Skip to content
UNE Faculty Sites
University of New England - Innovation for a Healthier Planet
UNE School of Social Work Blog
  • Home
  • About
  • Students
  • Portland
  • Apply
October 14, 2022October 12, 2022 by socialwork in Uncategorized

MSWO Alumni Spotlight: Hillary McAllister ’16

Name: Hillary McAllister

Year of Graduation: 2016

What is your current job and what does your work entail? I am an outpatient clinician in a community mental health agency and provide outpatient mental health services to caseload of varying ages.

What are the biggest challenges and greatest rewards of your work? Challenges: lack of transportation, housing, and access to community in rural Maine. Rewards: watching clients be able to access their toolbox of skills and enjoy their lives.

What drew you to social work? I was a teacher for 7 years and felt like my students’ needed support a different level if they were going to be able to access their education. Social work allows me to provide that support and advocate within the school system for clients.

Why did you choose to come to UNE? I was a parent, wife, and needed to work full-time while going to school. I live in Maine but too far to commute to any MSW programs. UNE offered an online program but also had a brick and mortar campus and support system in my state that I could access.

Where did you do your field placement(s), and how did your field placement(s) enrich your learning experience? I completed my field placement at the agency where I currently work, Oxford County Mental Health Services. I returned to working here a couple of years after completing my internship and working at another agency.

Do you have tips around managing work/life/school balance? Having strong natural supports. I would not have been able to balance everything without my very supportive partner and family network. Also, getting fresh air. Getting outside was a life saver.

The Fun Stuff

Last TV show you binged: Only Murders in the Building.

“One thing I wish people knew about being a grad student is _______.”: It’s about your life, what you want and what you need.

Favorite spot in Maine: Home 🙂

Alumni, Clinical Social Work, MSW, MSW Alumni, Social Work, UNE, UNE Social Work, University of New England

Recent Posts

  • MSW Elective Spotlight: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Strengths-Based Perspective
  • MSW Faculty Spotlights: Nancy Shore, PhD, MSW, MPH
  • MSW Faculty Spotlights: Craig Owens MSW, LCSW
  • MSW Alumni Spotlight: Graham Botto ’22
  • MSW Alumni Spotlight: John Kidney ’22

Contact us

Have questions?

About Social Workers

UNE’s Integrated Clinical Practice Specialization  prepares you with the advanced clinical skills necessary to practice in a variety of clinical settings and a comprehensive understanding of human potential for individual and collective growth.  Our unique certificate options in Trauma-informed Social Work Practice, Applied Arts and Social Justice (AASJ), and Training in Aging and Diversity (TRIAD)*) alongside field placements, interprofessional learning opportunities, independent studies, and research grants allow you to integrate your individual passions into your educational programming. The nation needs more social workers as we continue to develop our understanding of mental health and advance the rights of the most vulnerable in our society.  Join us today!

Categories

  • AASJ
  • Aging & Ethics
  • Alumni
  • BSW Program
  • Causes
  • Clinical
  • Community Projects
  • Covid19
  • Curriculum
  • Faculty Research, Projects, and Presentations
  • Faculty Spotlight
  • Interprofessional Education
  • IPEC
  • LGBTQ+
  • Macro
  • Mental Health
  • MSW Online
  • MSWO
  • Multicultural Education
  • Racism
  • Research
  • Social Work Jobs
  • Staff
  • Student life
  • Student Projects
  • Student Testimonials
  • Student Travel
  • Substance Use Disorder
  • Therapy
  • Trauma
  • TRIAD
  • Uncategorized
  • Veteran
  • What is Social Work?
  • WHY UNE?

Attend an info session!

Attend one of our info sessions listed HERE

or contact Meg Webster at mwebster4@une.edu to schedule a Zoom

Share

UNE School of Social Work Blog

Hersey Hall
716 Stevens Ave
Portland, ME 04103

2072214508

  • Facebook-f
  • Instagram