Ep 34 - Conversation with Megan Mejia, a current Social Worker graduate student
Apr 3, 2023
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Megan Mejia discusses her journey as a Social Worker graduate student, focusing on combining faith/spirituality with mental health. She explores her educational transition, career discovery, challenges in the social work program, balancing full-time work and self-care, reconnecting with her Latino heritage, and evolving a social work Instagram account for advocacy and community engagement.
Megan rebranded her Instagram to focus on healing through faith and mental health.
Boundaries and self-care are crucial for social work students
Client empowerment is essential in social work case management
Productivity should not be the sole measure of worth in social work
Advice for social work students includes balancing priorities and promoting client autonomy
The social work platform emphasizes transparency and advocacy for systemic change
Deep dives
Starting the Social Work Account for Networking and Connecting
The speaker initiated the social work Instagram account to connect with others in the social work community due to feeling isolated in their program. Initially aiming for networking, the content of the page transitioned to include informative and transparent posts, now primarily focusing on Reels content.
Transparency and Advocacy on Social Work Page
The speaker's social work platform emphasizes transparency and advocacy, addressing systemic issues within the field openly. They aim to call attention to both positive and challenging aspects of social work, encouraging honest dialogue and a focus on necessary improvements.
Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Self-Care
The importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care is highlighted for social work students. Recognizing the value of self-care and understanding personal limitations to avoid burnout is emphasized, advocating for e overall well-being in the demanding field.
Focusing on Client Empowerment in Case Management
For social workers engaged in case management, the speaker emphasizes the significance of client empowerment. They stress the importance of teaching clients independence and life skills rather than fostering learned helplessness, guiding students to empower their clients towards self-sufficiency.
Lessons on Productivity and Teaching Self-Reliance
The speaker imparts knowledge on navigating productivity expectations in case management, highlighting that worth extends beyond mere productivity. Encouraging the teaching of clients to accomplish tasks independently fosters self-reliance and autonomy, aligning with the ethos of empowering individuals to thrive independently.
Balancing Realities and Wellness Advice for Social Work Students
Advice for social work students includes navigating systemic constraints, promoting client self-sufficiency, and maintaining personal wellness. Balancing priorities, setting boundaries, and guiding clients towards autonomy are underscored as crucial elements within the dynamic field of social work.
Educational and Career Guidance for Social Work Students
Insights for social work students encompass educational guidance, career considerations, and personal development. Emphasizing the empowerment of clients, self-care practices, and the importance of setting boundaries are key pillars for students embarking on their social work journey.
Networking and Advocacy Through the Social Work Platform
The social work account serves as a platform for networking, advocacy, and community-building. With a focus on transparency, systemic change, and individual empowerment, the speaker's page fosters a supportive environment for social work students and professionals.
Empowering Clients and Promoting Autonomy in Social Work
Empowering clients and instilling self-reliance are central themes in the speaker's approach to social work. Advocating for client autonomy through teaching life skills and fostering independence underscores the goal of enabling individuals to navigate challenges and thrive independently.
Navigating Systemic Challenges and Advocating for Change
Addressing systemic challenges and advocating for change in the social work field are key objectives for the speaker's platform. By promoting transparency, client empowerment, and wellness strategies, the speaker aims to effect positive transformations within the field.
Promoting Self-Care and Resilience in Social Work Students
Encouraging self-care practices and resilience building is crucial for social work students. Alongside advocating for client empowerment, setting boundaries, and navigating productivity expectations, prioritizing personal well-being and establishing a balanced approach to social work are highlighted as essential components of success.
In this episode, I speak with Megan Mejia, a current Social Worker graduate student in the state of California. We talked about the social work field and how it compares to other master-level therapist degrees. Megan has rebranded her instagram page recently and is now focusing on a new mission to help people heal utilizing faith/spirituality and mental health. While this wasn't discussed on this episode, you can check her out on Instagram @restoredbyfaith to learn more!
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Thank you!
Connect with me on Instagram - @student.counselor.podcast
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