Rachel Johnson, student mental health social worker

Rachel Johnson's career was going swimmingly. In the two decades since graduating from University of Leeds, she had worked her way up through various early careers and student research organisations, such as Milkround, Not Going to Uni, UCAS and Cibyl at Group GTI, an independent market research agency specialising in student research projects across the UK and Ireland. She was a business director, owned her own flat and when holidays came around, Rachel was ticking off a bucket list of places to see. Rachel was continuing with the running she had taken up during the pandemic and quietly, in her spare time, she volunteered at Samaritans, the charity that offers 24/7 listening support to people struggling to cope.

Then in 2024, Rachel handed in her notice to take up a place as a trainee mental health social worker. And while that might have been a mic-drop moment for people she worked with, it was something Rachel had been considering for some time.

In this episode Rachel explains:

• why she took such a momentous decision

• what it's been like to return to tutorials 20 years after graduating from the University of Leeds

• how it has been to re-learn essay writing

• the reflective practices in place that help social workers cope with case work

• how she feels about going on placements at the front line as a trainee mental health social worker.

Rachel offers advice for anyone considering treading the same path as her to become a social worker, whether they are fresh out of university or, like her, making a career change. She also talks about what happens next, after summer 2025, when she receives her postgraduate diploma and masters degree.

Mentioned in this podcast

Links

Think Ahead

Cibyl, Group GTI

Samaritans

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About ProGRESS:

Talking about pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.

Instagram: @ProGRESS

Original content © Sandra Kessell

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@my-progress.co.uk

Expect revelations, lightbulb moments and an informative listen on ProGRESS, with plenty of insights as guests explain how and why got into their Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible career or course (the GRESS of ProGRESS) with plenty of tips if you want to do the same.

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