Jessica Pineda
Healing Care Hospice
Downey, CA USA
"Be yourself. Look into jobs that align with your values. Don’t settle just because you’ve been offered a position."
Career Roadmap
Jessica 's work combines: Education, Philosophy & Religion, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Human Services, General
California State University, Fullerton
Graduate Degree
Social Work
California State University, Long Beach
Bachelor's Degree
Sociology, General
Fullerton College
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Master of Social Work, Hospice :
Bachelor's Degree: Human Services, General
Graduate Degree: Social Work
Bachelor's Degree: Sociology, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Started off in community college as a marine biology major. Figured out I didn’t like science that much.
2.
Switched to child development because I wanted to work with children and families. I liked it but it wasn’t quite what I wanted. I went to an academic counselor who introduced me to human services.
3.
Human services! Transferred to CSUF. Loved it. I explored mental health, domestic violence, group facilitation, studied abroad, research.
4.
Graduated CSUF. Got accepted into CSULB MSW program. I thought I wanted to be a school social worker and get the PPSC. Again, didn’t really connect with children.
5.
Went into medical social work because I enjoyed helping older adults overcome barriers in the medical setting.
6.
Interning at a hospital, I explored the pediatrics, NICU, and labor delivery units. Again, didn’t connect with children population. Then I went into the adult units. I loved the ICU.
7.
In the ICU I began to consider and grow a strong interest in the end of life population. That is when I found what I loved and being able to walk in those moments with people.
8.
1 month before I finished grad school, I got hired where I am currently employed and it is working with the end of life population.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
I constantly heard that my profession wouldn’t allow me to make a descent income and that it was too emotionally draining or hard.
How I responded:
If you’re doing what you love, the income will come. There’s a lot of social work positions where you can make a good income. Yes, our job can be emotionally draining but self care is important and it’s a very rewarding job. As social workers, we’re in this profession because we enjoy being of service and being able to be have real human connections.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Creating relationships with my professors who guided me as mentors. Sought out academic counselors every semester to make sure I was on the right track.