Inside Social Work: Making a Difference in Your Community

 Social Worker

Cassie Pustilnik is the executive director of Youth Research Inc. YRI is "a responsive research, program, and policy organization that supports the New York Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)  

What’s it like to have a job where your whole mission is helping people? In this episode of How Much Can I Make?, Mirav chats with Cassie, a seasoned social worker with 20 years of experience making a real difference in people’s lives.

Cassie breaks down what a career in social work really looks like—hint: it’s way more than just working with kids and families. From mental health crisis response to connecting folks with vital public services, to working in hospitals and community programs, this field is as diverse as it is impactful.

Thinking about a career change into something more meaningful? Cassie shares candid career insights, the emotional ups and downs of the job, and what keeps her motivated after two decades in the field. If you’re driven by compassion and want a job that truly matters, this episode is a must-listen.

Resources
National Association of Social Workers - New York State Chapter
New York State Society for Clinical Social Work
Adelphi University - How to Become a Social Worker in New York

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"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

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About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.