Meet Cellina, an alumna of the UBC School of Social Work, and follow along as she answers some questions about the BSW program and pursuing a career in social work.
A bit about me:
Hi everyone, my name is Cellina, and I’m a registered social worker! I have background experience working in mental health and substance use in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, engaging with the colourful community there as a support worker. Most recently, however, I have switched gears to working as a hospital social worker in pediatric healthcare. I have the pleasure of working with amazing and resilient children, youth, and families in various areas and units across the hospital in both inpatient and outpatient settings, such as the Neonatal ICU, the Medical Surgery Unit, and most primarily, the outpatient Neuromotor Program.
Why choose UBC’s School of Social Work?
UBC’s School of Social Work stands out because of its strong sense of community and focus on student involvement. Every cohort has the opportunity to actively participate in student democracy – whether that’s running for student representative roles, voting, or sharing their voice within the School Council. I had the privilege of being one of the school council reps for my cohort, where I actively practiced advocacy skills by representing my peers’ concerns and ideas to faculty and staff during school council meetings. That alone felt like real-world social work! Another thing that sets UBC’s School of Social Work apart is its in-person delivery, unlike many schools across Canada that focus on distance education, rather. In-person learning made a huge difference for me – it encouraged deeper connections with peers, a more hands-on approach to learning, and active engagement within the classroom. Honestly, some of my most cherished friendships and professional connections came from those face-to-face interactions in the program.
How has the BSW program shaped your career?
The BSW program has entirely helped shape my career in social work! Besides the requisite credentials needed for this career, the BSW program fully equipped me with the experience, knowledge, and skillset I needed to feel confident in my role as a social worker. But beyond the professional development, the program also impacted me on a personal level. The most invaluable skill that the program has taught me is critical reflexivity – a practice that encourages us to think critically about our social location, the power and privilege we hold, as well as the positive and negative impact we have on others. This continuous self-reflection enables me to practice gratitude every day and approach my work with transparency and humility. The BSW program allowed me to grow both as a professional and as a person in so many ways.
What is your favourite thing about Social Work?
For me, it’s all about the therapeutic relationship we build with clients. This is the foundation of social work – it’s built on empathy, trust, impartiality, and meeting people where they’re at in their lives. The ultimate goal to fostering this relationship is to create a safe space that helps clients achieve their goals. But what I find really special about it, is that this relationship is reciprocal. Social work doesn’t just help the people we serve – it can also heal and shape us as providers. For me, being able to support someone on their journey toward positive change is such a fulfilling experience. Social work has definitely taught me a lot about myself, and I’m grateful for the ways it continues to enrich my life.
What would you say to someone considering a career in social work?
If you’re someone who is passionate about social justice and making positive change, then social work is the right field for you. One of the best things about this profession is its incredible breadth – you’ll find social workers making an impact in all parts of society! Whether you know for sure or not that you want to be a social worker, having a background in social work will always be an asset to have that opens so many doors for diverse career prospects. To add to this, your passion is needed now more than ever. As political landscapes shift, globalization evolves, and economic challenges grow, so too do inequities and complex social issues. So now is the time when society and the profession of social work needs driven people like yourselves to join us in this empowerment movement, called social work!
