In this interview, MSW graduate Nicholas MacKenzie shares how his values led him to social work, the impact of studying at UBC, and how embracing challenge shaped both his personal and professional growth.
Why did you choose a career in social work?
I think no matter what, we find ourselves relying on others at some point in our lives and I wanted to be a part of a profession that offered that consistently. What drew me to social work particularly was the focus on notions like “community” and “social justice” over other social science disciplines. Ultimately, it just aligns more with my values to study mental health from a more holistic perspective; recognizing the positive impacts that things like community organizing, socially responsible public policy, and not-for-profit organizations can have on everyone’s mental health.
Why did you choose UBC School of Social Work?
Well, I completed my Bachelor of Social Work degree in Sudbury, Ontario and while it is becoming more diverse; at the time, Sudbury was largely home to Ojibwe and Métis communities, French Canadian settlers, and European settlers. For my Master’s degree, I wanted to broaden my perspectives by studying social work in a larger metropolitan area with a significantly different demographic. I’d be lying to you if I said UBC’s world class campus and Vancouver’s scenery didn’t sway me quite a bit as well.
Can you describe some highlights or challenges during your time at UBC?
I’ll be reiterating the last answer but a major highlight of completing my Master’s degree at UBC was the diversity of thought and perspectives from professors and classmates. It offered opportunities to broaden my understanding of social work that growing up in a northern Ontario community just couldn’t provide.
On the other hand, the biggest challenge completing a Master’s degree at UBC was the intensity of the program. Most weeks I was committing 6 days to my studies, which naturally, was physically and mentally exhausting. In the free time I did have, I spent much of it outdoors and was an accessible bus ride away from the heart of Vancouver. I must admit the Improv Centre on Granville Island was a personal favourite.
Would I do it all again? Absolutely, studying social work has been a profound catalyst in my life; offering opportunities for professional and arguably more importantly, personal growth.
Have you developed new interests or directions in your career? Where are you heading to in your career?
Following graduation, I’ve been working as a mental health therapist in both Alberta and Ontario. Recently, I moved back to where it all started in Sudbury, Ontario to start my own mental health therapy practice – MacKenzie Social Work Professional Corporation. So lots of changes and new challenges that I feel UBC Social Work prepared me for. I utilize narrative, cognitive-behavioural, and emotion-focused family therapies and rely on collaborative goal setting to address things like anxiety, stress, depression, emotional dysregulation, and relationship issues for folks from 11 to 111 years old (haha).
What advice would you give your younger self or to someone just starting their social work career?
Embrace the challenge! Allow yourself to be wrong both as a student and as a human being trying to navigate the world. Your values will likely be confronted and that’s okay, stay the course, you’ll come out a better social worker and person because of it.
