Abigail Ballew, BSW '15, is an MSW Candidate, Virginia Commonwealth University.
I chose the Department of Social Work for my undergraduate degree because of the wide variety of opportunities and hands-on learning experiences that the program offers. Through the Department of Social Work, I participated for three consecutive years in a state-wide undergraduate social work conference and served as an officer for Mason's Social Work Student Association my junior and senior years. I also worked alongside a social work faculty mentor as an Undergraduate Research Scholar to identify housing vulnerabilities for survivors of sex trafficking in the Philippines. The faculty and staff provided individual attention to students, equipping us with leadership skills that enhanced our educational journeys and prepared us to enter the workforce as confident professional social workers. After working in adoption for a year following graduation, I am currently enrolled in an Advanced Standing MSW program, now working with the refugee population on a macro level. Mason's BSW program exposed me to international social work and greatly enhanced my cross-cultural skills, allowing me to now make a meaningful contribution to refugees from all over the world. The program provided me with tools needed to succeed in my pursuit of international social work, and I strongly recommend this outstanding program to anyone desiring to create positive social change.