The Everywhere Superheroes: Social Workers' Outsized Impact on Tech, Business, Social Justice and Beyond - Newsweek

When asked about what the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) does, Jennifer Thompson, executive director of the organization's New Jersey and Delaware chapters, turns the question around: "When you think of a social worker, what comes to mind?" Thompson says most people "think about one singular interaction they've had," such as seeing a therapist with an LCSW or MSW degree (social workers currently provide 60% of the mental health services in the United States) or interactions within the context of social services organizations, such as child protective services, public housing administration or job support offices, or nursing homes.

One of Thompson's professional missions (she has a few) is helping people understand all of the "hidden spaces" in which social workers operate on a daily basis. "The social work profession is so incredibly broad," she says. Social workers are clinicians, but also researchers, advocates, program developers, innovators, case managers, business leaders, academics and even tech developers working with social media companies. "Trained social workers are in every area of our community, leading, lending a hand, uplifting us in ways that are often hidden in plain sight," she says.

Thompson is a champion for the profession and loves pointing out that while social workers practice in places people might expect — facilitating addiction therapy or running domestic violence or homeless shelters or centers serving LGBTQIA kids — social workers also play vital roles in what Thompson refers to as "hidden spaces," including the forefront of cannabis regulation and working to pass legislation legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana throughout the country. Social workers are also technology developers, working at the intersection of AI, VR, and the ethical integration and use of technology. As Thompson points out, it's important to figure out what this tech means for people as therapists, as well as communities coming together in virtual spaces, and the long-term impacts on our mental health. But the work doesn't end there. "We're voraciously fighting for student loan forgiveness. And also social justice — social workers are leading the efforts to create more equitable, anti-racist communities, and they are at the forefront of protecting women's rights across the country," says Thompson.

Thompson is quick to point out that these roles are all supported by social workers on the back end, where colleagues provide resources, training and support for other social workers (an area in which the NASW specializes), and a community that can support new social workers as they progress in the industry. "The profession as a whole is pretty busy; we're at the forefront of all major issues today," she sighs. "Never is there a day where we're not responding to a multitude of issues. It's clear now more than ever, though, that we are needed."

In many ways, this idea of existing in unexpected spaces is Thompson's own story: The granddaughter of immigrants (her grandparents settled in the coal community in Montana) and the first person to graduate college in her family, she saw graduate school as a ticket out of rural Kansas. Upon graduating from Columbia University's graduate school of social work, she worked at the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, where her job was to "advocate for the needs of all the constituents who interact with taxis and limousines in the city."

Notable changes during Thompson's tenure include a significant increase in the number of vehicles equipped for wheelchair-bound passengers and the launch of programs to better serve differently abled passengers, including induction loop technology and dispatch systems. "You may not initially think social workers play a role in transportation, but our unique skills round out a leadership table," says Thompson. "I know that the social work perspective helped us develop stronger transportation policy."

Thompson was also able to elevate the voices of the taxi drivers, over 90% of whom are immigrants. "Community organizing and meeting people where they are is a fundamental social work skill. I spent a lot of time with drivers and with advocates for the driving community learning about their needs and working to bring their needs forward as we shaped policy," she says. From there Thompson explored other seemingly surprising spaces for a social worker: She served as a direct advisor to former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg on transportation and infrastructure issues; later, she moved to the nonprofit world where she led the development of culturally tailored programs for breast cancer survivors, funded by the CDC at Sharsheret. Prior to taking on her current role, she served as the chief marketing and communications officer for Girl Scouts.

Thompson describes her current role as "coming home." "In all of these spaces I learned and found a passion for the work, and I was honored to be one of the only social workers in those spaces," Thompson said. "But I know how hard it is to be a social worker, so it's a privilege to be entrusted with advocating for my own professional community."

Thompson is passionate about elevating the voices of social workers and helping the broader community understand the depth and breadth of the field. "There should be a social worker at every leadership table. There is not one department in any company that would not benefit from a social worker's unique training, skills and expertise. Social workers bring skills in innovation, research, and communication; a nuanced understanding of human behavior; and a unique lens and approach to building and growth," she said. "They bring a unique perspective and a skill set and research that nobody else can understand."

"And what company doesn't need that?" Thompson asks.