. I was responsible for coordinating childcare and children’s activities while their moms or grandmothers were in classes learning jobs and life skills. I remember vividly a little girl disclosing abuse to me and making my first ever DCS report. This year clarified my calling and directed me to social work.

Over the last two decades, life has continued to have its twists and turns, but my love for social work has not changed. I have learned the importance of continuing to grow and develop as a social worker. I have continued to seek out opportunities to improve my skills, which has led me to enroll in the University of Memphis Graduate Certificate program for play therapy and school social work.

Reflecting on my twenty years in the social work field has been eye-opening. I had dreams and aspirations when I entered the field.  I see how my experiences and opportunities changed some of those dreams. For many years, I told people, “I did not go into social work to work with children.” I laugh at that thought now. I realize that my early positions prepared me to work with parents. In contrast, my recent positions have guided me to a deeper connection and motivation to serve children, youth, and the whole family.