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ALIGN YOUR VALUES. FIND YOUR PASSION & PURPOSE. NAVIGATE LIFE
October 13, 2020
Brendan O’Donnel has followed his passions to work on tallships, lead wilderness adventure trips, and serve as a high school teacher in the AmeriCorps. “I never imagined I would go back to school,” Brendan said. Yet, he recently graduated with a Master’s of Social Work from Grand Valley State University’s Traverse City Regional Center campus.
Align Your Values
After earning his Bachelor’s degree in 2007, Brendan didn’t believe that additional university education was essential to the life he was living. That is until he found himself burnt out and lacking in true satisfaction at work while living in Traverse City. Historically whenever this feeling of restlessness crept up on him, Brendan moved to a new tallship, a new city. But this time he wanted to invest in the community he now called home.
“I had honestly never even considered social work as an interest.” Brendan started exploring the field after his own therapist mentioned that he might consider it as a career option. He quickly learned that the profession of social work is founded upon the values of care, service, and equity – three values that Brendan himself holds most dear.
During his research phase, Brendan spoke with several advisors from various university partners at the NMC University Center, including multiple staff at the GVSU Traverse City Regional Center. “The fact that I could stay in Traverse City and go to graduate school was the icing on the cake,” he said. Brendan decided to enroll in the GVSU MSW program for the fall of 2016.
Find Your Passion & Purpose
Each social work class reinforced his hunch that social work would be a fulfilling profession. The small class sizes and personal connections with professors both in Traverse City and downstate on main campus let students make the most of their class time and deeply explore the topics being taught.
“No one’s academic education can completely prepare you for work, but you learn how to think and with rigor,” recalls Brendan. “I was happy to find an institution that focused more on how a person could think about how to approach challenges.”
Asked what advice Brendan would give to anyone thinking about pursuing social work, he stated, “Figure out what you are curious and passionate about. I have generally found the most fulfillment and success by feeding my curiosity. Go out and learn more. That is time never wasted.”
Navigate Life
Brendan puts these critical thinking skills to the test each day at work in both his work roles. He works full-time as a Social Work Supports Coordinator at Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan. In addition, he has a part-time clinical therapy practice at Mental Wellness Counseling. “I spend lots of time working in systems that people don't want to think about. On any given day I could find myself talking to client’s children as they confront the complexity, grief, and uncertainty of how and when to activate a Medical Power of Attorney or petition for Guardian during their parent’s dementia progression. When exactly are mom’s choices so risky that her ability to make her own decisions should be legally curtailed?
Another day I will spend hours calling companies who provide in-home care in an attempt to find a caregiver to help a physically disabled elder take a safe shower in rural northern Michigan, in February. Or work to piece together transportation for medical appointments in communities with little to no public transportation and the medical service provider they need is an hour or more away.
Later that same day I might be holding space as a married couple explain how their social security income or pension are $20 dollars over the income criteria to qualify for Medicaid and instead they have to shop for an affordable Medicare Advantage or supplemental plan, while Parkinson’s slowly strips away their physical function.
“If this first year as a social worker has done one thing it has deepened my resolve that the systems of health care and insurance, Social Security, affordable housing, and accessible mental health care, need to be stripped to the studs and rebuilt to center human dignity and wellbeing.”
Brendan continues to benefit from the folks who supported him throughout his educational journey and he is grateful for his partner, Betsy, their dog, Pax, as well as the community of friends in the Traverse City region, and the community at the University Center. “Everyone gave so much support and reassurance. We don’t really accomplish anything alone.”
If you are looking to fuel your curiosity, reach out to Jackie Abeyta at Grand Valley State University Traverse City Regional Center to get started. It only takes an email [email protected] or a phone call 231-995-1785 to take the next step in your life fulfilling journey.