December 8, 2025
While professionals at any stage of their careers have valuable advice to offer, current students can benefit greatly by hearing from alumni early in their careers, who are navigating a similar educational landscape and job market.
We caught up with a few recent graduates of the University of Washington Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare (BASW) program and asked them to share insights about their current professional roles, the realities of sustaining personal well-being in the field, navigating the BASW program and preparing for the job market.
Christopher Leyva Vera, BASW Class of 2020
What have you been doing since you graduated from the BASW program?
I am currently working at Harborview Medical Center as a clinical social worker. I originally applied for another position at the hospital, but due to my fluency in Spanish, I was offered an interview at the MAX clinic and I ended up taking a job here during my final MPH quarter in October 2022..
What are some ideas, skills or values you learned in your BASW degree that have been valuable in your professional work?
The collaborative aspect of the job builds on the skills and projects I experienced in the BASW program. Although you may carry your own caseload, you end up collaborating with others in the social work field, and many classmates will also end up in your field. Success in the job market can come down to who you know and who can put in a good word for you.
What has been most fulfilling about your current role? What has been most challenging?
I’ve been able to help families reunite, erase thousands of dollars of medical debt and help patients avoid evictions. My job is to be a problem solver when people are experiencing so much stress they can’t even get through basic tasks, so it always feels great to be able to take that stress off their shoulders. And as more cuts happen to grants and programs around us begin to close, we notice that our patients are also heavily affected. Shelters closing down referrals, housing vouchers taking years to be approved, etc. The lack of resources is the most challenging and one of the most frustrating parts of this work.
In what ways have you incorporated self-care practices to take care of your own wellness while engaged in this work?
I’ve been fortunate that my work is unionized, and thus I get to clock out at 4:30PM every day and not have to go home and do more work. I know this isn’t the reality for many in our field, but it allows me to have a hard stop where I am able to take a step back and know that I can just get back to it the next day. I’ve picked up different hobbies like fencing and tennis, and just constantly being around my own community and trying to do good is what continues to feed me energy that I can use to continue doing this work.
Miranda Sullivan, BASW Class of 2020 
What have you been doing since you graduated from the BASW program?
I went straight into my MSW in 2021 through the Community-Centered Integrative Practice specialization in the Advanced Standing Program, and I currently work as a licensed independent clinical social worker in private practice, where I support folks who experience PTSD, ADHD, borderline personality disorder and other challenges. Community work definitely has my heart, and I plan to return to it, but I experienced burnout and needed to step away from such demanding roles to heal and take care of my three kiddos.
What has been most fulfilling about your current role? What has been most challenging?
The most fulfilling part of my current role is watching people who are in very low places grow, learn to love themselves, build stable and safe relationships, and heal. I get to be creative and tailor each intervention to the individual. Seeing someone progress when they once believed they would never get better is incredible.
How have you incorporated self-care to care for your own wellness while doing this work?
I reached a serious level of burnout last year. I was working long hours with children who had extensive trauma and behavioral challenges in a system that was extremely oppressive to my population. I had to choose to step back, prioritize myself and lean into self-care. For me that looks like working a four-day week, exercising, connecting regularly with my support system, journaling, going to therapy myself and spending time outside.
How did you decide that a BASW was right for you?
I’m a multiracial Black woman and mother. I was a nontraditional student—a high school dropout who received my GED and had two children by age 24. I come from a low-socioeconomic background and I’m a first-generation college student. I carry extensive historical and generational trauma and have watched it perpetuate in my community. Many people with my background never make it into higher education and I wanted to create change.
Do you have any advice for students about navigating the social work job market?
Know your worth—both financially and professionally. Look for roles that offer free clinical supervision. There is a mindset in this field that helping people means we shouldn’t care about money, but in reality, we deserve fair pay for our expertise, and we deserve to be able to live.
Adely Ruiz, BASW Class of 2020
What have you been doing since you graduated from the BASW program?
I graduated in 2020, and I recently moved back home and settled down with my partner. I currently work at the Washington State Bar Association as a clinician and outreach lead. I chose this position as I felt it was necessary to help legal professionals who experience significant levels of trauma, substance use and mental health adversities. I also have a small private practice on the side where I get to work with adults of different backgrounds and experiences.
What are some ideas, skills, or values you learned in your BASW degree that have been valuable in your professional work?
The BASW program truly taught me how to connect with others on an interpersonal level and has allowed me to navigate these interactions with confidence and compassion. I have also recently become a licensed independent clinical social worker, which has opened up the possibility of serving in more leadership roles.
Jae Kim, BASW Class of 2018
What have you been doing since you graduated from the BASW program?
After graduating, I completed the Advanced Standing MSW Program. I am currently at a non-profit organization that supports individuals with disabilities, where I’ve worked since my BASW internship. Over time, I took on new responsibilities, and I now serve as the program manager where I oversee our team and ensure that services are delivered effectively, ethically and in line with best practices.
What has been most fulfilling about your current role? What has been most challenging?
The opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of people with disabilities is the most rewarding—I get to see clients gain confidence, access needed resources and achieve their goals. But limited funding and resources sometimes create barriers, which means I need to constantly advocate for our clients and think creatively to fill gaps. Balancing these demands with administrative duties requires careful prioritization and resilience.
In what ways have you incorporated self-care practices to take care of your own wellness while engaged in this work?
I prioritize setting clear boundaries between work and personal life to ensure I have time to recharge, and I make a point to take regular breaks during the workday and step away from screens to reduce stress. I rely on a supportive network of colleagues, friends and family to share experiences and gain perspective. These connections remind me that I am not alone in this work and provide encouragement during tough times.
Do you have advice about successfully navigating the BASW program?
Creating a routine that works for you and setting boundaries can really help you avoid burnout. Connect with your classmates and professors. Social work is about relationships, and the support system you build in the program can help you both personally and professionally. This work can be emotional and heavy at times so practicing self-care is not optional. It is necessary. Whether that means taking breaks, talking to someone you trust or doing something that brings you joy, make sure you are filling your own cup.
Do you have any advice for students about navigating the social work job market?
My advice for students entering the social work job market is to be prepared for it to take time and effort. Social work is not always well compensated, especially at the beginning. Look for positions that offer good supervision and support, even if the salary is not ideal. A healthy work environment matters for your growth and well-being. Use your practicum to build connections. Sometimes that turns into a job, or at least a reference. Do not be afraid to reach out to people; networking is a big part of how people find work in this field.
Silver Lee, BASW Class of 2019
What have you been doing since you graduated from the BASW program?
I have worked in BIPOC mental health circles to support community members, in affordable housing in the city of Seattle, and mostly in nonprofit organizations that are BIPOC-led and -serving. In my volunteer work, I have been attending and supporting a local BIPOC soccer nonprofit that serves youth.
I am currently working at an organization called Communities Rise as a capacity-building program manager where I work with nonprofits in capacity skill building with HR, strategic planning, etc.
In what ways did your senior year practicum affect your career choices?
I had the opportunity to work deeply with a BIPOC senior in my senior practicum. This interaction made me think more intentionally about working in a BIPOC-led and -serving community
Do you have advice about successfully navigating the BASW program and looking for work in this field?
Share notes with each other, make time for shared relationship-building and continue it after you graduate. Share your resumes with each other and keep in touch with so that you hear about prospective jobs and internships. In the job market, it’s important for students to be okay with asking questions about an organization’s financial health, expected workload and expectations, what supervision looks like, and salary increase history.