Class Year: Dec. 2023
Degree Program: MSW Online
Concentration: Community Practice for Social Change
Hometown: Cambridge, Ohio
Field Education Organization: Ohio Victim Witness Association in Columbus, Ohio
Describe your field education practicum experience and any work/projects you have done.
I started in direct practice at a children's advocacy center in Wheeling, West Virginia. I gained a lot of experience advocating for children who experienced abuse and neglect. When I transitioned to macro social work, I started interning at my current placement, which is a systems-based advocacy organization for victims of crime.
What are you doing in field that you’re planning to bring with you into your career?
I plan to utilize the advocacy skills that I've built throughout my interning to advance the rights of the LGBT+ community in Ohio.
What is something you have learned during your practicum that you have found to be the most helpful in your social work journey?
I have learned the importance of connecting with others, beyond just networking and professional relationships. You learn so much about the world through hearing how others experience it. Relationships help you feel more like you're truly a part of something and can enhance your feeling of purpose.
Who is someone you met during your field education that will change the way you practice?
I had a field supervisor, Joanne Lunceford, who changed my perspective on social work. She helped me better connect to the vast community of social workers and hone my passion into something tangible.