Her Story
About Cecilia
Cecilia Rush is a social worker with over 30 years of experience who recently retired after a career focused on supporting veterans and individuals in need. Her most recent role at the Veterans Health Administration was as Coordinated Entry Specialist, where she collaborated with the community to assist homeless veterans. Previously, she served as a case manager at the Veterans Health Administration, helping homeless veterans obtain and maintain housing through direct services including therapy, landlord mediation, and appointment coordination. Since retiring three years ago, she has taken on contractual social work positions, including discharge planning at Bronson Behavioral Health and behavioral health support for Medicaid members at CVS Aetna, focusing on preventing hospitalizations by connecting clients with resources. Throughout her career, Cecilia has valued integrity, honesty, and compassion, advising others that social work requires passion and self-care to avoid burnout.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cecilia
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is you can't help everyone. You just help who's been assigned to you to help. But you can't help everyone. That's how you keep part of your wholeness. Because if you try to take on the world and solve everything, you'll lose yourself.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Social work is more than a degree. It's a passion. You have to care about people. You have to have a heart. Burnout is very real. You have to learn how to switch it off when you're not working and really do self-care. Don't stop at your bachelor's. Go on to your master's. It opens so many doors. Be prepared to put in everything, be prepared to keep learning, have a heart for people.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The biggest value to me is integrity. Integrity is just like a huge, huge thing for me. Along with that, just being honest. If you can help someone help them. If you can't help them, tell them you can't help them, and try to find someone who can help them, but being honest in everything, and being compassionate.
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