Master of Social Work

Shawanda's Career Journey

Shawanda graduated in May 2019 and currently works at AmeriHealth Caritas as a Care Manager II, where she supports dual-enrolled Medicare and Medicaid members by helping to close care gaps and providing resources, support, and advocacy in a fully remote position. Her typical day includes checking emails, attending virtual meetings, speaking with members over the phone, and coordinating with DME companies and primary care providers to ensure appropriate care. Her MSW education prepared her for this role through coursework on end-of-life care, aging and older adult populations, and the importance of dignity, autonomy, and ethics in care. While no single class specifically influenced her career direction, she has continued working with the same population since completing her undergraduate degree. To manage stress, she maintains clear boundaries between work and personal life despite working from home, and she engages in self-care activities such as reading for leisure, traveling, maintaining a daily skincare routine, and prioritizing meals before starting her workday. She encourages current students by reminding them that they are exactly where they are meant to be and that completing the program is worth it, while also emphasizing the importance of building connections with professors and classmates who will become future colleagues in the field. Reflecting on her experience, she wishes she had taken the LSW exam immediately after graduating rather than waiting, and she values the relationships she built with classmates during the program, which have continued even after graduation.