David Pan is a first-year student in the AWELL (Advancing Health and Well-being across the Adult Lifespan) concentration; his current field placement is with the Community Health Resource Center and with Sutter Health: Pacific Primary Care.
Before coming to Berkeley Social Welfare, what were you doing?
I was a Peer Counselor here in San Francisco connecting residents with Medi-Cal to Behavioral Health Services (BHS) funded by the Department of Public Health, and providing case management support for the Behavioral Health Clinicians in an outpatient clinic.
What motivated you to pursue an MSW?
My lived experiences. I was a recipient of county BHS here in San Francisco, and I vividly remembered BHS providers in the Adult and Older Adult Systems of Care who were not culturally responsive and/or trauma-Informed. I've also been with providers who were the opposite: they embodied Social Work theories and practice models that restored my self-confidence and my overall sense of self. Not everyone, of course, has a similar experience—some encounter barriers to care, like shame and stigma, that could delay their treatment for years—so I am motivated by my lived experiences, and my empathy for others, to provide better quality of care to those who were in my shoes.
Why did you choose the Berkeley MSW program in particular?
I chose Berkeley's MSW Program because of its emphasis on the micro, mezzo, and macro-level forces that shape the experience of our community members. If I want to be more in tune with the needs of my clients, and the theories and modalities influencing my practice, I need to examine the ways in which a program is designed and implemented. If I want to know why certain networks and programs exist, I need to examine policies on a local, state, and federal level that creates the funding mechanisms and their regulations. And more importantly, if I'm going to do my part to dismantle systems of oppression, I need to voice support for policies promoting the well-being of our community members, and Vote! That's what I saw in Berkeley's MSW Program from the New Student Orientation, and I'm glad I'm here.
Could you tell us about your field placement?
It's funny. My field placement feels like two part-time jobs. My supervisor was right. I am doing Individual Psychotherapy at the Community Health Resource Center, a non-profit contracting with Sutter Health to provide sliding-scale BHS and health education to community members. I am also doing care management at Sutter Health: Pacific Primary Care, linking patients to community resources while offering emotional support.
How has your experience been overall with field placement?
Unique, that's for sure. This is my first time working remotely because of the pandemic, and in the beginning, it felt awkward. I was used to going to the office, and personalizing my workspace, but once I settled down and developed my workflow, I felt happy putting on my Social Work hat. Overall, it's been a great experience. Very thankful to have a supervisor as well who is flexible and accommodating of my learning interests.
COVID has caused a lot of disruption over the last year. Is there anything that you'd like to share about how that experience has been for you?
I can't wait to get off this rollercoaster. I thought, on more than one occasion, that I was going to die. COVID-19 has been a big disruption to myself, and especially my family. I also realized that life is fragile, and to not take things for granted, like quality time with friends and family. And finally, being more present, acknowledging my limitations, and reaching out for help when I need it.
What do you appreciate most about the program here?
The MSW Program does a wonderful job of teaching us how to think critically about social work. Like examining the assumptions within the policy design, critiquing the methodology and its feasibility, and the use of critical consciousness in our practice, like assessments and clinical interventions. I could go on, and on, but to sum it up, I've learned to be a critical consumer of knowledge and as a result, a more well-rounded social worker.
One more thing I want to say: The people here—the students, the lecturers, and the professors—know so much about their subject matter. It's amazing, and I am thankful for the classes that I have taken with them. Did I mention as well that they're friendly, empathetic, and accessible?
What keeps you busy outside the MSW program?
Busy is not the word here. More like self-care. For self-care, I love listening to podcasts, baseball on the radio, and piano music. Love journaling as well, and mindlessly watching cooking channels and Mukbangs on YouTube. And hopefully, more of the outdoors soon. Like walking around campus, and watching Cal Baseball in person. I miss doing that.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
By loosely associating the pandemic with Asian Americans, we have become more aware of the microaggressions, hate crimes, and violence towards the AAPI community. I was no exception.
(Side note: I want to thank the people in the School of Social Welfare for their check-ins. It meant a lot to me...)
So when I heard that the United States Senate passed the bill taking action against the hate towards the AAPI community, I felt relieved but unsatisfied. I urge you, the reader, to stand up against all forms of hate that are festering because of our racial and ideological differences, and to treat others with civility and respect. As Americans, we have much more in common than we think we do.