Christina Lynn Kolski, LCSW, MSW

School Social Worker, Chicago Public Schools, IL

“You need to take care of your own baggage before you can help others with theirs.”

I’ve always worked with children and adolescents in some capacity. I liked the idea of reaching kids in schools. As a school social worker, the things that make a day great are a hug from a child, a sincere thank-you, an angelic look, and a playful spirit. Working one-on-one with kids in need of my help and in need of someone to listen – that’s really satisfying.

The best part is when a child I have been working with remembers and applies something I’ve taught them. Also, those moments when a child finally opens up to me and begins to trust me.

One of the most rewarding moments for me was when my position was cut and I was saying goodbye to a girl I had been working with. She turned to me and said, “What am I going to do without you? You saved my life.”

Salary: $50,000-$59,999