Elizabeth Beckerle (M.S.W. 2019 candidate)
Saint Louis University School of Social Work student Elizabeth Beckerle (M.S.W. 2019 candidate) was awarded the 2019 Distinguished Student Award from the Social Work Leaders in Health Care of Metro St. Louis. As she anticipates graduation, the St. Louis native reflects on what she enjoyed most about the Saint Louis University School of Social Work, her career goals, and what she thinks will be a crucial topic within social work over the next decade.
Why did you pursue a degree from SLU?
My journey with SLU began when I took a couple of 1818 courses in high school. My mom works at SLU, my sister graduated from SLU, and my younger brother currently attends SLU. When I received a graduate assistantship with Dr. Marla Berg-Weger at SLU for my master's in social work, it just seemed like a perfect fit. I’ve always been a SLU kid at heart, and I value the Jesuit mission of the school.
Which social work course(s) at SLU have you enjoyed most so far, and why?
I have enjoyed my human behavior classes, and social work with individuals, families and groups. In general, I have liked courses that stimulate my interests and ones with professors who make the class enjoyable and interactive.
What do you like most about SLU's M.S.W. program?
I have grown close to my classmates as well as my professors. I appreciate how much the professors truly care and how knowledgeable they are about the subject matter. It also helps that every professor I have had has thoroughly enjoyed teaching, which I believe makes a huge difference. I also like how I have also gained a lot of field experience through the program; I am not just sitting in a classroom all the time.
What are your career goals after graduation?
I am interested in working as a geriatric social worker. I have completed my practica experiences at Memory Care Home Solutions and Dolan Memory Care Homes.
Additionally, as a graduate assistant for Dr. Berg-Weger, I have worked at the student-run health clinics at the Health Resource Center, including the geriatric assessment, well woman, and heart-healthy clinics. I also taught Learning with Memory Loss classes at the Alzheimer’s Association for individuals who were recently diagnosed with dementia and their loved ones.
Through these experiences and from working with older adults during my undergrad as well, I’ve realized that direct practice is something I hope to do in my social work career, and more particularly with older adults.
Where have you interned and worked?
I completed my practica at Memory Care Home Solutions and Dolan Memory Care Homes. I currently work as a program aide at Serenity Adult Day Center. I complete activities with elderly adults with dementia, including music therapy and art therapy, and help alleviate any stressful situations that arise.
What do you think will be a crucial topic or issue regarding social work over the next 10 years?
Most definitely gerontology. The aging population is growing, and it is considered the fastest growing population in the world. As the baby boomers are entering into their old age, it is said that the older population is expected to nearly double by the year 2050. “The aging tsunami” is just beginning, and the need for social workers working with older adults will rise.
With aging comes many concerns, including health, financial and emotional needs. Social workers will need to learn effective tools to help older adults live healthily, guide them in living out their last years to the best of their abilities, help them navigate systems such as affording long term care for a loved one, help them combat loneliness and social isolation, and much more.