Career Insights: Social Work

Career Insights is a speaker and panel series that introduces Barnard students to professionals from a broad range of fields. Guest speakers, most often Barnard alumnae, will hold informal chats or participate in panel presentations based on their industry.

In this edition of Career Insights, you'll hear from alumnae who have careers in Social Work to understand their career trajectories and decision-making. If you're interested in gaining more insight in these industries or looking to explore various career paths, we invite you to join us! Confirmed Panelists: Elaine Gottesman '14 - Geriatric Social Worker, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center Elia Johnson '10 - Director of Social Work, Appellate Advocates Vikki Campos '11 - College Access Manager, Henry Street Settlement Panelists' Bios: Elaine Gottesman BC '14 is a geriatric social worker, currently working at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center on the Vulnerable Elder Protection Team serving vulnerable older adult patients. She graduated with an MSW from New York University Silver School of Social Work in 2018. At Barnard, Elaine majored in history and was active at the Columbia University Hillel, Barnard College's student government, CU's radio station, and BC's bartending agency. She loved being a student. She is married to a local New Yorker and gets to play every night with her happy 1-year-old baby. Elia Johnson holds a B.A. in Psychology from Barnard College and a Master of Science in Social Work with a concentration in public policy and a minor in law from Columbia University. She is currently the Director of Social Work at Appellate Advocates integrating social work into post-conviction representation in the direct appeal process and special practice areas. Previously, she built and managed the Client Services Program at the Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD). Creating a social work and reentry program to assist clients returning home from incarceration. Prior to joining OAD, Elia worked at Brooklyn Defender Services in the Adolescent Practice working with young people charged with felonies in Brooklyn. Additional prior experience includes interning in family court and in the Human Trafficking Court in Queens. Elia also worked as a Project Associate at the Correctional Association of New York and as a research assistant at the New York State Psychiatric Center and Center for Court Innovation. Vikki Campos thought they would be an immigration lawyer at 17 years old when they applied to Barnard and planned on majoring on Political Science but Barnard opened their eyes to different majors. Vikki ended up choosing Economics based on their love of mathematics. Based on Vikki's desire to help people, they took classes like Economics of Education, Inequality and Poverty, Economics of Gender, Race Law and Economics. During the summer before their senior year, they volunteered as a College Advisor for Let's Get Ready and fell in love with the field. They volunteered in college admissions counseling before changing their career to it in 2015. They have done college admissions counseling for first generation low income high school seniors in both New York City and Los Angeles. After many years in the profession, Vikki realized their students needed more socioemotional support and decided to get their Masters of Social Work at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Vikki is currently doing college access and success work to help FGLI students transition more smoothly to college and hopes to work with college students in the future.  

Register on Handshake. 

Opportunities for Pre-Optometry Students at SUNY Optometry

Eye-CARE Camp - Over the course of a three-day summer camp, Eye-CARE prepares prospective applicants for the rigors of the optometry school application process and health professions programs broadly. Eye-CARE simultaneously exposes participants to the dynamic future of the profession. A selective group of eligible participants will be sponsored to complete a FREE Kaplan "Live Online" OAT prep course proceeding the 3-day camp! Eligibility and further details can be found on our website here. We appreciate the support from VSP and Kaplan, Inc.

• Camp Dates: 6/27/2022 - 6/29/2022 (times TBD)
• Kaplan Live Online Dates: Beginning July 1st, 2022
• Register/Apply Here
• Deadline to apply: 4/22/2022

CSTEP Internship and Summer Academic Programs - For eligible NYS residents, SUNY Optometry's CSTEP Internship and Summer Academic programs are great opportunities for pre-health students to get hands on experience and explore one potential health profession, while getting professional development opportunities as well through our workshops and activities. The link below includes more information about each program (eligible candidates may apply to participate in both programs simultaneously).

• Dates: 6/13/2022 - 6/24/2022
  
• Apply Here
  
• Deadline to apply: TBD
  

Questions? Email the SUNY Downstate team at admissions@sunyopt.edu.

Weill Cornell Medicine Feil Family BMRI Neuroscience Summer Diversity Scholars Program

The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute (BMRI) at Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) is pleased to announce the return of the BMRI Summer Diversity Scholar. The BMRI Summer Scholar offers promising young scientists residing in the New York City area a 10-week long paid internship at a world-renowned research facility with leaders in neurodegeneration research. Individuals will receive one-on-one training with a researcher in one of the BMRI/Neuroscience Graduate Program laboratories, develop a research idea and plan, learn scientific methods, and produce their own data. They will also be included in workshops and seminars sponsored by WCM’s Office of Diversity. At the end of the internship, BMRI diversity scholars will present their findings in a research seminar. This year the summer program is planned to be held in-person. Applicants will be notified via email should any changes need to be made due to health and safety concerns relating to COVID-19.

Requirements:

• Applicants should be currently pursuing a college-level degree. A science-related major (e.g., biology, chemistry, math, engineering, etc.) is not required; non-science majors should discuss their science-related interests in their personal statement.

• Commitment to a 10-week long, summer internship in one of the BMRI labs. (https://brainandmind.weill.cornell.edu/faculty-research-0).

• Identify as coming from an underrepresented background (Underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and/or individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, as defined by NIH guidelines: https://extramural-diversity.nih.gov/diversity-matters/get-the-facts).

• Strong motivation to pursue a doctoral degree and/or career in scientific research or a science-related field.

Application materials:

• Personal statement (1000 words maximum) describing the applicant’s interest in science. We encourage applicants to include:

    o Description of future academic and career goals and how this program may aid them.

    o Previous research experience(s) and what they gained from those experiences. If the applicant has not yet had research experience, we ask that the applicant describe skills they believe will help them in this experience.

    o Which BMRI research labs are of interest to them.

    o What they hope to obtain through this program.

    o How COVID-19 has impacted their academic/career goals.

• Current CV or resume.

• 2 letters of reference from a professor or mentor that can attest to the individual’s potential and previous accomplishments.

Compensation: Scholars are expected to work full-time and will be paid a $5000 stipend.

Program duration: June 6, 2022 through August 12, 2022

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, April 8, 2022

• Completed applications should be submitted at https://weillcornell.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_80RRRaNP7vSZP5I.

• Letters of reference should be submitted separately to WCMNeuroScholar@gmail.com.

See the FAQ for more information: https://brainandmind.weill.cornell.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/bmri-summer-scholars-program. Contact WCMNeuroScholar@gmail.com for questions.

Diversity is one of Weill Cornell Medicine’s core values and is essential to achieving excellence in patient care, research, and education. We welcome applicants who share our commitment to fostering a culture of fairness, equity, and belonging. Weill Cornell Medicine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information.

Job Opportunity: Clinical Assistant, Hudson Heights Pediatrics

Pediatric practice in upper Manhattan seeks graduating senior or recent graduate for full-time position starting in the Spring of 2022. Opportunity to start part-time before graduation. A fitting training ground for those interested in medicine, health care, or small business management. Hudson Heights Pediatrics is looking for someone interested in both the clinical and managerial aspects of medicine.

Our ideal candidate has:
● interest in the field of healthcare
● effective communication skills and is comfortable interacting both in-person and over the phone
● the desire to take initiative
● comfort multitasking, prioritizing, and dealing with several pressing matters at once
● sensitivity to the needs of patients, visitors and coworkers
● excellent organizational skills
● strong teamwork skills
● experience working with children

Responsibilities include:
● serving as clinical and administrative staff, including taking patient vitals, assisting with vaccines and bloodwork, performing point-of-care tests and other tasks to be assigned
● conducting intake and checkout and other reception duties
● discussing clinical cases with patients over the phone
● helping to manage the practice and doctor’s schedules
● reviewing and helping to implement and monitor Quality Incentive Programs
● assisting with billing and claim submission and follow up with insurance companies

This is a full-time position starting in spring 2022 and requiring 35-40 hours per week, including one
Sunday per month. Spanish language skills are a plus. We work with an amazing team of doctors led by
Dr. Joseph Richter who has been affiliated with Columbia Presbyterian Hospital for 22 years and founded the practice in 2009. Hudson Heights Pediatrics has been managed and staffed by Columbia and Barnard graduates since its opening. HHP staff alumni have since completed or are pursuing degrees in medical school, nurse practitioner programs (pediatric, midwifery and family medicine) and masters in public health administration.

Please send your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience and interest to goldman@hudsonheightspediatrics.com. 

AAMC Financial Assistance Resources and Webinars

 

2022 AAMC Fee Assistance Program Webinar Recording

A recording of the AAMC Fee Assistance Program webinar held on Feb. 22 is now available in the Premed Webinars section of our website. This 60-minute webinar covered the 2022 Fee Assistance Program benefits, new eligibility requirements, the application process, and Q&A.

FIRST Webinar - Paying for Medical School (on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET).

Have your students asked any of the following questions?

How much will it cost to apply to medical school, and will I be able to afford it? How do you apply for financial aid? How much financial aid will I be eligible for and what kind of aid is available? What should I ask the medical school’s financial aid office before I start medical school? Will I be able to repay my loans and how long will it take to pay them off? Are there any programs that forgive student loan debt or help me repay my loans?

If so, make sure they register for the Paying for Medical School Webinar on Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. ET so they can get the answer to these questions and many more. Registrants will receive a confirmation email with details on how to access the webinar. Space is limited, so please register by March 14.