One down, many more to go:

I interviewed Mrs. Vanessa Jones, who works in the Benefits Program Specialists, with Social Services in Virginia. Her education background is a degree in Criminal Justice, and an Associate’s Degree in Medical Billing and Terminology. Mrs. Jones discusses what inspired her to get into the current field which was a previous employer at the Virginia department of Health, where she was employed as an office manager, and environmental. As she worked in this position she realized how big of a need for these social services, and the requirements for the people and households in need. She then found a position available that worked in social services and she applied, and was granted that position. The ability we as people have in this world to help others is really inspired as well. 

Some of her basic responsibilities are the Supplements Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy families( TANF), Virginia Initiative for Employment Welfare(VIEW), medically needy families and children medicaid, medically needy age, blind, disable medicaid, Long-Term care Medicaid, and a Foster care Specialists; that deals with finances and the after placement of a foster children. Mrs. Jones talked about how her work environment was phenomenal and how they have to travel to people’s houses to help them with applications and more.She stated that because they are in such a rural area that their resources are limited and funding is not as much as other areas. They often have to recommend people to different places that have those resources; this connects to this sustainability in which those resources and funding are limited. 

Mrs. Jones talked about what she does within her job and how she never leaves her job feeling like she didn’t accomplish helping someone out, essentially doing her job and gaining great reward from it. Her position helps people to remove barriers and help them to sustain their homes and families, and livelihoods. They teach them in order to understand what they apply for in order to maintain. Her favorite thing or something she finds rewarding is when she receives a call or a christmas card from a client, just stating how they really appreciate her or how she is “the best.” She says in a way it makes her feel better because not only does she have to better connect with her clients but reassure them you are capable of handling their needs. Some of her challenges were the way she feels she needs to know how to figure out how to better a household and situation. 

She discussed that going into this field you cannot be cold and frigid, and you cannot be in it just for the money or the job. This job requires a person to be passionate, and have a good heart in the fact that you are working with new people almost everyday. Each person has a different story, and one has to be open-minded to each situation. A surprising aspect of her job is what she gains, and hearing and understanding people’s stories and knowing you are not the only one battling these things. Some advice she would give is, the medical field and that occupation needs people with good hearts, and people who know what you have and apply that to what you are confident in while doing your career.