The Great Recession had left me bewildered, confused and not really knowing what to do with myself. I had lost my decent paying job and my savings along with it. It was in 2010 that I had lucked into a job with a local non-profit after being unemployed for quite some time. I loved the work even though my position was mostly relegated to office duties. It was during this time I decided I wanted to pursue an education in social work. This wasn’t going to be easy for a single mother with two children, but I was encouraged. I had never considered social work before as a career option and I didn’t know why as I have always enjoyed psychology and helping people. Suddenly I knew what I wanted to do when I “grew up” and I enrolled for the Spring 2011
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I was shuffled around a lot and saw a great deal of neglect and abuse during my young years. My mother was distant and angry, my father was kind and loving but had his own issues. I was left to my own devices way too young, I had to find my own way and like many young people without proper provision and direction I made a lot of mistakes. Not having adequate support and guidance when I was in school I would become easily discouraged and quit. As a nontraditional student, I have learned to stay focused and hang in there. It is not easy as a single parent with no support system whatsoever to go back to school. I wanted to give up so many times, but I pushed myself and I know now that I can achieve anything if I put my mind to it. Getting that first Associate’s Degree was the biggest accomplishment of my life. Once I reached that hurdle I know I could go further. I want to take my education as high as I can, to be an inspiration to anyone who has been told they can’t.
My work experience has been equally as fulfilling. I did my associates degree internship at Our Voice in Asheville, NC. They are a rape crisis center and I enjoyed my time with them. They offer free counseling, advocacy, and outreach. I went on to go through their rape advocacy training and it was then that I realized I wanted to work with victims of traumatic experiences. I feel like I have a lot to offer and getting the appropriate education will allow me to most effectively help those I hope to work
I was shuffled around a lot and saw a great deal of neglect and abuse during my young years. My mother was distant and angry, my father was kind and loving but had his own issues. I was left to my own devices way too young, I had to find my own way and like many young people without proper provision and direction I made a lot of mistakes. Not having adequate support and guidance when I was in school I would become easily discouraged and quit. As a nontraditional student, I have learned to stay focused and hang in there. It is not easy as a single parent with no support system whatsoever to go back to school. I wanted to give up so many times, but I pushed myself and I know now that I can achieve anything if I put my mind to it. Getting that first Associate’s Degree was the biggest accomplishment of my life. Once I reached that hurdle I know I could go further. I want to take my education as high as I can, to be an inspiration to anyone who has been told they can’t.
My work experience has been equally as fulfilling. I did my associates degree internship at Our Voice in Asheville, NC. They are a rape crisis center and I enjoyed my time with them. They offer free counseling, advocacy, and outreach. I went on to go through their rape advocacy training and it was then that I realized I wanted to work with victims of traumatic experiences. I feel like I have a lot to offer and getting the appropriate education will allow me to most effectively help those I hope to work