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.
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