Serving others can be second nature--and lead to a career as a Social Worker

That's Alex Hartline

Alex Hartline spent his 6th birthday in Kingston, West Virginia. We were on our first service trip with the Passionist Volunteers. Alex had a good time, although this picture says otherwise. He and Emily had just finished painting a water tank  for a blind man, and after the job was completed someone thought it was a good idea to use the silver paint to stylize their hands.  (The man did not yell at them.)

I put him in the back of the car and said, "Don't move." Happy Birthday, Alex.

Alex spent every summer after that doing service in West Virginia until he was 20. Needless to say, helping others was a huge part of his life.

He was also exposed to service at the local level. His grandmother, Sylvia Kane, often brought him and Emily to help her volunteer at Rainbow Home, a Berks County Hospice for people with AIDS.  I took him along to The Kennedy House Soup Kitchen when I went with groups from school or church. Opportunities like these, along with his basic compassionate nature, shaped a foundation for a progressive social justice ideal for the rest of his life.

Alex, Central Catholic grad of 2009 (58 students!), chose Franklin and Marshall as his place of higher learning. Why F&M? He knew he wanted a liberal arts college with a nice physical space, and F&M satisfied that desire. 

At F&M, students do not declare a major until the end of their sophomore year, giving them the opportunity to explore a wide variety of topics. While he didn't have to declare, Alex already knew in high school that he wanted to pursue social work. Since F&M didn't have a Social Work major, he chose Sociology, which exposed him to courses like Social Welfare Policy, Political Sociology, and one of his favorites, Women & Gender in War. 

These social issues led to his interest in other on-campus opportunities that helped shape his post-graduate plans. One organization called "1 in 4"  brought an awareness to Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness. He was the president his senior year. This led to a role as Co-Chair of the Women's Center as a representative for "1 in 4." 

College clubs and jobs are important. It was one of Alex's professors that recommended him to be a Tutor for The Writing Center. It was there that he learned skills pertinent to his present job: working one on-one with students, understanding individual needs, and taking notes on each student he tutored.

Alex emphasizes the importance of internships during college. Before his senior year he interned at a Foster Care Agency in Delaware, giving him exposure to yet another field of social work.

While Alex's classes and clubs at F&M were his first stage of his social field education, it was most definitely moving to New York (Queens) and working in the Bronx that began his second stage. What was missing at F&M was a discussion about race, and his new environment provided that.

His first position was with a large social services agency.  He was a Vocational Specialist where he helped support adults with mental illnesses in their vocational goals. The sense of community was important---the community of the participants and the community in which he worked to try to create connections for the adults with whom he interacted.

After 3 years, Alex was offered a different position with the same organization.  He is a Supported Employment Educational Specialist, as he aids young adults experiencing their first episode psychosis. Alex is their advocate at their schools and  jobs, helping them get in and stay in either school or work--goal-oriented therapy. He talks to school administrators or employment managers or hospital officials. He runs groups for his participants to share ideas and offer support.

This job's office is located in Mid-town Manhattan, and Alex spends about 60% of his work time out on the streets meeting participants in their schools or work places. He helps them understand their importance in the world and their need for engagement in society.  The day I was there he was taking a young man to sign up at a local Rec Center ---and they played a little game of one-on-one! He takes participants to get clothes for interviews, and although I am not there, I know (because I know Alex) that he makes them feel happy, engaged, and important, because that's what Alex does.

He's out on the street or in the subway getting the job done.

Alex's sees the rewards of his career when participants get jobs, develop meaningful relationships, and just live. The challenges come from those who "roll with resistance"--when they don't want to work with the program. This is where Alex's traits of patience, compassion, and and the ability to inspire hope come into play.

As a Social Worker, one is able to gain job positions with advanced degrees, so Alex is currently enrolled at Hunter College, taking 3 classes each semester. After two years he will earn his MSW (Masters in Social Work) and he will then become licensed (LMSW). The ultimate goal is to obtain the LCMSW, where the clinical component is added.

WHAT ARE OTHER JOBS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS? There are child, family and school social workers, medical social workers, military social workers, researchers, planners, and policy makers. They ALL are about making life easier for people as they offer support in so many ways, giving people guidance and hope.

WHAT ABOUT LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY? Alex said you need to be honest with yourself. Who are you? What are your beliefs, values, gender ideals? Be honest with people you work with, and be conscious of the community you are moving into and respect that.

AND, according to Alex,

"It's all about the dollar pizza! Muah!"