Michelle Watts, LCSW, DCSW, QCSW

Community Center Manager, Milwaukee County Parks, Recreation and Culture, WI

“I think of myself as a “realistic” social worker, teaching my clients and the community how to empower themselves and problem-solve independently.”

My upbringing motivated me to become a social worker. I am the youngest of a family of fourteen, which pointed me to my first concentration in Children, Youth and Families. Later, I expanded my education into Mental Health.

I’m now the manager for our Parks, Recreation & Culture Community Center. It serves a diverse population with a myriad of social issues. During my first six months, I quadrupled the previous year’s revenue, received donations from major corporations and created our motto of “being part of the solution, not the problem.”

But I also know I’m succeeding when members and visitors greet me with a smile and say “Thank you. You’re doing a great job,” or “You cared when no one else did.”

My advice? Take advantage of your field placements. This is truly an opportunity to learn to network and learn.