My Social Work Journey at Trent University Durham
Trent Durham offers a social work program that provides students with meaningful community placements and empowers them to strive to meet their goals
Why social work? As a high school graduate approaching my first year of undergraduate studies, my go to answer to this often-posed question was something like this: I want to help people. Being a life-long resident of the Durham Region, I chose Trent University Durham GTA because I was drawn to it’s small, friendly, and centrally-located campus. I definitely made the right choice – both with my university and my program. Social work at Trent Durham has had a profound effect on me, both personally and professionally.
The program is both exciting and challenging. As students, we learn to critically identify, analyze, and work within social structures that oppress others and perpetuate inequality. We discover not only what it means to help others in counselling-based settings, but how to advocate for transformative change where the voices of marginalized people are being heard. Faculty in the program are also very committed to supporting their students; they challenge the notion of traditional classroom dynamics with vibrant discussion and dialogue and always incorporate multiple ways of learning.
Trent’s social work program also provides students with an opportunity to build meaningful community connections through hands-on, diverse field placements – preparing us for success in our future careers. My recent placement with the AIDS Committee of Durham Region was an inspirational learning experience. I gained valuable knowledge about barriers facing my community, and was able to advocate for change alongside an incredible team who always sought to work with an anti-oppressive, client-centered approach.
No matter where your interests lie – Trent Durham has the tools to ensure you have a meaningful learning experience and establish lasting bonds with community partners.
Now, when people ask “why social work?”, my response sounds more like this: I want to empower others to meet their self-identified goals, while striving for greater social change. Though I may not know where social work will take me, I know that Trent University Durham GTA has left me with endless opportunities and inspiration to continue my studies in this field alongside peers, faculty and community partners in the Durham Region.
Learn more about the Social Work program at Trent University at trentu.ca/socialwork
Dorothy Koziorz is a third-year Bachelor of Social Work student at Trent University Durham GTA
This article originally appeared in Durham Metroland on April 11, 2018.