A common motif in the system of care for families, youth, and/or young adults as a subject is education, hence the focus on an education facilitator when canvassing the subject. Reginald Madden, my interviewee for the instant essay is the Program Manager and College Liaison at York Early College Academy (YECA). He also happens to be my internship supervisor. Many social work-based programs seek to improve some element of the lives of the target population as opposed to education that is comprehensive. Educating youth, to some extent, aids their current and future families. It also helps the youth become an asset to the community as opposed to either a burden or a liability. The totality of the above makes the area of social work that deals with youth education among the most important vocations within the wider social work arena.
Selected Interviewee
Justification of Choice
As outlined above, my choice of the interviewee is my internship supervisor Reginald Madden, the Program Manager and College Liaison for YECA. YECA is a New York City Early College Public School that has partnered with the City University of York College to provide education for youths. As a program manager, Madden is involved in the administrative aspects of the organization which has a lot to do with social work. Providing education for young people involves having close interaction with them and the alleviation of the social and environmental issues that might stand in the way of their education. As a future social worker, education has been of special interest to me since it is more than just an injection of knowledge in the minds of students. I instead view education from a holistic perspective being arguably the best thing that can happen to a young person. For example, staying in school can be an ample way of keeping young people from troubles such as substance abuse, violent crimes, and incarceration. Conversely, being in school can equip young people and enable them to have a productive future for themselves and the community they live in. It is this approach that led me to interview Madden. Further, as the YECA program manager, Madden understands the social issues that affect youths from a practical not theoretical perspective as they are issues that he has had to deal with directly based on my personal knowledge having worked under him. It is based on the above that I opined that interviewing Madden would give me insights into the vagaries affecting young people from a social perspective. Indeed, young people are the segment of community I intent to work with in my post-MSW future.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Interviewee ’s Educational Background
Academic excellence has been one of the keys that have enabled Madden to not only get the position he works in but also excel in. Madden has not only attained a post-graduate education to a master’s level but is also pursuing his doctorate in education. As a youth, Madden studied at the Queens Gateway To Health Sciences Secondary School, a public school with a focus on health issues. Madden graduated with his student Diploma then proceeded to the City College of New York where he attained his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Soon after, he would proceed to Queens College where he would eventually graduate with a Master of Arts degree in Urban Affairs and a double major in history. His determination to reach the zenith of formal education has now seen him enroll at the prestigious Saint John’s University for a doctorate in education with a focus on Instructional Leadership.
Professional Background
A focus on youth has been a common motif in Madden’s professional background. For a start, he has worked in law enforcement, a segment of government that is very influential in youth affairs. Among the organizations he has worked in include Queens District Attorney’s Office and The Fund for Modern Courts and King County Supreme Court. From law enforcement, Madden developed an interest in youth education. His humble beginning started at York College at the York College Dean’s Office as the Dean’s assistant. Gradually, he rose to hold a variety of jobs within the same organization, York College, including The Dean and Manager to York College Students Academic Affair, VP Academic Affairs, the Program Manager and College Liaison at YECA.
Challenges Interviewee Experienced in Achieving Departmental Missions
Madden ’s primary challenge is limited professional support in his multiple roles that more often than not leave him both overworked and overwhelmed. He argues that his job is more of a calling than a professional affiliation hence his undying desire to see everything done right. However, he happens to be all alone and grappling with a variety of issues that require his attention. His job is complicated by the knowledge that dealing with youth education leaves no room for error, as a mistake or oversight can forever change the live of one of his students. For example, when there are liaison issues between the YECA high school and the university, he often finds himself with no one to deputize. He has, however, taken his challenges positively and used them as a learning experience that has enabled him to develop several nuggets of wisdom. For a start, when he needs something to be done right, it works best if he bequeaths it to a business person as opposed to a volunteer. Secondly, he always has a plan B for everything he does and plans so that when the main plan fails, he is not stranded. The massive burden of handling student issues, as he is the only staff at the York College to assist the students while they are on campus grounds has also taught him to quickly read situations and react accordingly. Madden is also quick to note that being overwhelmed on a regular basis affects his work-life balance, but it is such a rewarding feeling to him because he sees his work, effort and passion in the students having an education
NASW Social Work Values
Maddens professional acumen is to a large extent based on National Association of Social Workers work values. Among the values he treasures the most are service, social justice, integrity, and competence. As he puts it, most people would consider him as a leader, being dean and all but he sees himself as being there to serve. He also seeks to attain social justice even for the least who fall under his department and always seeks to uphold integrity. Finally, his pursuit for competence has seen him continue to study hard academically and otherwise so as to always better his best.
Funding for the Agency
Madden ’s operations are funded by a grant from the City University of York College. The funds also cater for the needs of students who fall under YECA, a part that augments Madden’s obligations under social work. He, therefore, has to carefully account for all his spending.
Interviewees Professional Recommendations
Madden provided impressive advice and recommendation from a professional and career perspective when it comes to social work. For a start, Madden indicated that working in social work is more of a calling than a professional affiliation. Therefore, to be successful as a social worker, everyone needs what he called a ‘why’ which is essentially the purpose of choosing the profession. Due to the challenges in social work, it is easy to either give up or eventually cut corners, to the detriment of others unless one has a sound purpose. However, having a calling does not negate the need for academic and professional competence as social work is hard work that needs to be done right. It is thus important to get certifiable education and also knowledge about social work. Most importantly, social work as a profession and in practice changes from time to time hence the learning process for social worker never ends. Finally, a good social worker should also have a mentor according to Madden. The mentor will provide the social worker with information, support, and guidance. A good mentor is not only necessary when the social worker feels overwhelmed and in need of assistance but also when the social worker feels fully in control to avoid the kind of overconfidence that leads to mistakes.
Tips/Suggestions for Job Market
With regard to the job market, Madden suggests that it is important to commence building networks as early as possible through inter alia using the mentor. Social work is, to some extent, impersonal work whose competence rises above academic qualifications to issues such as personality and dedication. A connection on an interpersonal level is necessary to be entrusted with sensitive social work dockets hence the need to always keep forming intra-professional networks.
Interviewee ’s Affiliated Department
Whereas Madden holds several other positions, this interview is predicated on his being the Program Manager and College Liaison for York Early College Academy (YECA). YECA is a program specifically designed to assist high school graduates who would otherwise not have a fair chance of getting a higher education. The program is based on the fact that although education opportunities in America are based on standardized tests, equal opportunities are not available to all due to the living and studying environments for some students. To improve the chances of traditionally disadvantaged students, YECA selects students from Grade 6 to 12 and provides additional academic and social support for them in order to increase their chances of joining college and other tertiary level institutions. The primary qualifications for YECA include being academically astute and willing to work hard for excellence. A minimum grade is necessary to gain entry into YECA, and even after admission, the opportunity can be lost if the student’s scores fall below the minimum levels. YECA is not an alternative form of secondary education but rather a supplementary one that takes place during the normal breaks within the ordinary education calendar.
Conclusion
My interview with YECA’s Reginald Madden has provided great insights that will be useful to me in my post-MSW plans and professional pursuits. It is my intention to work with young people more so in areas that improve their futures. Based on the interview as outlined above, there is a lot that can be done through social work to improve the lives of young people. However, to succeed in my social work efforts, I will need to work hard academically, find a worthy mentor and create networks within the profession. Social work generally and more specifically among the youth may be hard, but it is worth the effort.
