Deacon Spotlight: Jackie Agboke
Jackie Agboke (BA 2011 in Psychology and Spanish )
Clinical Social Worker at UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Los Angeles, CA
Tell us about your current job role/employer and what you’re currently working on.
I am a Clinical Social Worker at UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, primarily on the child and adolescent unit, where I conduct bio psychosocial assessments, facilitate family sessions, and create discharge plans for children and adolescents hospitalized for psychiatric reasons including danger to self or others. My role involves working closely with these patients and their families to navigate the hospitalization process and determine appropriate post-hospital care. I also run therapy groups on the unit and have been a clinical supervisor since 2021, supervising unlicensed social workers.
In addition to my primary duties, I have initiated affinity groups within the hospital, including one for individuals who identify as BIPOC and another for the LGBTQIA community. These groups meet every other month to foster a sense of community in our large hospital environment. Our staff is diverse, comprising psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, and educational consultants on the child units, and paraprofessionals who provide mental health care.
What key personal and/or career experiences led you to where you are today?
I started as a psychology major in undergrad, and a big turning point came during an informational interview with the head of the student counseling department. He told me not to bother with a PhD unless I wanted to do research, which was a game-changer since my school pushed research hard. This made me look at other options, like interning with Big Brothers Big Sisters and working as a research assistant in Dr. Buchanan’s lab. These experiences made it clear that I wanted to work directly with people, not just focus on research.
After graduating, I did a one-year program with Match Charter Schools in Boston, working as a tutor and building connections with students. I realized that teaching wasn’t for me, but I loved supporting kids. Inspired by a social worker at the school, I went into community mental health, eventually providing family therapy and mentoring at a center. This confirmed that social work was my thing, so I applied to grad programs and moved to California.
In California, I took on various roles, like working in community mental health in South LA, at an agency for homeless youth, and at Children’s Hospital LA. Each job taught me a lot and confirmed my passion for helping kids and teens. In 2019, I joined UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, focusing on kids and teens with psychiatric issues. The pandemic hit hard, highlighting the importance of schools and community programming. Once these things weren’t available, the impact on the mental health of young people was apparent. Much of my work during the pandemic was figuring out how to connect children and their families to ongoing services and care while everything was shutting down. I later became a clinical supervisor, mentoring new social workers, teaching both psychology and psychiatry trainees about how to work with complex child and adolescent cases, and figuring out how to improve access and care within the hospital. Despite all the twists and turns, I’m grateful for the experiences that led me to where I am today.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job? How do you navigate that challenge?
The toughest part of my job is not having enough resources to help everyone and feeling powerless about it. I try my best to connect families with whatever’s available, but it’s frustrating when they can’t get what they need just because they don’t have enough money. It’s really upsetting that our system basically tells kids they can’t have certain services because their parents can’t afford them.
Even though I can’t control everything, I always do my best to support families while they’re with me. I advocate for them, give them all the info I can, and link them to as many resources as possible. When families leave, technically my job with them ends, but I always tell parents to reach out if they need more help. I want them to know I’m still there for them, even after they’ve left my care.
What advice would you give to Wake Forest graduates about developing their personal life habits after college (finances, health, values, work/life balance)?
My advice to Wake Forest graduates is not to be afraid to follow the path that calls to you, even if it’s not traditional or clear at first. When I was at Wake, I didn’t even know social work was an option, and if I had stuck to what everyone told me, I’d be doing research now. Instead, I found my own way and it worked out great.
Wake Forest gives you a solid education, and you’ll probably realize you’re better prepared than a lot of other new graduates when you get to grad school or start your first job. Trust yourself to do what speaks to you, even if it’s not the typical route. You don’t have to follow the crowd if it doesn’t feel right for you.
Tell us about your mentoring relationships. What impact have these relationships had on your career and life?
I’ve always had supervisors who were really supportive and honest about the next steps and options available, which has been crucial for my growth. It’s also important to learn from people outside your discipline. In my job, we’re a multidisciplinary team, and I constantly learn amazing things from my colleagues.
I’m specifically thinking about my grad school supervisor, Barbara. Barbara was this awesome, 70-80-year-old Jewish woman from New York who went to Berkeley and worked as a social worker during the AIDS epidemic. She was tough but honest and really shaped how I think about my work and the pieces we might be missing. She taught me that while there are parameters to any job, we don’t always have to stay within the lines.
Barbara’s influence reminds me to push boundaries and think creatively in my work. Her mentorship got me to where I am today, and I strive to pass on that same kind of guidance and inspiration to the interns and new social workers I work with now.
What advice would you give to current Wake Forest students and/or young alumni who are interested in working in your industry?
It takes time to get to the places you want to be. When you’re just starting out, don’t expect your first job to be high-paying or managerial right away. It doesn’t work like that. You need to gain experience and get comfortable in your role. If a program offers you a high-level position right out of grad school, you should be cautious.
Your first job doesn’t have to be your forever job. In social work, and in most professions nowadays, it’s normal to move around and find what fits best for you. We’re not in a time where staying at the same place for 30 years is expected. You can stay if you want, but it’s also okay to explore different opportunities.
Take your time to learn and be okay with not knowing everything. Practice being comfortable with that uncertainty, as it’s a part of the journey. There’s always more to learn, and thinking you know it all can make you stuck. Don’t immediately turn down opportunities; you never know where they might lead. You might love it, you might hate it, but either way, you’ll gain valuable experience and figure out your next steps.
What’s next for your career? What future goals or plans are you pursuing?
Over the next few years, I see myself continuing with direct practice, but I can also see myself moving into a supervisor role where I can train and provide clinical supervision. It’s about finding that balance where I can still handle a few complex cases but also delegate and let go of some responsibilities. For me, it’s not just about the work itself but also about creating inclusive and supportive environments wherever I go, blending social work with social justice.
Outside of work, I’ve set a personal goal to visit all 50 states by the time I turn 50—I’ve been to 38 so far and I’m 35, so there’s still some traveling to do. Balancing work and personal interests like traveling is important to me, so I’ll need to make sure I leave enough time for both as I move forward.
Story published in June 2024. For current updates about Jackie, visit her LinkedIn page.