Stevie Muller with her mum and son
Stevie, Ngāti Awa, sadly lost her mum in her first semester of study at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University but wanted to experience social work in the end-of-life care space.
“While grief is a part of this field, there is also a lot of honour and peace that comes with knowing you have made the journey easier for someone. I think it’s pretty special that I am the only one in my course who wants to work in the palliative care space,” Stevie says.
Stevie has been surprised by the amount of self-reflection and personal growth she has experienced while completing the Bachelor of Social Work.
“If you’ve done the work you come out after four years a completely different person. For me that has meant building my emotional resilience, becoming more aware of my own values and how these influence me, and building skills to critically reflect on judgements I make.”
She says the theories, models, systems and processes she has learned in course work have related well to the practical components her degree.
“The importance of knowing what resources are available for the people you are advocating for is vital for a successful relationship, especially when empowering others. As social work is such a relationship-based profession, being able to work with a variety of people and navigating those relationships is key,” Stevie says.
Stevie was born and raised in Kaiaua-Whakatiwai in Coromandel with whakapapa to Whakatāne. She described some of the Māori models of working alongside tangata whaiora (service users) are things she does inherently as Māori in a Te Ao Māori space.
As a Māori distance student who lives in Auckland, she also regularly comes onto campus and studies in Te Rau Tauawhi Māori student space.
“You can feel the mauri and the mana in the space. It’s such a vibrant and awesome space to go to. The kōrero I’ve had with other Māori students and staff, the shared kai and activities have helped me feel embraced and welcome. It’s a space where I can be authentically me and Māori.”
Dr Paul'e Ruwhiu, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, a senior lecturer in Massey’s School of Social Work has provided invaluable knowledge and support.
“Not only her knowledge in social work, but her support as I grew more confident in who I am as wāhine Māori and understanding what I can bring to my career as a Māori social worker,” Stevie says.
Stevie advises first year students at Massey to get involved and make the most of the services that are available.
“I wish I had been more involved right from the start, it would’ve made my uni life much more easier and less lonely, especially as a distance student. Being able to do my degree being a solo māmā, losing my own mum, going through Covid-19 and being formally diagnosed with ADHD has had its challenges but I will be so proud once I graduate next year. Small steps are key,” she says.
Stevie is a recipient of a Te Rau Puawai scholarship. Te Rau Puawai aims to increase professionalism in the Māori mental health workforce and supports students who are studying towards a qualification in this field, including social work.
For her second placement for her Bachelor of Social Work, Stevie has joined the Student Voice Crew aiming to elevate student voice and showcase a window into student life. Find out more about the Student Voice Crew on MyHub
Does social work sound like the right path for you?