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Being at the threshold of middle age I was wondering what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Having been a single parent and workaholic, I was always interested in working with people. During my last year as an undergraduate, my Introduction to Social Work professor, an alumna of Smith, told me of her experiences here. Initially I was considering a doctoral program in psychology, but then I became intrigued with the masters level clinical social work program at Smith. Having the advantage of completing my academic coursework during the summer and then being able to focus solely on my internship during the fall, without the commitment to school, appealed to me. Additionally, the pass/fail grading system decreased my anxiety about having to compete with students half my age.
The classroom setting at Smith allows for learning and participation in an environment that is fully supportive of my learning goals. The luxury of living on campus without the hassle of cooking and shopping allows me to focus on my studies. The convenience of having access to library and dining services makes the program, as we say at Smith, “doable” for me. The beautiful campus has several locations that are serene and ideal for reading under a tree, bike riding to class, or just taking a walk alongside the pond to gather your thoughts. I feel like I am on vacation with the opportunity to learn at the same time.
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My first field placement was at Unitas, a grassroots agency located in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx, ten minutes from my home. I worked with families and children utilizing the systems and strengths-based perspective in addition to the prevention program designed to deter youngsters from the negative influences that can impact their lives. My supervisor, a Ph.D. graduate of Smith, was a valuable source of information and guidance. I am fortunate to have my second year placement at the Bronx Veterans Administration outpatient department. Being a veteran myself, I look forward to assisting Iraqi veterans and their transitioning towards civilian life. These internships will provide me with the clinical training necessary to become a competent therapist. I look forward to completing my final summer in 2009 and embarking on an exciting new career as a clinical social worker.
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