Alumni
By Brandon Thomas (BASW ’20, MSW ’21)
When I think of who has influenced me and guided me on my life journey thus far, there are many people I could thank, including family, friends, and classmates. But there are some truly exceptional individuals from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work community that deserve special recognition: Keith Caldwell, Jessalynn Oliver, Misha Zorich, Dean Betsy Farmer, Holly Hickling, Catherine Geeno, Brianna Lombardi, and Mary Elizabeth Rautkis. Each one of these people taught, encouraged, and supported me in numerous ways.
I met Caldwell, who is now the executive director of place-based initiatives in Pitt’s Office of Engagement and Community Affairs, during my undergraduate studies when I needed a positive male role model. Initially, our conversations centered around what classes to take and when. Later, our conversations were about goals and what I wanted to do with my degree. Then I allowed myself to share my past and present struggles with him. Like many students, I had many different challenges in school, but Caldwell always provided support, wisdom, and encouragement. He didn’t always offer advice; it was more about allowing me to talk things out and come up with solutions. Through Caldwell, I could look deep inside myself for encouragement; motivation; and, most importantly, confidence.
I describe Oliver as my cheerleader; she always greeted me with a huge smile. She encouraged me by continuously checking in on how I was and introducing me to everyone who came into her office. She was the person who pushed me to go into the MSW Program, saying, “So you’re going on to get your master’s, right?” like it was the most natural next step in the world for me.
As I was trying to develop a research/training project while a student, I got amazing guidance from Zorich, whose confidence and influence motivated me to be more sure of myself. She challenged me in many ways. She always wanted to know what I was thinking and why, and she encouraged me to voice my opinions. She taught me that while we are supposed to think carefully before we talk, we can also speak up. With the newfound confidence that she helped to instill in me, I applied for and was accepted to the Edith M. Baker Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Fellowship, which helped me to secure my present job of counseling emergency medical personnel about opioid abuse across a territory that spans the state and covers parts of Ohio and Virginia.
Greeno and Farmer both made it possible for me to finish my undergraduate studies and move into the MSW program, pointing me toward financial support resources when I was unsure if I would be able to afford to complete my final term. They also taught me that it was okay to ask for help and that I should not feel embarrassed. Although I thought other people could benefit more from financial support, they told me I was worthy and that they believed in me. Something I learned from that experience that I bring to my patients in my current practice is that there are two parts to help: asking and accepting. Many of us can get over the hurdle of asking, but the real challenge is accepting the help offered and understanding that you are worthy of it.
So many others played a role in my success in the MSW program. Lombardi, who has since left Pitt, and Rauktis helped me with my scholastic efforts, and I want to thank them for their tireless efforts in helping me to become a researcher and presenter.
Hickling, who then was the head of the Honors College Research Fellowship, which I was honored to receive, kept in touch with me and encouraged me even after the fellowship ended. Her guidance led me to become a staff member of the University of Pittsburgh’s Program Evaluation and Research Unit program, training first responders on the opioid public health crisis.
All these beautiful individuals have taught me many life lessons that I have taken with me out into the field and pass on to the populations I serve. There are three lessons that really stick out to me:
- Look deep within yourself for the confidence, encouragement, and strength to push forward.
- Things may not always happen the way you want them to; they happen the way they are supposed to, and with patience and calmness, you may realize that your situation turned out better than you could have imagined. We as humans look for the instant gratification but should learn to seek the long-term satisfaction.
- Never give up! I can remember after leaving these mentors’ offices, I was almost always smiling and always felt better. I knew I could keep going.