Emily Magyar Beckers, 32, graduated from Inver Hills Community College in 2006 with her Human Services Worker Associate of Science (A.S.) degree. A Park High School graduate, Class of 2002, Emily continued her education after Inver Hills, earning a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) from St. Catherine’s University.
“I want to make a positive impact in people’s lives,” said Emily, who works as a social work care coordinator for Fairview Health Services. “The human services field is very broad and there is always room to grow professionally. The work can be challenging, but it is extremely rewarding.”
As a social work care coordinator based in Edina, Emily is responsible for working with 14,000 UCare outpatient seniors at 40 Fairview clinics across Minnesota. She stays in touch with Fairview clients over the phone to confirm they have access to the health care resources they need.
“I make sure our patients are living in a safe home environment and are communicating with their health care providers,” said Emily, who also provides assistance with nursing home placement.
Three words that describe you as a person: CARING. HONEST. FUN.
In November 2015, Emily started Help for Homeless Women, a program that gives homeless women access to feminine hygiene supplies, socks, bras, underwear and other essentials.
“I realized there were no formal programs in the Twin Cities that focused on women’s needs and decided to take action,” she said. “I currently run the program out of my home and car in my free time. I am working on obtaining nonprofit status in 2017.”
2006 Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Trip
Emily doing relief work in New Orleans in 2006
Emily was vice president of the Inver Hills student club, VIBE, that collaborated with with Human Services faculty, Tom Reis and Cheryl Redinger, to plan the inaugural Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Trip to New Orleans only months after the Category 3 hurricane engulfed the Gulf of Mexico and blasted the coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in late August 2005.
Katrina brought sustained winds of 100–140 miles per hour and a storm surge that collapsed defective levee systems in New Orleans, killing an estimated 1,464 people in Louisiana alone.
“Going on that initial Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Trip was such a special experience,” Emily said. “Knowing the trip has continued for eleven years as an annual event is amazing!”
Balancing occupational success with personal growth can be challenging, especially in the social work profession.
“Becoming self-aware of my own needs, challenges and deficits has been a long process—and I am still learning,” Emily said. “Self-care and appropriate work/life balance are important in my field, and I have had to do a lot of work to be aware of my needs as the need arises. It is so easy to look back at a situation and think, ‘Oh, it’s so obvious. I should have known or should have done…'”
Tom Reis, Human Services faculty at Inver Hills, understands the demands and challenges inherent on career paths focused on meeting human needs in an increasingly complex world. He is never happier than when his program graduates continue their education and go on to find success in their chosen field.
“Emily was an excellent student,” Tom said. “I knew her horizon was much bigger than Inver and I’m glad she furthered her education at St. Kate’s. I knew she would represent herself, our program and the field with distinction—and she has done all of that. I’m very proud of her!”
Criterion Four Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
4.A.6. The institution evaluates the success of its graduates. The institution assures that the degree or certificate programs it represents as preparation for advanced study or employment accomplish these purposes. For all programs, the institution looks to indicators it deems appropriate to its mission, such as employment rates, admission rates to advanced degree programs, and participation rates in fellowships, internships, and special programs.
Emily is a triplet and has one identical sister, Shannon, and one fraternal brother, Kyle. In the summer of 2016, she completed the Tough Mudder, a hardcore obstacle mud run, with her husband, Joe, who operates a printing press at Thomson Reuters in Eagan, Minnesota.
“It was fun to participate in such a physically and mentally challenging event with him,” she said, adding that she is a regular participant in the Polar Plunge. This year, she is in charge of fundraising as captain of her Polar Plunge team.
Originally from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Emily resides with Joe in St. Paul with their two “adorable” alley cats, Zoe and Allie. She enjoys baking, cooking, camping and spoiling her cats. Her parents and siblings live locally, and Emily and Joe enjoy spending time with them often.
Emily Beckers Q & A
How would describe the Human Services program at Inver?
I would describe it as a perfect glimpse into the human services field. The program introduced me to concepts that I would later learn about in my social work program. I had the knowledge and experience from the Human Services program to excel in my four-year degree. The program also introduced me to different areas of study and work in the field. The instructors are caring and fun and really helped drive me into this field.
What would you tell someone who’s thinking about going into human services? Take the intro class to find out more about the field and types of careers you could have. Shadow or interview multiple professionals in the field. Each area of practice is different and you are bound to find something you are passionate about.
What person has influenced you the most in life? There are so many people who have influenced me that it is hard to say who was the most influential. I would have to say the most influential is my mother. She raised three kids by herself and worked in a physically demanding career, but I never heard her complain. She taught me compassion and responsibility and that has greatly impacted who I am today, personally and professionally.
Emily Beckers | 21 Answers
Favorite season:Fall
Favorite natural feature (e.g., waterfalls, oceans, mountains, etc.):I enjoy looking at the sky on a nice sunny day!
Favorite sport or physical activity:Biking
Your national bird if you could have one:Pink flamingo—they’re pretty and awkward at the same time.
Place you would most like to visit:Ireland or Hungary (grandparents’ birthplaces)
Favorite holiday:Halloween
Your national mammal if you could have one:Cats for sure!
Favorite actor or actress:I can never remember names of actors or musicians so I have given up on having a favorite.
Favorite band or performing artist:I recently saw Red Hot Chili Peppers in concert and I think they are pretty darn awesome for being around for 30 years!
Your personal motto if you had to have one:“Fake it till you make it!”
Coolest thing in the world:Recent international support for women’s rights (21JAN17)
Scariest thing in the world:Snakes and large spiders
Favorite all-time TV show:Friends
Favorite all-time movie:Dumbo. I cry every time.
One thing you most want to accomplish in life:Have a positive impact on the lives of others.
Most precious material possession:My grandmother’s wedding rings; I wear her wedding band along with my wedding rings every day.
First thing you would buy if you won the $1.5 billion Powerball:A new Land Rover
Dream occupation:Stay-at-home cat mom (the pay sucks)
Person you would most like to meet:Jane Addams (Women’s suffrage activist)
Skill you would most like to learn and master:Fluency in Spanish and sign language
Humankind’s greatest challenge:Selfishness
For more information about Human Services at Inver Hills, including earning a 60-credit Human Services Worker A.S. degree or a 30-credit Human Services Work certificate, contact:
Cheryl Redinger
Human Services Faculty
651-450-3306 Tom Reis Human Services Faculty
651-450-3717
Alumni Connection
Favorite season: Fall
Favorite band or performing artist: I recently saw Red Hot Chili Peppers in concert and I think they are pretty darn awesome for being around for 30 years!
First thing you would buy if you won the $1.5 billion Powerball: A new Land Rover
