Travel Social Worker Recognized for Positive Approach
Meet Zykia D., Med Travelers’ February Traveler of the Month
Who is Med Traveler’s latest Traveler of the Month for the Schools Division?
She’s Zykia D., a traveling school social worker who’s currently on assignment for the 2022-2023 school year in Fresno, California.
Nominated by Erin C., a Senior Recruiting Consultant at Med Travelers, Zykia has been lauded for her flexibility and resilience, among other things. She is working between multiple school sites within her current district, supporting students in their special education department. Her enthusiasm and positive approach to her job are widely recognized.
“Zykia brings such an upbeat, outgoing, and fun attitude at all times. She is such a pleasure to work with and to just know as an individual,” Erin said.
California Dreamin’
Before arriving for her Fresno assignment last summer, Zykia had never even been to California.
You see, Zykia is a Michigander. She grew up in Detroit, she went to college in Michigan, and even her first assignment as a traveling school social worker was in Michigan. She had a terrific first experience, working in three elementary schools in a district just outside Lansing.
But last year, Zykia decided she was ready for something new—somewhere beyond Michigan. She’s not married, she doesn’t have kids, and she was eager to travel somewhere completely new to her. Perhaps someplace with palm trees.
Essentially, she was California dreamin’. So she talked to her recruiter, Erin C., about some assignment ideas.
“I wanted to experience something outside of my comfort zone,” said Zykia.
When she got to Fresno, she was ready to kick off the new school year with a bang, but she encountered an unexpected obstacle. It took a few weeks longer than anticipated to get her credentialing all straightened out through the state so she could work in California, which was stressful, especially when you consider she had just moved all the way across the country.
Erin praised Zykia for remaining calm and levelheaded throughout the entire process, and for maintaining her passion for her profession.
Making the Most of Travel Social Work Assignments
If you happen to be in the Fresno area this year, keep an eye out for Zykia.
She’s making the most of the chance to explore the area and try new things while she’s on assignment. So, you might see her out walking her beloved dog, Kolby, a terrier mix, who travels with her. Or on a weekend, you might bump into Zykia at a food festival or a restaurant, or a pottery-painting class. She recently discovered a hip-hop dance class at a local studio, and she’s already looking forward to the next class. (One of her tips for fellow travelers: Eventbrite is a great resource for finding fun things to do when you’re visiting a new place.)
Zykia is not afraid to go on a solo adventure, but sometimes she meets up with other AMN travel social workers who are also eager to explore California while on assignment. It’s been a lot of fun to make new friends who are also traveling, she said. In fact, they’ve set up a group chat so they can stay in touch and make plans easily.
Words of Advice for Allied Travel Candidates
The healthcare travel experience has been largely positive for Zykia, who is relishing the opportunity for personal growth. She admits that it has been challenging to push herself out of her comfort zone, but considers it well worth the effort.
“I have been learning a lot about myself,” she said. “That’s been my biggest thing: working on me. I’m working on my health, I’ve been going to the gym, and I’m trying new things.”
For anyone considering the allied travel experience, she is eager to impart these two pieces of advice: “Go for it,” and “keep an open mind.” Stepping beyond your own comfort zone to live and work in a new place can bring many personal and professional benefits, including some you might not expect.
Zykia’s not yet sure where she’ll travel next after her current assignment wraps up at the end of the school year. But she definitely plans to travel again. And she’s confident that her recruiter will help her find another terrific assignment. Maybe another city in California, or another new-to-her state. “It’s all up in the air right now,” she said.
Considering becoming an allied traveler? Med Travelers, an AMN Healthcare company, has thousands of assignments across the U.S., and an experienced team to help you every step of the way.