From the Director
Take Time to Remember Mentors
By Elizabeth J. Clark, Ph.D., ACSW, MPH
 Recently,
during an interview by an author writing a book about association
executives, I was asked if I had had a mentor during my professional
career. As I thought about my answer, I realized that I had been
fortunate to have more than one person who helped me form my professional
self.
I discovered social work as an undergraduate. I especially loved
the idea of crisis intervention. I wrote paper after paper on
crisis theory, and I couldn't wait to put the theory to work.
The opportunity presented itself when I secured a field placement
in an emergency room of a large urban hospital. That's where I
met my first mentor, my field supervisor, Barbara Conniff.
Barbara was rock solid, almost unflappable, even when she received
impossible referrals such as, "Patient needs a family, a
home and a job." Barbara also was assertive. She taught me
that social work was always on equal footing with the other health
professions, and she taught me that the job of helping others
is never done. I learned that you do as much as you can today,
and start over again tomorrow. That seemed like simple advice
at the time, but in later years I recognized it as an antidote
to burnout.
In graduate school, I met Professor Eleanor Cockerill. She was
nearing retirement, and I believe she recognized that I would
be one final convert to her specialty of oncology social work.
I spent hours in her office, sometimes missing other classes,
just for the opportunity of learning from her vast experience.
I thought she was fascinating, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps.
I managed to get all of my field placements in the same university
hospital. I spent one year in the oncology unit and one year working
with individuals with other life-limiting illnesses. It was difficult
and sometimes disheartening work, and I loved it. As a result
of being mentored by Eleanor Cockerill, oncology has remained
a professional focus throughout my career.
There have been other mentors along the way. One encouraged me
to get an additional graduate degree in public health; another
encouraged me to go on for a doctorate. Still another taught me
how to network professionally and especially how to "work
a room."
Thirty years have passed since my first mentoring experience.
The day I assumed the position of executive director of NASW,
I got a message from Mark Battle, who formerly held the position.
Mark and I met, and he has served as a mentor in association management
ever since. I am very grateful for his insight and support.
Mentoring seems appropriate to think about this month since March
is National Social Work Month. Perhaps you will think about those
persons who have helped you most during your career — the ones
who helped instill your professional values and your professional
spirit — and maybe take a few minutes to drop them a note or give
them a call, to recognize the significant role they have played
in your life.
I also hope you will take a few more minutes to think about the
importance of supporting and mentoring the next generation of
social workers. Whether you are a college professor, a field supervisor,
an agency director, a clinical supervisor or a co-worker, you
can be a mentor. It took all of us years to develop professionally,
and it was a much easier road if we received encouragement from
other social workers along the way.
You may never know how you are remembered by the young social
workers you inspire today, but your efforts will be part of the
legacy and proud heritage of our profession.
I wish all of you a happy Social Work Month.
To comment to Elizabeth J. Clark: newscolumn@naswdc.org
From March 2005 NASW News. © 2005 National
Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. NASW News
articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of
copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies
made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising,
promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.
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