Erika Schmidt MSW

I’m a trans woman who codes, and this is what I’ve learned about gender in tech

My experience transitioning in midcareer gave me a unique perspective on how the industry should approach gender inclusion.

What is an MSW Degree? Increasing your impact as a social worker

If you’re interested in making a difference as a social worker, you should know that not all social work degrees provide the same opportunities. Learn how an MSW can prepare you to serve some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Answer These Random Questions And We'll Give You An Iconic Schmidt Quote

Eric Schmidt to Grads: You Can Write the Code for All of Us

Eric Schmidt gave this commencement speech at Virginia Tech

People of Perficient: Meet Melinda Schmidt, Solutions Architect

Our healthcare practice brings deep industry insights to projects within the payer, provider, and healthcare solutions space. So it makes sense that the team’s cumulative knowledge would include experts who’ve worked in the same halls as the clients we support. Take, for instance, solutions architect Melinda Schmidt. We caught up recently, and she shared what […]

Schmidt Just Got Real

From bienenstich to layer cakes—Schmidt's Pastry Cottage has you covered.

How 'empathy gap' among social workers can affect services for people of color

Social workers think of themselves as empathetic individuals—after all, they went into social work specifically to help people. But empathy isn't a perfect motivator. Terence Fitzgerald, a clinical associate professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work who studies institutional racism and child welfare, found that an "empathy gap" among white social workers can hurt the services received by people of color. He shares his recent research.

Social workers can do so much more than just pick up the pieces

Social work can break cycles of crisis, and help people change their lives and communities

How can social workers assess the risk of FGM?

Online assessment tool takes information a social worker has gathered and organises it into a simple report

Why Social Work Is One of the Most Rewarding Careers

If you’re looking for an in-demand career that can provide you with meaning, social work is a great field to consider.

The Evolving Profession of Social Work

Social workers seek to empower and advocate for the vulnerable and oppressed and generally improve the well-being of society. The profession has matured and continues to evolve, says Professor Ann Buchanan of the University of Oxford, England. She joins us to examine the history and future of the profession and we'll learn about Case Western Reserve University's pioneering place in the training of social workers.

The Oncology Social Worker: Help When You Need It

Cancer is not only emotionally and physically devastating; the treatment process can be confusing an...

I Want to Be a Social Worker, But...

We’ve heard "TONS" of reasons people aren’t following the tug on their hearts to be in social work. Okay, so you are no good at testing, you have no time, the student loans from the first time around won’t be paid until you retire. But are you happy?

Seven tips for being the best parent you can be

An easy to use chart that lists the most effective parenting habits

When caring hurts: Attrition among social workers, medicine’s unsung heroes

Medical social workers perform many tasks for patients, but the work is taking a high toll on them

What Does It Take to Be a Social Worker?

Social work is a psychology-related field that offers both challenges and rewards. Learn about what it takes to become a social worker.