Student Profile

Nicole Kempenich

Year in School: Junior
Hometown: Little Falls, MN

 

When and why did you decide to become a social work major?

I'm not sure how or when I decided that I wanted to become a social worker.  I think that it was just something I always knew that I wanted to do.  I thought about other majors, but in the back of my mind I knew that I was supposed to be a social worker.  I came in as a first year declared as a social work major and I haven't changed!  To me, social work isn't simply about helping others.  It's about empowering those in need and giving them the resources they need to help themselves.  Seeing people who struggle find the strength to overcome their obstacle is very rewarding.

What areas of social work do you see yourself getting a job in after you graduate?

Lately I have found myself being drawn to international social work, particularly with young women.  After graduation I would love to either work on human rights issues abroad or with refugees here in the U.S.  But that is just a start.  There are many fields to work in with a social work degree.  There are so many areas that I would like to work in right now, I can't foresee myself choosing only one and sticking with it my whole career.

Is it an advantage to be able to be a licensed social worker after graduating from CSB/SJU and also having to only go to school for one year after graduating with a social work degree to obtain your master's degree?

Absolutely.  Graduates from CSB/SJU can choose either to enter the work field as a licensed social worker or go directly on to graduate school.  Because we will already be licensed, it is a win-win situation.  I'm a theology minor as well, so what is especially beneficial for me is that some schools offer a dual master's program in both social work and theology.  That means I can get two degrees done at one time.  

What do you think are the most important qualities a person must have to be a good social worker?

Having a passion for social justice is the most important quality for a social worker to have.  If you don't seek justice, the resolve to help your clients will be difficult to find.  Compassion and understanding are also of importance.  Finding the ability to walk in another's shoes makes it possible to work best with clients.

What has been your best out of class activity related to social work?

This May I had the opportunity to travel to Kenya on a May Term.  The theme of the trip was peace, development, and human rights.  It was an incredible experience and sparked my passion for international social work.  In fact, next summer I plan on going back to Kenya to do an internship working with young women at the Girl's Empowerment Center.

For the past three years, I have also worked at Anna Marie's Alliance.  This job has been invaluable in helping me apply what I learn in the classroom to daily social work practice.