Jody Monk, Masters of Clinical Social Work student from UBCO, landed a practicum position at BCCPC based on two things: an interest in learning more about death and dying and wanting to learn more about the research process (from grant to final recommendations).
Jody is working as a research assistant on our bereavement project and has been very involved in transcribing and tabulating responses from the public survey.
Leaning on evidence
“There is more and more emphasis on evidence-based practice in clinical social work, so it’s been incredible working with the Centre,” said Jody. “I love how much (research manager) Joshua Black really leans into evidence-informed methods, but without losing sight of the human being. The team values science and the person at the heart of the study.”
Evolving to bigger questions … and answers
Talking about her work with the Centre, Jody notes that she’s learning more than the research skills she came looking for.
“Coming out of my degree, there was still a big question remaining… who am I and what do I want my professional self to be?”
“Coming out of my degree, there was still a big question remaining… who am I and what do I want my professional self to be?” she said. “Working with the bereavement project, and being privileged to share people’s lived experiences through the interviews has been a catalyst to a lot of introspection, including coming to terms with my own impermanence.”
In addition to introspection on a personal level, Jody has come to some professional conclusions as well. She’s found her priorities shifting beyond a one-on-one therapeutic practice to systemic changes and bringing about shifts on bigger picture issues.
Jody will graduate from UBCO in June 2022 and will complete her practicum with BCCPC this April.
