Student Stories
Amber Wonnick – BSW 2009
Almost four years ago I began the journey to obtain my bachelors of social work degree here at Booth College. This month I graduate with my BSW degree. During my studies at Booth I took a mixture of classes from the humanities and social and behavioural sciences laying a solid foundation in the liberal arts. My social work courses broadened my knowledge base with every class taken.
I have enjoyed the small class size. This has enabled me to really get to know my professors, which I firmly believe aided in my completion of successful assignments. I have often taken it for granted, however when you knock on a professor’s door and know they will be available to answer a question or chat for a bit, it creates a relationship that helps a student feel comfortable and able to ask for assistance when needed. Moreover, I didn’t feel that the social work professors, or other faculty for that matter, associated who I was simply with a student number. They all got to know me as a person and that interest they invested in me helped build self-confidence, encouraged personal growth, and assisted me in exploring my interests in social work. The faculty have guided me and supported me when I thought I was incapable and challenged me to grow as an individual and as a professional social worker.
I successfully completed my first practicum at Selkirk Mental Health Centre where I was able to work one-on-one with patients, advocate for consumers of mental health, work collaboratively with families, and function as part of a multi-disciplinary team. I completed my final practicum at Winnipeg Drug Treatment Court where I facilitated group counselling with men and women who were incarcerated due to criminal involvement with drugs. When I first began, I was petrified at the idea of counselling because I was afraid I wouldn’t be perfect at it. I amazed myself at how quickly I adapted, accepted that perfection does not come in the first three months of training, and I really enjoyed leading sessions on topics such as recovery, self esteem, boundaries and managing emotions. In both practicum placements, I was able to utilize knowledge and skills from every social work course I have taken.
Furthermore, the religion courses and professors, whom with dedication and passion put their energy into teaching students about the Christian faith have encouraged me to continue growing in my own personal faith, and have reminded me time and time again of the reason I want to enter the social work field; Just as Christ helped the poor, the lame, the outcast and the sick, I want to help them also.
I’ve secured employment as a Child Welfare worker and look forward to taking the knowledge and skills developed as a student and apply them in my day-to-day practice. As I enter my chosen career, my learning will continue and build upon the foundation laid over the past four years at Booth College.