Her Story
About Dr. Racquel
I've dedicated 15 years to social work, helping vulnerable populations across multiple states. My career has taken me through the Department of Human Services, Veterans Services of the Carolinas, and various family services programs, where I've worked with people who need benefits, veteran support, and children coming into care. I became a director a year and a half ago, which I consider my most notable professional achievement because I reached this position at a young age after learning how different states operate in the social work field. Now, as director, I manage budgets, sit on several boards working with other agencies to serve our population, handle HR responsibilities including payroll and hiring to keep vacancy rates low, and focus heavily on community outreach. What I love most about my current role is that I started as a social worker in case management, so I understand what it feels like to work in that environment helping families achieve self-sufficiency and strengthen their bonds. This experience allows me to train new social workers and show them that they can reach this path too. I'm passionate about what I do because I can help people, and I bring a solution-oriented mindset to every challenge, always researching and bringing in teams when needed to get things done.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dr. Racquel
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would definitely say my parents. Without their sacrifice, I would not be where I'm at. This is for them as well. Their support and the foundation they provided made it possible for me to achieve everything I have accomplished in my career and education.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would just say, just be patient with the process. There's gonna be days that you may want to give up, it's going to be challenging days, but just stay on the path, because eventually, you get where you're supposed to be, as long as you are walking in integrity. This role is all about what we do as social workers - we help people get to self-sufficiency, we connect them to resources. You need to be able to be a trusting person, so when you go out and you talk with people, such as constituents, or even external stakeholders, they need to be able to trust you. Let your work show for yourself.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I've faced is learning that you're not an expert in everything. I move and think as a solutionizer - if people bring issues to me, I want to solve them. Before, I probably could, but at this level, I'm learning still. I would say you're not an expert in everything, and so you have to continuously keep learning. That has been a bit of a challenge for me, because I like to have all the answers, but I'm learning it's okay if you don't have an answer, you can always reach out for help. As for opportunities, the path in this field includes going into local government, federal or even state government, because the position is political in a sense. You're working with a lot of people - the governor, county administrator, mayors - and all of that entails having a balanced outlook.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity. That's the value I stress every single day. Even in my personal life, integrity. You got to do the right thing whether anybody's looking, because right is always going to follow. There's power in doing the right thing, because even though somebody may not see it, it sets you up in the right path. And when you get to those heights, like being a director, you have to have integrity. With all the money and responsibilities involved, you have to make sure that you're doing what you're supposed to be doing correctly.
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