Patricia Rojas-Ungar. Photo courtesy of Rojas-Ungar and the National Journal.

Cheers to the National Journal for posting this article that shows how social work skills translate well into other professions.

Patricia Rojas-Ungar, 38, was born in Mexico, came to the United States at age four and later earned a master’s degree in social work. She ran an after-school program in Houston and later counseled men who had been convicted of domestic violence.

“Here I am, five-foot-one inches and probably 24 at the time,” she said of her work with these men. “And I thought, ‘Sure. I’ve always enjoyed challenges, and that sounds like a great idea.'”

Rojas-Ungar then decided she wanted to move to the policy side to address social issues.

She went to work for Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.), the first Mexican American elected to Congress, and soon gain experience on several Congressional committees.

Now Rojas-Ungar is vice president of government relations for the U.S. Travel Association, where she uses the experience she gained on immigration issues to press for issues such as easing visa restrictions for travelers from Brazil.

However, Rojas-Ungar still sticks to her social work roots.

“I will always have that social work mentality in the back of mind on everything I do,” she said.