Tawanna Davis
I was inspired to choose Herzing University because I wanted a program that would allow me to continue my education while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.
Herzing’s online Master of Social Work program provided the flexibility I needed without requiring me to put my personal or professional goals on hold. Choosing Herzing allowed me to grow personally and professionally while preparing for my goal of becoming a licensed social worker and advancing into leadership roles within the social work profession.
I chose to pursue a Master of Social Work because I have always been passionate about helping individuals and families overcome challenges, access resources, and improve their quality of life. My personal experiences and professional work allowed me to see how mental health concerns, limited resources, family circumstances, and gaps in support can affect every area of a person’s life. These experiences inspired me to pursue a career where I could provide meaningful support and advocate for people who may feel unheard or overlooked.
Several individuals at Herzing University played an important role in my journey, including professors such as Dr. Karon Spriggs-Bethea and Dr. Hyacinth McKee. They were wonderful, supportive, and always willing to provide guidance, constructive feedback, and encouragement. Their support helped me strengthen my knowledge, critical-thinking abilities, and confidence as a future social worker.
My academic advisor, Heather Gilvary-Hamad, was also extremely helpful in explaining program requirements and ensuring that I remained on track toward graduation. My practicum instructors and supervisors helped me connect the knowledge I gained in the classroom to real-world social work practice. They encouraged me to strengthen my documentation, make ethical decisions, and trust my developing professional judgment when working with clients.
My classmates also contributed to my experience by sharing different perspectives, personal experiences, and encouragement during challenging moments. Each of these individuals supported my personal and professional growth and played a meaningful role in helping me successfully complete my MSW journey.
One of the greatest challenges I faced while earning my degree was balancing school, work, practicum, and family responsibilities while also experiencing unexpected personal hardships.
During my practicum, my family and I went through a house fire, and I also experienced a major leg injury that required surgery and a lengthy recovery. Managing appointments, limited mobility, practicum responsibilities, assignments, and family needs sometimes felt overwhelming. However, I refused to allow those circumstances to stop me from reaching my goal.
I became more organized and accepted support from my family when needed. I also reminded myself that difficult circumstances were temporary and that completing my degree would create new opportunities for my future. These experiences strengthened my perseverance, time-management skills, and ability to remain focused under pressure. Overcoming these challenges showed me that I am more resilient than I realized and made earning my MSW even more meaningful.
My practicum experiences were the most valuable part of preparing for my career because they allowed me to apply what I learned in the classroom to real situations. Through more than 900 hours of practicum experience, I worked directly with children, adolescents, adults, and families experiencing mental health, behavior, and family-related challenges. I gained hands-on experience conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, providing individual and family therapy, documenting services, responding to safety concerns, and collaborating with caregivers and other professionals. Supervision also taught me how to think critically, make ethical decisions, accept constructive feedback, and recognize when consultation is needed.
Something that surprised me while earning my degree was discovering how broad the social work profession truly is. Before beginning the program, I mainly thought about social work in terms of direct client services. Throughout my studies and practicum, I learned that social workers can also work in leadership, advocacy, policy, program development, research, health care, schools, and many other settings.
I was also surprised by how much I grew personally and professionally. At the beginning of the program, I sometimes questioned whether I had enough knowledge or confidence to make sound clinical decisions. Through coursework, supervision, and more than 900 hours of practicum experience, I became more confident in my ability to assess clients’ needs, develop treatment plans, provide appropriate interventions, document services, and respond to challenging situations.
I also learned how resilient I am. Continuing my education while balancing work, family, a house fire, and recovery from a major injury showed me that I can remain focused and accomplish my goals even under difficult circumstances.
After graduation, I plan to continue growing professionally and work toward obtaining my LMSW license. I have accepted a Senior Area Manager position where I will oversee five to six residential homes and support the house managers and staff responsible for serving individuals with developmental disabilities. This opportunity will allow me to combine my social work education, direct-care experience, and interest in leadership. I am excited to use the knowledge and skills I gained during my MSW program to advocate for clients, support employees, improve service quality, and help programs operate effectively. I also plan to continue building my clinical and case-management experience.
My long-term goal is to advance into higher leadership positions and eventually operate a program of my own that helps individuals and families access the care, resources, and advocacy they need.
My advice to students pursuing a degree in social work is to remain focused on why they started and understand that growth takes time. You will not have every answer, especially when you first begin working with clients, and that is okay. Ask questions, use supervision, remain open to constructive feedback, and take advantage of every opportunity to learn. Social work requires knowledge, but it also requires self-awareness, patience, empathy, strong boundaries, and sound professional judgment.
I would also encourage students to stay organized and avoid waiting until the last minute to complete assignments or documentation. Balancing coursework, practicum, employment, and family responsibilities can become overwhelming, so planning ahead is important. Take care of your mental and physical health, and do not be afraid to ask for support when you need it.
Most importantly, believe in yourself and remain flexible when unexpected challenges occur. My journey included a house fire and a major injury during practicum, but I continued moving forward. Difficult circumstances may temporarily change your plans, but they do not have to prevent you from reaching your goal.
I am grateful for my experience at Herzing University and for everyone who supported me throughout my journey. The flexibility of the online MSW program allowed me to continue pursuing my goals while balancing work, family, practicum, and unexpected personal challenges. My professors, advisors, practicum instructors, supervisors, and classmates each contributed to my growth in meaningful ways. Herzing helped me develop the knowledge, confidence, practical experience, and professional judgment needed to enter the next stage of my social work career.
Earning my MSW has been both challenging and rewarding, and I am proud to be a Herzing University graduate.
