Nishtha Gupta’s Path to Pediatric Medical Social Work

The University of Maryland Department of Sociology recently caught up with alumna Nishtha Gupta, B.A. '24, to discuss her transition from graduation to the professional workforce. Nishtha is about to begin a position as a licensed social worker at a pediatric hospital, where she will apply the sociological frameworks she studied at UMD to support patients and their families.

Navigating Pediatric Healthcare and Social Barriers

In her new role, Nishtha will partner with children and their families to assess their social needs and identify ways to help them achieve their health goals. This work requires looking beyond clinical symptoms to understand the broader circumstances affecting a patient's well-being. Nishtha will collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

A key component of her responsibilities involves addressing non-medical barriers that families encounter during medical care, such as housing instability, financial challenges, limited social support, and mental health or substance use issues. For Nishtha, the opportunity to support families through these systemic hurdles was a primary motivator for entering the field.

"Being able to make a meaningful difference during some of the most difficult moments in a family's life is what drew me to medical social work."

Applying Sociology to Clinical Practice

Nishtha notes that her undergraduate education provided a practical foundation for her graduate studies and professional career. The analytical tools gained from studying sociology allowed her to connect structural issues with individual client experiences.

"The education I received as a sociology major has been foundational to my development as a social worker. Sociology taught me to think critically about systems, power, inequality, and the broader social forces that shape people's lives."

While at UMD, Nishtha focused her interest on the sociology of health and the social determinants of health. This specific academic background now informs her daily approach to patient care.

"This perspective is essential in social work because it has allowed me to better understand both the strengths and the challenges within my clients' circumstances rather than viewing them in isolation. …That knowledge has directly informed my path into medical social work and continues to shape the way I approach patient care."

Reflections on Her Undergraduate Experience

Thinking back over her time in the department, Nishtha emphasizes that a sociology degree offers versatile skill sets applicable to a wide range of career fields. She also highlights the guidance provided by the department's faculty and advisors during her undergraduate years.

"One thing I appreciated the most was the kindness and investment of the faculty and advisors. They are committed to helping students succeed and consistently provide opportunities for growth, exploration, and professional development."

For students considering the major, Nishtha suggests that the coursework offers a strong starting point for various professional paths, including non-profit work, research, law, healthcare, and public policy.

"Whether your goal is non-profit work, research, law, healthcare, public policy, or another field, a sociology degree provides a strong foundation and helps you discover the role you want to play in creating positive change."

The Department of Sociology congratulates Nishtha on her new position and wishes her well as she begins her career in medical social work!