Hello LinkedIn Network,
I originally shared this with my network, and I’m now posting it publicly to connect with a broader audience.
I’m Aki, a recent graduate of the University of Michigan School of Social Work (May 2024), with a Master’s degree focused on Oncology and Geriatric Social Work. I’m actively seeking opportunities in this field. As an international candidate from Japan currently living and working in Michigan, I am open to relocation and/or remote opportunities. I plan to remain in the U.S. long-term. I would be grateful for any leads or connections within your network, as well as any insights you could share by email, phone, or Zoom.
I am deeply committed to supporting and advocating for cancer patients and their families, inspired by my own experience of losing my mother to a rare cancer. This personal journey motivated me to transition from a nine-year-career in IT consulting to social work, where I aim to bring both empathy and expertise to enhance the quality of life for those affected by cancer. I am drawn to roles that allow me to connect directly with clients in a supportive and compassionate way, while also contributing on a larger scale through community outreach, advocacy, and program development. However, I’m also open to other opportunities that allow me to make a meaningful impact.
Since many roles already require licensure, I would appreciate any advice on MSW-friendly positions or organizations where recent graduates like myself can receive supervision toward licensure.
Relevant Skills and Experience:
Community Outreach & Advocacy: Led outreach efforts, connecting with 300+ cancer patients and their families, and significantly increasing service awareness and access. I also took the initiative to develop a comprehensive resource guide based on needs assessment, demonstrating my research and information-synthesis skills and my ability to communicate insights effectively to diverse stakeholders.
Support Group Facilitation: Co-facilitated support groups to help cancer patients and families reduce isolation and improve communication with healthcare providers. This role helped me build strong interpersonal skills, enabling me to establish rapport and trust with clients while providing empathetic and timely support.
Event Coordination and Community Engagement: Supported fundraising events by coordinating logistics, managing communications, and driving raffle ticket sales, which contributed to engaging 150+ participants and raising $57,000.
Culturally Competent Care: As a bilingual professional fluent in English and Japanese, I offer culturally sensitive support to diverse populations, including Japanese-speaking clients.
Program Development and Patient Experience Improvement: My IT background has honed my project management, problem-solving, and Microsoft Office skills, enabling me to design patient-centered, culturally sensitive programs that meet essential needs.
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Aki