Her Story
About Rachael
I have been in the human services education field for 10 years. Currently I work as a supports planner at the Coordinating Center, which is one of the top support planning agencies in Maryland. I do case management for clients that have Medicare or Medicaid through the state of Maryland. These clients have various amounts of disabilities and age ranges. So I help them with managing their services, and then of course assist them with any other services that they may need and work as a conduit to providers. I have a bachelor's degree from Stevenson University in Human Services and I'm working on a master's degree from Morgan State University in Education Administration and Supervision, graduating next May in 2027.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rachael
01What do you attribute your success to?
Really just my faith in God and being along for the ride. I'm trying to take my career more by the reins but also listen to where God is leading me in my life and career. I'm transitioning into education because the needs of people are social, emotional, mental, analytical and logistical, and I want to invest in educating children so they are successful in the future.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't give up your seat at the table. Especially as an African-American woman, it's important to keep my seat at the table because if I'm not there, representation for our entire demographic won't be represented, and that causes gaps in equity.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Try as hard as you can to take care of yourself and don't take so much on. Learn as much as you can and be as effective as you can but also give yourself grace and time to reflect and take care of yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Realize that some things are out of your control.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges are explaining things to clients and people outside my control amid changes in administrations, government, services, and education. Helping vulnerable people understand and navigate those changes is difficult, especially with rapid change causing whiplash for clients and practitioners alike.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Definitely loyalty, respect, genuineness and open-mindedness. When you have those things, you can matriculate through life with an open mind and an open heart.
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