Title: Intake Counselor
Company: Endeavors
Location: TX/USA
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Human Services, The University of Arizona Global Campus (2023)
Career History: Intake Counselor, Endeavors (2024-Present); BPO, Edfinancial Services (2023-Present); Fraud Analyst, OnProcess Technology (2019-2023); Customer Service Representative, Prudential Financial, Inc. (2018-2023); Annuities Agent, Prudential Financial, Inc. (2018); Pharmacy Intern, Walgreens Co. (2018)
Bethany D. Ray, Intake Counselor at Endeavors, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of social work.
Initially immersed in the medical field, Ms. Ray served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2012 as a Preventive Medicine Specialist for the 47th Combat Support Hospital. In this capacity, she kept soldiers from contracting diseases and provided optimal patient care throughout all areas of the hospital, for which she was received several accolades, including five Army Commendation Medals. She subsequently became certified as a pharmacy technician and active as an intern at Walgreens. She then worked in insurance for several years, but felt disillusioned by the field as she found it more focused on profit and bureaucracy than on patient care, which is where her passion lay.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Ray reflected on her experiences and values, ultimately deciding to make a change—and a difference. She returned to school, earning a bachelor’s degree in health and human services from the University of Arizona Global Campus to become a social worker. Since 2024, she has excelled as an intake counselor for supportive services for veterans and their families, with a focus on homeless veterans, at Endeavors, a national civic and social services organization dedicated to helping the most vulnerable populations in communities. In this capacity, she assesses veterans and their families to determine eligibility for services and then enrolls them in the program that best fits their needs. She also refers individuals who are ineligible to other organizations that can provide them with the necessary assistance. Additionally, she collaborates closely with local shelters and food pantries.
Attributing her success to her faith and love for helping others, Ms. Ray advises those starting in social work to find the area that suits them best, as the field offers numerous options, such as working with children, veterans, hospitals, or nursing homes. She emphasized the importance of choosing work that inspires passion. Looking toward the future, she hopes to advance in her current position and continue her involvement with the El Paso Texas Women Veterans and Wounded Warrior Project.
In her spare time, Ms. Ray finds joy in hiking, free climbing, and volunteering for organizations such as the Rainbow Center and the Humane Society.