Two leaders within the Newman University School of Education and Social Work — Yelando Johnson and Vanessa Rials — discussed the value of social work during a recent episode of “The Newman Bond” podcast.
“Social workers often meet people in one of the most vulnerable or worst times of their lives,” Rials, director of field education said. “We’re there to assist them through that, to give them resources and to pick people up.”
Both Rials and Johnson pursued different degrees before social work.
For Johnson, who serves as program director of Newman’s Master of Social Work program along with associate professor and division chair of social work, it was nursing; for Rials, it was education.
The commonality for both was the desire to help people.
Johnson and Rials addressed the stereotype of what a career in social work entails.
“Back when I was a student, the only thing I knew about social work was that they go into your homes and they take away all your children,” Johnson said.
“That is the stereotypical idea of social work,” Rials affirmed. “And then I realized how diverse we are. We are in universities, hospitals, schools, courtrooms; we serve as executive directors. Wichita is doing a good job of incorporating social workers in the police department now. We are everywhere.”
In the podcast episode, Johnson and Rials discussed programs available at Newman University, opportunities to advocate for others and other rewards of working in the field.
I’m proud to be a social worker.
Vanessa Rials
The Newman Master of Social Work program offers students a supportive education in the classroom and in field education. With a trauma-competent focus, the curriculum prepares clinical, school and administrative practitioners with the necessary trauma competencies to deliver high-quality, responsive services.
“The possibilities are really endless,” Johnson said. “If you want to get a solid foundation in your social work program, I encourage you to come talk to us.”
Rials added, “It (gives you) job security, too, because it’s only growing. We look at all the changes coming to Wichita with the behavioral health center and the state hospital that’s coming. The jobs, positions and pay are only increasing because we need more social workers — not just in the field, but in leadership.”
Explore the Master of Social Work degree at Newman
The Master of Social Work program offers students a supportive and individual education in the classroom and in field education.
