| |
Kim Shaw admits she
wasn’t ready for college the first go-around.
“It wasn’t the right time for me to be in school,” recalls the
Calhoun native, who attended Kennesaw State University, Dalton
State, and the University of Delaware before coming back to
Dalton State at the age of 30.
Now, she’s not only in school, but she’s thriving, excelling
both inside and outside the classroom.
“I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to do something in the
social services,” she says, “and when I came back to Calhoun
(from Delaware) I learned about the social work program at
Dalton State from a neighbor who was enrolled in the program.
“When I called to get information about the BSW, I ended up
registering for classes that same day.”
In the short time since she’s been back, Shaw has become
involved in many campus activities. Serving as President of the
Social Work Club, Shaw was instrumental in getting club members
involved with the Living Gift Market last fall, held in
conjunction with an area church. She was also instrumental in
organizing the club’s annual Box-a-thon, a fund-raiser for the
homeless that netted $2,600 this spring and involved 60
volunteers. |
 |
In her Social Work
classes, she has participated in a Cultural Competency Training
Program and has visited many local social service providers.
And after attending the United States Social Forum last summer
in Atlanta, Shaw initiated and organized a grass-roots campus
anti-war group called Students United for Peace, which had its
first candlelight vigil last fall.
This summer, she will participate in the BSW’s cultural
immersion program when she travels to Vera Cruz, Mexico, to gain
first-hand experience with Latino culture. Staying with a host
family, Shaw will attend Spanish classes daily and will visit
social service agencies within the city to learn how they
operate in Mexico.
“I have really enjoyed the Spanish emphasis within the Social
Work program,” she says. “And I am really pleased with my
decision to come to Dalton State. I’ve had opportunities here,
like the trip to Vera Cruz,that I wouldn’t have had at a larger
school.”
One of the opportunities she has enjoyed in this program is the
junior/senior practicums that introduce students to the
different career options available for social workers.
During her junior year, spring semester 2008, Shaw’s practicum
was with Whitfield County’s Department of Family and Children
Services (DFCS).
“We had spent a lot of time in class learning theory in the
fall, so I think we were all eager to get out in the field and
get a little bit of experience,” she says.
Bolstered by her successful experience with DFCS, Shaw decided
to apply for a Title-IV-E Child Welfare Grant, which would
provide funds to cover the cost of her tuition, books, and a
monthly stipend. In exchange, she would agree to work for DFCS
for an equivalent amount of time upon graduation.
This fall, her senior year, Shaw expects to spend about 20 hours
per week with another social service agency, possibly the Gordon
County DFCS field office close to her home.
“Dr. (Lynne) Cabe (Field Work Supervisor) works very hard on our
placements to keep us close to home so we don’t have to drive
too far.”
Her senior practicum contains a requirement for a year-long
research paper that focuses on a particular aspect of the agency
she’ll work with.
When she graduates in the spring of 2009, Shaw hopes gain
experience in the field, initially with DFCS, but eventually
with the Veterans Administration and mental health services.
“Before my uncle’s death, he was in the care of the VA, and I
was able to have a lot of interaction with his social worker. I
really see a great need in that area for mental health
professionals, and that need’s only increasing with time. I’d
like to be involved in some way.”
Eventually, Shaw plans to earn her Master of Social Work degree
(MSW) and envisions becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
one day, a goal that can be reached by undergoing five years of
supervision in a social work setting.
“This program has been wonderful for me,” she says. “The faculty
have been mentors to me and have encouraged me to grow
academically and personally. While you’re here, they want you to
become not only a better student, but also a better person.”
|
|
