BSW Student Spotlight: Manuel Turk

Manuel Turk (he/him) recognizes strength when he sees it. Turk, a non-traditional student and senior in the Bachelor of Social Work program, is also a veteran. 

He sees the common ground between veterans and social workers, and that inspired him to get a social work education after 12 years of military service. 

“I see social workers and veterans have some similarities, particularly in being resilient,” Turk said. “There are a lot of things we have to deal with, and we don’t always have all the resources, so we do the best that we can with what we have available to us.”

Turk made himself available when he decided to join the military after the events of Sept. 11, 2001. He felt a sense of patriotism – an eagerness and willingness to serve. He served with the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, starting as an infantryman and ending as an electrician.

Turk received his health care through Veterans Affairs, and that planted the seed for a social work career. 

“In working with the social workers there I saw that I wasn’t represented,” Turk said. “The social workers I worked with had no military service and weren’t veterans. I felt in sharing my stories and the things I saw and dealt with – that kind of fell on deaf ears.”

Turk wants to be a social worker who understands veterans. As a senior in the BSW program, Turk spends 16 hours a week completing a practicum – or social work internship. His practicum placement at St. Michael’s Veterans Center in Kansas City matches his future career goal of working with an organization to provide services to veterans.

When he decided to go back to college and pursue social work, Turk started at Kansas City Kansas Community College. At a college career fair, he met recruitment coordinator Rocky Wallace. 

Turk was already interested in social work and Wallace helped with the decision, he said. Since then, the BSW program at the KU School of Social Welfare continues to impress him. 

“My experience as a non-traditional experience has been very positive,” Turk said. “The professors are willing to work with you on any issue that may come up. Overall, it’s been great. My classmates have been awesome.” 

Turk urges social work students to keep an open mind about where the program might take them. 

“Take it all in,” Turk said. “You get a little bit of everything.”

Video edited by Katie Schowe.