by Kathryn Hyams, IV-E Fellow in her first field placement at Neighborhood House in St Paul

How do we define success? In social work? In life?

Allison Scheel and Kathryn Hyams Neighborhood House.When I first began my internship at Neighborhood House, my field supervisor posed the question, “What do you want your legacy to be, once your field placement is over?”

This question took me by surprise. So rarely had I experienced closure being discussed in a job or internship setting. Often, the end date of a position is unknown. You simply “put in your two weeks” and take that time to wrap things up and say your goodbyes.

Before entering my Master of Social Work program, I worked in social media marketing and communications. I came from a world of deliverables and strict deadlines for content creation. Success was defined by the quantity and quality of work I was able to produce in a week. While my individual influence on the work was acknowledged in-office, once the content was published, it was solely a representation of the company or brand.

Now, I am the brand. While my actions and efficacy are directly linked to my agency, the participants I meet with remember conversations and interactions with Kathryn, not simply a Neighborhood House intern. These personal connections and relationships are what bring me back to my field placement each day with a sense of hope and excitement. However, the intimacy created in this work can make defining boundaries between the personal and professional challenging, too.

I work with families in crisis. Some days, it feels like we take one step forward, while the next is two steps back. People’s lives can’t be put on a to-do list and checked off. I can’t present a stack of neat papers to my supervisor at the end of the day and say, “I got it all done. Good night!” How do I think about my legacy, when change and growth some days seem so far off? What difference have I made?

I have had to shift my perspective. I may not lead a successful presentation, but I can lead someone to an appointment. I may not create an annual report, but I can create art with a child. I may not write a brochure, but I can write case notes and goals speaking to the strengths of those I interact with every week.

So, my legacy? I can.