‘Confident in my abilities’: What’s next for four social work Ph.D. graduates
Four Ph.D. candidates graduated from the VCU School of Social Work in May 2023. Here’s a snapshot of their experiences and what’s next.
Sunghwan Cho, Ph.D.
- Assistant professor in the School of Social Welfare at the Catholic University of Korea.
What was your favorite or most surprising moment during your time in the doctoral program?
My favorite moment was when I presented my initial research findings at the department seminar. Seeing my hard work being recognized and receiving positive feedback from faculty members and peers was incredibly rewarding and reinforced my passion for social work research. The most surprising moment was when my dissertation research led me to a discovery that contradicted existing literature in the field. It was unexpected and challenging, but it made me realize that there’s always room for new insights and perspectives, even in well-established areas of study. The program was meticulously structured, enabling me to progress systematically through different areas of social work. It not only offered a robust curriculum blending theory and practice but also provided opportunities for immersive research. For instance, I was able to work on a collaborative project aimed at improving community health, which was directly aligned with my area of interest and allowed me to apply the theories I learned in a real-world context.
How did the program, faculty and staff support you, and help you grow and reach your potential?
The faculty members played a crucial role in my academic journey. My advisor was always available for guidance, regularly providing valuable feedback on my research and offering insights that challenged and expanded my understanding of the field. I also benefited from several faculty members who shared their experiences and wisdom during lectures, which helped me view social work from various perspectives. Their mentorship extended beyond academics, as they also gave advice on career progression and networking within the field.
The staff at the university provided immense support, ensuring a conducive learning environment. For instance, the Ph.D Program coordinator helped me work efficiently, making sure everything from course enrollment to paperwork for annual conference registration and funding opportunities went smoothly. The coordinator played a significant role, helping me find research funding opportunities and preparing me for job interviews.
What are you most excited about with your upcoming job, and why is the work you’re planning to do so important?
I’m incredibly excited about my upcoming role as a social work professor at Catholic University of Korea. Having the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I’ve gained during my Ph.D. program in a practical context is thrilling. Specifically, I’m looking forward to investigating the efficacy of current interventions in older adults’ quality of life, a field that has always been close to my heart. I believe that my research could contribute to the development of more effective strategies for supporting vulnerable older adults.
The work I plan to undertake is essential for a number of reasons. First, it will contribute to our understanding of social interventions and how we can enhance their efficacy. More importantly, it directly impacts individuals and communities who are most in need. For example, if my research can help improve the older immigrants’ quality of life, it could potentially change the life trajectory of thousands of older immigrants. I’m driven by the possibility of making a tangible difference through my research, and I believe this underscores the importance of the work I’m about to embark upon.
Sarah Lineberry, Ph.D.
- Evaluation associate for the VCU Partnership for People with Disabilities
What was your favorite or most important moment during your time in the doctoral program?
I can’t choose just one moment from the past four years, but by far my favorite aspect of the program has been the people I’ve met. I’m incredibly grateful for all of my student colleagues – everyone is tackling such difficult issues with compassion and a real passion for the work. I’m really thankful to call them my friends.
How did the program, faculty and staff support you, and help you grow and reach your potential?
All of the faculty and staff in the Ph.D. Program are genuinely invested in our success, both as students and as people. They challenged me to think critically, try new things and reach outside of my comfort zone, all while promising a safe base for me to come back to.
What are you most excited about with your upcoming job, and why is the work you’re planning to do so important?
I’m so excited to be staying in Richmond and working with the Partnership for People with Disabilities at VCU! Disability is still a neglected area in social work and in services in general, and I’m thrilled to be continuing the work that I started during my Ph.D. program.
Jennifer Murphy, Ph.D.
- Assistant professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington
What was your favorite moment during your time in the doctoral program?
Surprisingly, my favorite moment during my doctoral program was the qualifying exam. For two years we worked on general knowledge development, and for me, delving into my own research area for my qualifying exam was the most rewarding experience. It was the time when I was able to first start defining myself as an independent researcher and had the ability to work with my committee to explore where I saw my research agenda progressing.
How did the program, faculty and staff support you, and help you grow and reach your potential?
I felt that I had a very strong support system while in the program. The program director and coordinator were vital in keeping me moving forward. Additionally, my advisor was my rock for my duration in the program. She seamlessly guided me through my courses, my graduate research assistantship, my qualifying exam and my dissertation. I am leaving the program confident in my abilities to be an independent researcher and instructor due to the phenomenal support system I had while at VCU.
What are you most excited about with your upcoming job?
I’m most excited for finding a new community of educators and researchers to learn and grow with. I am one of four incoming faculty, so having a cohort will be a great opportunity to have a support system as I enter my new position.
Camie Tomlinson
- Assistant professor at the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science at the University of Louisville.
What was the most important moment during your time in the doctoral program?
The most important moments during my time in the doctoral program were successfully defending my qualifying paper and my dissertation. Completing the qualifying paper was this opportunity to focus on my own research interests and to begin developing my research trajectory. It was a shift to beginning an independent research agenda. And of course, defending my dissertation was the ultimate moment in the program as it signaled the completion of my degree and the amazing support that I have received from my committee throughout my time in the program.
How did the program, faculty and staff support you, and help you grow and reach your potential?
I have felt very lucky to have been supported by incredible mentors during my time as a doctoral student. Gaining various research experiences through work on faculty projects has been helpful in equipping me with the skills necessary to conduct my own research projects, to lead teams and to mentor students. I was also encouraged by faculty, in particular my first advisor, Dr. Shelby McDonald, to pursue what interested me. For example, I was encouraged and supported to learn advanced statistical methods, which have been and will be helpful to be able to conduct rigorous longitudinal research in my career. Overall, the support I have received, encouragement to pursue my own research path and mentorship from faculty and collaborators within and outside of the School of Social Work have been instrumental in my completion of the Ph.D. Program and in shaping me as a researcher.
What are you most excited about with your upcoming job, and why is the work you’re planning to do so important?
I am looking forward to joining the amazing faculty at the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science and more broadly at the University of Louisville. I plan to spend time learning more about the community in Louisville, community agencies and services available to youth involved in the child welfare system (or at risk for involvement), and potential collaborations with faculty and community partners. I look forward to finding ways to partner with others so that my research focused on promoting positive mental health outcomes for youth involved with the child welfare system can translate to real-world impact in the local community.