Elizabeth McKee '07

Clinical Social Worker, Wonderland Child & Family Services

Major: Social Work

"I always planned to become a helping professional in one way or another.  When I considered that I would be spending nearly one-third of my life working, it was imperative for me to find a career with purpose to the work beyond a paycheck or other benefits. I find meaning in working to support others, which made social work a natural fit for my undergraduate major. I was also heavily involved in volunteering in college, spending time at agencies where I could begin to build skills for my future career. This experience, along with my practicum senior year, prepared me well for my first full-time job.

After graduation, I became an assistant director of a nonprofit childcare program. I came to understand that I was privileged to have a college degree.  I learned about the inequities in the early education sector, especially when it comes to worthy wages. Most of all, the position solidified my passion for working with young children and families.  After some time, I learned that to further my career goals it would be necessary to seek a graduate education.

I took full advantage of the Career Center during my senior year at UP, and have continued to work closely with them as an alum when I was considering job changes, professional challenges, and graduate school applications.  Even though my home is Seattle, Amy assisted me virtually with updating resumes, creating cover letters, prepping for interviews, creating personal statements for graduate school, and negotiating salaries and benefits.  Most of my college friends are not aware of the alumni benefits of the Career Center and it’s too great a service to miss out on!

My advice for job-seeking Pilots is to go straight to the websites of companies you want to work with.  Often jobs are updated more frequently on a company’s own website than on external job search sites.  And remember, when you are job searching or negotiating it’s a rare time in your life when it’s important to be selfish and ensure you put your own needs and desires first. 

After receiving my Masters of Social Service from Bryn Mawr College, I spent four years with Seattle Children’s Hospital, and recently moved into my current role as a Clinical Social Worker at Wonderland’s Hope RISING Clinic in Bothell, WA. I love this work because I spend my days developing trusting professional relationships with clients, learning about their life experiences and joining them on a journey of healing. Being present with clients as their stories unfold and they work to make changes is a deeply meaningful experience for me as a clinician and encourages me to continue in this work helping others along a similar path.  I became a social worker because of my values and most days I can see an authentic connection between these values and the work that I do."