My name is Allison Peeler and I've been an LMSW since 2015. As a part of the completion of my MSW degree, I wrote a thesis called "Perceptions of Professional and Financial Worth among Master of Social Work Students".

​

My graduate work opened my eyes to the ways I could expand my skillset and find new ways to help the helpers, so to speak. I was struck by the way I heard some of my MSW peers talking to themselves and each other about the careers they were either about to begin or already had. The tone was not always positive and supportive, and I got the idea that many of them felt they were working in a vacuum--that no one even knew about the amazing work they were doing in their communities every day.

​​

It made me wonder: whose job was it to spread the word about what direct practitioners out there in the trenches were doing--using evidenced-based treatment models and expertise to organize communities, reunify families and help people with chronic conditions live to their potential--and how could I help write and frame that story?

​

This was part of the framework for my research project, and it was also the reason I sought out macro social work training and professional experience where I had the chance to hone skills like program development, community organizing, marketing and fundraising.

​

I transitioned to my current path not because I initially had a passion for marketing (though I truly love it now), but to get to practice with the best in the industry; to have a full team of expert designers, writers and strategists who could teach me the things I hadn’t been exposed to in my previous experience. I hope to bring this knowledge back to the social work community to help investigate, reframe and retell our professional story. One that includes better pay.