Bonus: The Graduate Assistant Experience
Links
YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Description
In this special bonus episode of the Connecting with Care podcast, producer Zach interviews Lillie Walker, a graduate assistant at Baylor University's Garland School of Social Work. Lillie shares her journey from a student-athlete at Duke University to pursuing a Master's in Social Work, highlighting the integration of faith and practice in her education. She discusses the personal growth and skills she has gained through her GA role and emphasizes the importance of building relationships within the academic community. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in social work and the transformative experience of graduate assistantships.
Transcript
SPEAKERS: Zach Winterrowd, Lillie Walker
Lillie Walker
Welcome to the Connecting with Care podcast. I'm Lillie Walker. What does a graduate assistantship add to social work education and how does it shape leadership, confidence and purpose? In this episode, we'll hear from someone who's lived this experience firsthand. Join us as our producer Zach sits down with me to talk about the GA journey.
Zach Winterrowd
Hello listeners. This is Zach - Recruitment and Alumni Services Coordinator at the Garland School of Social Work, Producer of the Connecting with Care podcast. And today, I am stepping out from behind the computer to interview my GA – you know her and you love her – Lillie Walker, is here with us today to talk about the graduate assistant process and experience as a student at the Garland School of Social Work. So, Lillie, we've heard your voice all throughout this season. We've heard a little bit about you sprinkled throughout the season and the various episodes. But I would love for you to formally introduce yourself, your hometown, where you are in the social work program. Give us a little bit more information about you.
Lillie Walker
Yeah, thanks for having me, Zach. Thanks for doing this. Listeners, as you know, my name's Lillie. I'm from a small town in Oklahoma. Originally, I went and got my undergrad at Duke University in psychology, loved it there. I also played softball there, ended up getting an extra year of eligibility and I was like, guys, I need to get my master's degree. I love psychology, but I found that social work kind of saw the person as a more holistic person and I really thought that the 10th Competency that Baylor has of incorporating faith and practice was really important to me, personally. And so, when I had another year of eligibility to play softball, Baylor was a program that I, I really was interested in and ended up getting the opportunity to play with them last year. And so, I'm in my second year of the MSW program. No longer an athlete, just a student finishing my degree. I am on the clinical track and yeah, I think that's it.
Zach Winterrowd
Wow, that's really cool. I love how, certainly not an expert, but I feel like if a student athlete has a year of eligibility, usually they'll choose maybe like a one-year master's program and be able to complete their degree in that year and just be done. But you chose a two-year program knowing that there would be another year after. So, I think that that's really cool. Speaks to the calling and the passion, behind social work. So that's really cool. And we'll get into that, I'm sure. Okay, so you are a residential MSW student. You are here in Waco. I see you on campus. We work together there. What is one word you would use to describe Waco, Texas?
Lillie Walker
Waco, Texas. Honestly, I come from a really small town, so my word is going to be medium town because I come from like, small town Oklahoma. And then here in Waco, if you drive through downtown, you're kind of like, wow, this is actually – there's a lot of like, small businesses. Magnolia is there, which is kind of big business, but also seems small, I don't know. And then it just gives small town vibes in downtown. But it actually is a very big, and actually it's a big city, but I love it. I love the blend of both, because it's what I'm used to. It's just like coming back home, but it's also big. There's a lot of diversity. There are a lot of different places to eat, little fun things to do. So, yeah, it's a small town.
Zach Winterrowd
Yeah, yeah, medium town. Waco truly is the best of every world, I think. I've been around, been around the country, lived different places and you always find yourself coming back here – it's a special place. So, being in Waco and being an ardent coffee lover myself, I want to know what your favorite local coffee tea spot is and your favorite beverage to, to enjoy there.
Lillie Walker
And I know that you're a coffee expert. I, however, I, however, do not have – I've been told I have bad taste in coffee because I want a sweet little funny latte. I don't, I mean, I like the taste of coffee, but I'm more excited by like maybe a churro latte or something fun, not something super, makes me wince whenever I drink it. So, my favorite place to go is probably Common Grounds. And I'll just get whatever little specialty latte that they have.
00:05:00
Zach Winterrowd
Nice. nice. You can't, you can't go wrong with Common Grounds here in Waco. It's a staple. It's a classic. You just gotta have it every once in a while. Absolutely. Okay, so you were a softball player. What was your walk-up song as a, as a batter, you're walking up to the plate. What's the stadium blasting for you, specifically?
Lillie Walker
Well, unfortunately, I did not hit. I was a pitcher only but still got to have a walkout song. Part of it actually plays for a longer amount of time because while you're doing – so my song was “Flatliner” by Cole Swindell. And the reason that I chose that song was because in a lot of situations, especially when I played at Duke, I would come in whenever it was like, yikes, it's like the game is on the line. There are like, runners in scoring position. There's like no outs, and it's looking really scary. I would get called in. And so that song was to be like, okay, we're, we're shutting them down.
Zach Winterrowd
You're closing it out.
Lillie Walker
We're flat lining them. Yes, right now. And so that's why I chose that.
Zach Winterrowd
Cool. I love that. That's awesome. So, you mentioned how you were originally at Duke, you studied psychology. What was it that brought you to Baylor? Of all the places you could have finished your eligibility, all the places you could have gotten your master's degree, what brought you to Baylor? And then I also want to know, going from psychology to social work, what that transition was like and what that decision process was.
Lillie Walker
Yeah, so, what brought me to Baylor, I think looks different than what a lot of people have been saying on other podcasts because softball was a pretty big drawing factor for me. And while I was like, I've always been someone that's like, my education is the most important, softball is kind of like the avenue to get me there. But I, I mean, I went to Duke, and so that's obviously a prestigious university. And so, I didn't want to have a master's that wasn't of the same caliber. So, I was looking at some highly well-known schools, and Baylor popped up. They have a great softball program. And then looking at the Garland School, as I mentioned before, the 10th Competency – the influence of faith and practice, something that was really important to me. And so, in my undergrad at Duke, I gained so much knowledge about psychology and really, really fell in love with it. But there was always something in the back of my head of, like, there's something missing about this. We are only thinking about, very like, brain. We talked a lot about, like, neurology stuff. We talked a lot about, like, scientifically based things. And I'm like, there is this aspect that cannot be quantified, which is your spirituality, your, your faith, your belief system. and that's something that's not really incorporated, I didn't think, or in psychology. And so in talking with professors, and knowing that I wanted to be, work clinically and I wanted to work one on one with people or with groups, they were like, ‘I think social work would actually be something that blends those two’ and yeah, helps, like, sets me up for a career where I'm like, I can meet people in all of the ways that they exist in the world. It's not just your brain anatomy, everything that makes you, you. I will be educated in that and be able to, ultimately, ultimately help people reach the goals that they have.
Zach Winterrowd
Yeah, I think that's, that's wonderful. That's really wonderful. That integrated, holistic approach to health in social work and mental health care is something that is so unique at the Garland School and at Baylor. And so, I love that that's what really led you to this program and that's, that's wonderful. How have you grown personally and professionally during your time here at the Garland School?
Lillie Walker
I have grown, wow, it's honestly crazy. I've only been here for a year and a half, but I feel like I have really grown so, so much in so many different ways. It's kind of even hard to just, like, pinpoint it in this question. But I would say, like, I mean, coming into social work, I didn't know what it was. I didn't know the ins and outs of it. I heard like, those – some of those key differences between social work and psychology. So, I knew, like, the reasons that I was choosing social work, but I did not, if you were to ask me to describe it, I feel like I wouldn't have been able to. So now, obviously, I've been in this program for a year and a half. It would be kind of crazy if I couldn't. So, so now I feel like I've learned exactly what it is. And I think through my education here, I've learned, just a lot of skills that I think will help me in my career. Ultimately, I think I've learned to have more of an open mind. I've learned to be able to critically think about some things. I think social work is inherently political and – so I grew up in a certain environment in Oklahoma. I was educated in a certain environment at Duke. And so, I've kind of lived in a mix of different things. And so, I think social work has given me kind of words and the ability to hear out multiple different perspectives and that's kind of – that's the systems that we operate in. And so being able to, I think I have a, because of my education, have a unique ability to be able to hear multiple different things and think about it and think critically about those things, which I think will help me as I'm working with diverse populations in the future. Professionally, I think the educators at Baylor and the educators in the Garland School of Social Work are like a great blend of both people that have been clinicians, people that have been in research and educators, teachers, and so I think they have just given us such a robust, well rounded way of like, how do I actually go into a room and talk with the patient and how would I research this, how would I think about this, how would I look into this, and blended that in just in such a, such a beautiful way.
00:10:00
Zach Winterrowd
That's remarkable. That's remarkable. So, I know in my own experience – I don't have a social work degree, but I've been in some social work positions, and there are some social workers who are very close to me. I've been around the Garland School for a little while and so I know pretty well that as you are engaging with social work concepts at a professional level, there are ways in which you, there are ways in which it speaks to you personally while you are gaining these professional competencies. And so, I'm curious as to some of the ways in which your time here at the Garland School has shaped the way that you see yourself and the way that you see yourself and your career as a future social worker.
Lillie Walker
I think my education here at the Garland School has just given me a lot more confidence. I think, I mean, I think the social work field and the psychology field and mental health field can be kind of scary to like, dip your toes into because it feels like there's just a lot you don't know. There's a lot that nobody knows. I feel like there are a lot of ways that you can kind of go wrong, in the way that you approach it. And so, I think being educated in the way that I have at the Garland School has given me the confidence of like, I can walk into the emergency department, which is where my internship is currently, and I can see a client and I can do really great work. I can assess them, I can figure out their need, and I have the ability to meet that need and help guide them and walk alongside them, to reach their goals. And so, I think that's something that I definitely could not have, could not have done, probably even last year, just because I have gotten the education in, in the ways that I have had the ability to practice it a lot of times. And then I know without a doubt I can walk into a room and give them some, some very informed care. And so, I don't know, that's just, that's honestly really awesome. Like, that's something that I've wanted to do, you know, that's something that I've always wanted to do. That's kind of my dream. That's my goal, is to be able to help people. And because of the education that I've got, I can do that, like, and I do it really, really well. And so, yeah, I'm just really thankful that being at Baylor and being at the Garland School has given me that confidence to be able to go and do the things that I've always wanted to do.
Zach Winterrowd
Yeah, that's wonderful. And I think one of the things that's really neat about social work education, and particularly at the Garland School, is that you're not just being trained to do these things once you graduate or once you pass your licensure exam. You're doing these things while you are a student in your first year and in your second year in the MSW program. You are, you are in your placements, these internships and these practicum experiences where you are getting that direct experience where you are, where you're learning theories in the classroom and you're learning about systems in the classroom and policies, and then all of a sudden you are face to face with real human beings who are affected by these things, who are living these things in their daily lives, and you're getting to step right into that as a student who is gaining these competencies and these skills and the confidence. That's where I think that's really forged, is in the, the fires of the practicum experience. And so, I love that that's what you identify in yourself as, as an individual and as, as a future social worker. I love that you have found that confidence in yourself because that's so important in this, in this field. I want to pivot now to talk about your experience as a graduate assistant. As my graduate assistant, it's been awesome to work with you, and so I want to know how that's been. What made you want to become a GA? Because you, you know, you didn't do it your first year, so you were playing sports. Now you're in your second year, and you've taken this on. I want to know, kind of, what made you want to be a GA, and what's been meaningful about this experience? You don't have to sugarcoat it for me.
00:15:00
Lillie Walker
No, I don't even need to. I wanted to become a GA because, as you said, I stopped playing sports. And so, I was like, well, I'm going to have all this free time. Whatever shall I do? And I needed to make some money because I'm just a grad student with no real job. So, I think the GA just offered me a flexible way to make money. And I think something that's been meaningful about it for me is that I'm in the Garland School, and so I'm walking with and talking to and seeing other social workers in the hallways and seeing people that have these same values and ethics that I'm learning in the classroom, getting just another opportunity to be able to talk with them and grow with them. And so, I would say not only with the projects and the work that we've done together, it's just like I'm in the building more often. And so, I'm getting to see and build relationships with my professors that I probably wouldn't have done if I was just here for class and leaving. And then with the work that we've done together, I think I've, I feel like, mostly done, work on this podcast, with talking with other students and, building my skills and just like, interviewing and building my skills and, hearing people's stories and being able to kind of amplify some things about that that I've never done before. So that was a great opportunity. And then, also, like, looking into other programs and looking into how can we make the Garland School better? And I think you've given me just a lot of freedom to be able to brainstorm that, like, what – what would be good for our alumni association to have? And so, I think I've really appreciated that you give students, and a GA, the ability to kind of be a part of that and play a role in that. And so, yeah, that's been, really meaningful to me overall.
Zach Winterrowd
That's awesome. Thanks for sharing. That makes me feel good. How has your, so you kind of mentioned it a little bit, how has being a Graduate Assistant enhanced your education as well as your career goals?
Lillie Walker
Yeah, I mean, something unique about me is that I've always played sports and I've done a lot of it. So, I have – guys I haven't held a real job because I've just played sports year-round for most of my life. I've had like, little odd jobs here and there, but nothing where I'm like, showing up, this is an everyday thing, but like, showing up and, and being held accountable to do that work. I've done some of that. But I think a lot of people would argue being an athlete is not the same as showing up to your job, which, yeah, totally, and so, yeah, so I think just like holding this job, for this amount of time and showing up on a consistent schedule, having projects that I work to get done, those have kind of helped me grow professionally as I transition from athlete to being in the workforce of like, what does that actually look like? And so, yeah, that's been helpful for me.
Zach Winterrowd
Awesome. Yeah, I think that's really great. Lillie, I'm curious, I know what you've done with me, in your role as a GA, but I would love if you could share some of the awesome work that you've gotten to do and experiences you've had, as a GA this semester.
00:20:00
Lillie Walker
Yeah. So as a GA, I've kind of touched in multiple different facets, of kind of what makes, the Garland School run. And so, I've done quite a bit in recruitment and so that looks like making calls to prospective students that have indicated that they're interested in the school and just kind of talking through that with them, or leaving voicemails or sending emails. I've also been part of like, strategic thinking of like, what would be good for the alumni of the Garland School, and that, that program? Additionally, I've done this podcast and so I've been able to kind of help with recruitment on that end of like, how are we, how are we educating prospective students, and how are we letting kind of the student's voice be part of that? And so, yeah, I've been, it's been – I've never done something like this. And so, it's been really cool because like, I was someone that was a prospective student once and so thinking about that experience and then kind of putting that into the opportunities that you've given me to be able to do that for the next generation of Baylor social workers. It's been really neat.
Zach Winterrowd
Awesome. You've done great work. I know that you've also done some recruitment events as well, some in person, face to face events, where you've been able to promote The Garland School. And I know from my colleagues that you've done a great job at that as well. So, we're thankful for your work – really glad that we've had you on the team this semester. Lillie, you mentioned that this isn't an everyday thing. You're not clocking in every day because you've got your classes, you've got your internship, you've got your life. What does the weekly rhythm look like, as far as working as a Graduate Assistant while you are here studying at the Garland School?
Lillie Walker
Yeah, so currently I have classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, and then I do my internship on Monday nights. I work in the nights in the emergency room. So, I work till about 2:00 in the morning, Monday and Thursday night. So, 2:00 in the morning, and so my Tuesdays and Thursdays, are my free days. and so thankfully, the GA offers a lot of flexibility. And so, while I've worked till 2:00 in the morning on Monday, I get to sleep in, get my sleep, get my rest, and then come and work a, good portion of the day on Tuesday. And then on Thursday, while I work in the evening, I can do some work from home on Thursdays during the day. And so, yeah, it's been really flexible and easy to work with kind of a really crazy schedule that I've had this semester.
Zach Winterrowd
Awesome. Great. I'm glad that the flexibility that a GA position offers has been really meaningful to you and has been, yeah, allowed you to engage with the school and with yourself as a professional, building skills in a way that meets the needs and constraints and wants that you've had here as a student. Looking back, we've only had you for a semester, but looking back, I guess, imagine you've graduated and you've been a GA for a while. Looking back, what legacy do you hope that you've left for other students, other, other Graduate Assistants?
Lillie Walker
The legacy I hope I've left is that through this podcast, we've heard stories from a ton of different students in a ton of different ways. And I hope that I can play a part in maybe getting the next student to get the information that they need, get the clarity that they need to be able to make the decision to come to the Garland School and be a social worker, and whatever that may look like for them. And so, I hope that I've been able to tell these stories in a way that is beneficial for our listeners and beneficial for prospective students.
Zach Winterrowd
Perfect. That's great. That's great. And I think that's a legacy that you will be leaving. So, thank you so much. To round out this conversation, I would love to know what advice you have, Lillie, that you would give somebody who is considering Baylor, who is considering the Garland School of Social Work, the field of social work generally. And I'm going to add, somebody considering applying to be a Graduate Assistant.
Lillie Walker
I've asked this question so many times and honestly, I haven't really thought of something in particular. I feel like so many people have so many good answers. I think the biggest piece of advice that I can give is to really value the relationships that you're going to build at Baylor University. Your professors, your classmates, your faculty and staff that you may be working with in your GA. They are excellent, they have proven to be excellent people in the field of social work or the various other disciplines that may be in the school. At least from my experience, they want nothing more than the best for you as a person and as a future professional. I think treating each and every one of those, really relationships that you're going to build with your classmates, your professors and the faculty, with, I guess with the respect that it deserves. Don't blow off going to your professor's office hours, don't blow off stopping to talk to someone in the hallway, because those relationships that you're going to build there are going to be some of the most impactful whenever you leave the Garland School, and that's what you're going to remember and the people that you're going to be able to reach out to, in your future career.
00:25:00
Zach Winterrowd
Thank you so much. Lillie. What I would love to know, could you share, with our listeners what's on the horizon for you? What's, what's coming up?
Lillie Walker
Yeah, well, I'll be graduating in May. Guys, I'll be getting married and I'll have to get a job and I'll like, have to start real non-student life. This is going to be crazy. But for my social work career, I don't know yet. I don't know exactly what field I'll be in. I don't know if that'll be medical social work. I don't know if that'll be social work and sports. So, stay tuned. Maybe you'll see me on the next – I don't know.
Zach Winterrowd
That's awesome. Sports social work. I imagine that's kind of a niche little market that not a lot of thought is given to, so I'm excited to hear more about that and see a social worker on the sidelines somewhere. That'd be really cool. Well, thank you so much, Lillie. Thank you so much, listeners, for tuning in. I hope that you've gotten to hear some helpful information, some encouraging stories about the Garland School of Social Work, the MSW program, and working as a Graduate Assistant as a student. We look forward to you joining us next time in the next conversation, but for now, we'll see you later. And Sic ‘Em Bears.
Lillie Walker
I hope my story shows how GA roles deepen both learning and professional identity. That's it for season two of the Connecting with Care podcast. Thank you for joining. We hope you've learned a lot about the student experience at the Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University. Check out season one if you haven't already, and we'll see you next time.
00:28:05