By S. Jolene Hui, LCSW, Membership Coordinator
Born and raised in the San Diego area, Jessica Robinson always knew she wanted to be a social worker in the city in which she grew up.
After graduating from high school, she attended at San Diego State University—where she also completed her graduate degree in 2002—and now works as an administrator and as executive director of the Consensus Organizing Center. In addition, she’s currently in a doctoral program at the university.
How long does she feel she’s been a social worker?
“Personally I think social work has been a part of me since a young age. I’ve always been interested in and curious about people and their environments and how the world helps shape who we are and how we adapt and succeed in life.”
When Robinson was in high school she was interested in teaching so she volunteered in an elementary school. It was there she became drawn to the school social workers and their scope of practice. She said that their engagement with families appealed to her. From that moment, she knew she wanted to be a social worker.
After high school she received her Bachelor’s degree in social work after having completed her undergrad internship with Child Protective Services. During that time she wondered if she could help an entire community and decided to be involved in administration and community work or “the bigger picture.”
Since Robinson graduated with her Master’s in administrative social work she has been working in the community organizing and administrative fields.
“I always kind of followed what I wanted and my interest was always advocating for vulnerable populations,” she says.
The Consensus Organizing Center, formed 1998, has many programs, one of which involves students at the university who are interested in working and engaging with communities. The Center places these students on a community development track in non-traditional settings such as banks and libraries.
Regarding her current position, she says, “I’ve had the privilege of writing, implementing and evaluating programs that engage our students in the School of Social Work while teaching and advising. I have the unique privilege of serving in several capacities at SDSU and in the community. All social work related. I’m extremely fortunate and grateful for this opportunity.”
After Robinson completes her educational doctorate in 2017, she’d like to work in university student affairs.
In addition to all of her professional accomplishments, Robinson is proud of her supportive family.
Her children are used to attending community events related to her job and she feels they have a higher level of empathy than most children their age because of their involvement. And when Robinson went back for her doctorate, they made it work. She said, “I couldn’t ask for a more supportive, loving and caring family.”
Robinson recently rejoined NASW-CA and advises new social workers to never forget why they entered this field to begin with.
“Always stay true to our Code of Ethics and cherish your unique opportunity to enter and work with a family or community during what may be their darkest hour or struggle. We have a huge responsibility as social workers and we should always lead with passion and respect.
Jolene Hui, LCSW, is NASW-CA’s membership coordinator and can be reached at jhui@naswca.org.
