Student Spotlight: Devyn Taylor

Devyn Taylor standing in front of the Mandel School

Class Year: July 2024

Degree Program: MSW On-Campus

Concentration: Health

Field Education Organizations: Parent Bereavement Programs at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio

Hometown: Round Rock, Texas

Give a brief overview of your field education experience(s).

In my undergraduate studies, I was interning at University of North Texas Health Science Center's Family Medicine Clinic as an outpatient social worker. I did a lot of work pertaining to community resource referral and navigating patient insurance.

At UH Parent Bereavement Programs, I am working closely with patients and families after the loss of a baby, infant or child. This work entails meeting with families at bedside or making phone calls once they are discharged home to ensure continuity of care and continued support. I am constantly utilizing social work skills and helping patients and families navigate their grief journey.

What are you doing in field that you’re planning to bring with you into your career?

One skill that I am taking with me into my future practice is that it is okay to just sit with clients and families and not "fix" the problem. Once we are involved as the Parent Bereavement Program, there is nothing we can do to fix the problem, nor is there a solution. We have to be okay telling families that there is no answer for why this happened, and as social workers, we have to be okay with that and give our clients space to talk.

What is something you've learned during your practicum that you have found to be most helpful in your social work journey?

Make friends in other parts of your organization. No matter how shy you are or how insignificant you think your position is, make friends in other spaces. You never know when someone is going to be asking you to consult or for a favor, and vice versa. 

Who is someone you've met during your field practicum that will change the way you practice?

Allison Remy, my supervisor, is someone that has influenced the way I will practice social work forever. 

Before beginning at Case Western Reserve University, what were you doing?

I was attending the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, to obtain my bachelor's in social work. I graduated in 2023 and came straight here!

What is your favorite thing about Cleveland/University Circle?

Gordon Square! Gordon Square has such fun places to go and community events happening all the time. If you go, you must go to Happy Dog, Brewnuts or Superelectric Pinball Parlor.

Do you have any plans for after graduation yet?

I hope to continue working in a hospital setting around the Cleveland area!

What are you most looking forward to post-graduation?

Being officially licensed!

What's something you'd share with an incoming student who is starting a graduate or professional program at CWRU?

Don't be nervous to make friends. Everyone is in the same boat and is just as nervous as you. For my out-of-state people – I came from Texas and I was super nervous about coming all this way just to not have any friends. Just breathe. It'll all be fine.