Helping Field Summary

Lynda McCarthy, Charline Meeks, Debbie Warnke, Marcial Wiggins

BSH/305: Historical Development of Human Services: An Introduction

August 31, 2014

Mary Newhams

Why Professionals Choose the Helping Field
Written by Debbie Warnke

I believe the reason professionals choose the helping field is because of a sense of accomplishment and the idea of being able to make a difference. Many human service professionals refer to this type of work as a “calling” and having the ability to show an individual or family how to become self-sufficient is a satisfaction that only someone in the helping field can describe.

Why Choose the Helping Field

Many of the individuals in the helping field are known as “idealists.” They have what is known as a NF (iNtuitive /Feeling) temperament. This temperament gives an individual a sense of purpose and they are known to be more creative, more empathetic, and have a tendency to focus on feelings more than facts. An individual with the NF temperament are often impatient with the business world, policies, and procedures, and are more likely to focus ultimately on the bottom line ( Myers, et al.,1998).

Other reasons professionals chose to enter the helping field is because they know someone with a mental illness or addiction, they have other family members that are in the same/similar field, they like to help people that are in high risk situations such as substance abuse, homelessness, child neglect/abuse, and many other situations. The one thing I do know is that people who enter the helping field must possess certain qualities and characteristics.

I feel the most important of these qualities is empathy. The professional must be able to put themselves in the clients’ shoes and feel what they are feeling. There are a lot of other characteristics that are important as well, for example - verbal and non verbal communication skills, listening skills, compassion, patience, persistence, maturity, the need/want to change social issues, dependability, flexibility, and resilience.

Positions in the Helping Field

Another great reason to work in the helping field is the variety of positions you can choose from and they all relate to helping others. A few examples of these positions are homeless shelters, substance abuse programs, mental health agencies, children and family organizations, and correctional facilities. Regardless of what position you decide on, if you decide to take a job in the helping field, know that there will be personal rewards and challenges throughout your career.

In conclusion, to work in the helping field, what a person needs most is the passion and desire to care and make a difference for people and the love for one’s work.

How We Chose to Work In This Field

Written by all team members

Lynda McCarthy

I decided to enter the human services field in a roundabout way. I began my education in information technology. I got my associates degree in visual communications and when I began my bachelor's degree program in software engineering, I changed schools to focus on video game design instead, as that is what I really wanted to study.

Unfortunately, I was struggling with my programming class and the instructor noticed a problem a couple weeks into class. After some researching and discussions with my advisors, it was decided that I had been struggling because I have a math-based learning disability that caused me to not understand and grasp the concepts of even basic programming. I have struggled with math for my entire school career, but I was never diagnosed with anything until I was a junior in college.

I dropped out at that point. I did not know what to do with myself. For almost the entirety of my relationship with my husband, he often mentioned how I am willing to go the extra mile to help others and how easily I can empathize with those who come to me for help, even if I have never been in that situation myself. When I left school, he suggested that I go into the human services field for these reasons. I wasn't sure about it though. Others also suggested it to me, including people that I know who are in the field. The more I listened to other's reasons why I should pursue this field and doing some soul searching, the more it made sense.

I do love helping others. I do everything I can to make sure people are helped. I do have an uncanny knack of empathizing with others, even in situations that I personally have not experienced. Going into this field means that I can help a larger quantity of people and have better access to information that can help those in need. I also cannot stand the thought of a child getting abused; Reading and seeing news reports of children getting abused by the adults that are supposed to be protecting them upsets me greatly and turns my stomach. I would like to see or even help make changes to the current system that would further benefit children in those situations.

Charline Meeks

I have been working in the mental health field for over 12 years and for 2 years have had the great pleasure of treating co-occurring disorders (MH/SA). I do have a nephew that has Aspergers Syndrome (high form of autism) as well as several family members that are active addicts, recovering addicts, and unfortunately I have lost one to addiction; In addition to a few family members with various mental health disorders.

These individuals are motivation everyday to help others. I chose this field because I truly have a passion for people that are often overlooked, mistreated and underestimated. One of my biggest strengths that I possess is confidentiality. That is extremely important when clients are divulging some of the most traumatic experience in their lives.

Also being an active listener is another quality I am constantly perfecting. I believe therapy is a great form of intervention that can help any individual combat their trauma. Perhaps working in an unpredictable setting also is exciting for me. You never know what the day may bring. Crisis will occur at some point; thus far I have always been able to stay calm. I am an unbiased, analytical, and caring individual. Being able to see people at their worst and get better (client specific) is the most rewarding experience about being a human service professional.

Debbie Warnke

I chose to enter the helping field because I am a recovering drug addict with 8 years clean and have been through a lot of situations in my life where I feel that I am now able to help others to help themselves.

I am specializing in the addictions program but I also have a son with mental illnesses so that is very important to me as well. I think there are changes that can and should be made and I think there are a lot of people in the helping field that possibly should not be doing it anymore because they have lost insight to what matters.

I believe the client should be # 1 and the care the client receives should be based on the client not on the general needs of those in the community. I could give a lot of reasons as to why I chose to enter the helping field but overall, I am non-judgmental, I am a good listener, I care about others, and I believe that change is possible.

Marcial Wiggins

I worked at a bank for many years and I have seen no advancement in my department so I decided to return back to school. Once I was let go I still continued my education. So in June 2014 I received my associate’s degree in business. I dreamed that 'God" called me into another ministry in my life and that was to help individual in need as a drug counselor. I gave it some deep thoughts after my mother died from a drug over dose 10 years ago. I decided that I needed to pursue my education and become a drug counselor to do my part helping others in need in my community and in my home church. We are all called to do something great but you need to know your calling. I feel by pursuing in this career I’m giving others hope especially in my church as I live in a low poverty environment. I come from a caring, religious and compassionate family who loves to share and help others. I also understand that human service value of confidentiality is a very important role in this professional career I’m about to embark in. After reading about my profession it’s evident that I must continue my education and receive my masters as well. I understand I have a long road ahead of me but with faith and prayer I can achieve anything GOD has in stored for me. I know with the knowledge that I will obtain within the next two years will help me to save someone’s life as well as comfort their lonely heart. I don't want to get religious but you reap what you sow. An example if you put in time to gain the knowledge and apply what you have learned by sharing it with others then they gain the benefits. These benefits that you have instilled in these patients will help them to lead a productive, safe and long lasting life. I know all my works in the long run will be rewarded with blessings from our higher power. After starting this course I have learned so much that will prepare me for the future in this business.

References-

Myers, I.B., McCauley, M.H., & Quenk, N.L. (1998). MBTI Manual: A Guide to the Development and Use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (3rd ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.