Luke Rankin, MSW ’22, Finds a New Purpose Through Master of Social Work Program

Luke Rankin, MSW ’22, discovered a new purpose for his career through the Master of Social Work program.

 

After completing his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work at St. Thomas, he started his career as a social worker focusing on children and youth, and mental health and addictions. When he returned to St. Thomas for his Master of Social Work, a course on health care put him on an entirely new path.

 

“From the Health Care elective, I went on to complete my advanced practice placement at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, where I’m now happily employed,” he said. “The course was so incredible. It pointed me in a new direction that I never expected.”

 

Rankin is one of nine graduates from the first cohort of the Master of Social Work program—something that holds special meaning for him.

 

“This program will do great things for Fredericton, for New Brunswick, and for the field of social work, so to be here for the start of that is pretty exciting.”

 

For him, the opportunity to return to the classroom came at the perfect time.

 

“I always tell people that personally, I needed this program. Like many in this field, I had been feeling burnt out from the pandemic and feeling like I wasn’t making a difference,” he said. “The Master of Social Work program helped me get refocused, put theory to practice, and boosted my confidence as a professional in the field.”

 

With a renewed sense of purpose in his new position, Rankin hopes to put his critical thinking, social policy analysis, and advocacy skills to work.

 

“I plan on doing what I can to make a difference in the New Brunswick health care system, and someday start my own private practice.”