Sarah J. Roe

LCSW

I sometimes feel I didn't choose this field - that instead it chose me. My mother was a social worker who worked mainly in social services with Child Protective Services. Prior to that, as I was growing up, she worked for other community organizations that targeted issues such as racial violence, social injustice and poverty. During that time, confidentiality laws and professional boundaries were not as stringent as they are today so consequently I frequently encountered and/or interacted with my mother's clients. After picking me up from school I often accompanied my mother to her office downtown where I would work on homework while she worked. The office she worked in was in the heart of downtown and I would often see homeless and "down on their luck" kinds of people wander in and out, sometimes just saying hello, sometimes trying to get a cup of coffee or some change for something to eat. I loved it because I am a natural "people watcher", and fascinated by people. But what left the greatest impression on me was how my mother interacted with them. She greeted each and every one of them like a long lost friend, whether they be homeless and mentally ill or a board member. She would invite them in, offer them a cup of coffee and then ask them about their day. Through these experiences I got to know a number of her clients and developed a fondness and deep appreciation for them and the struggles they had to endure and overcome. I was curious and fascinated with their life stories - where they came from, the things that shaped them and what made them tick. During my college education, I actually was quite uncertain of the career path I should choose. It wasn't until my senior year in college that one of my professors took the time out to talk to me about what I wanted to do after college. He asked me if I had ever considered getting a master's degree and then suggested I consider getting a masters of social work which would give me a variety of options for a career path. So with that nudge, I went on to graduate school where it became very clear almost immediately what my career should be. I took that path and so far have never looked back.