Broward County Schools’ Social Work Intern of the Year
Thursday, Mar 14, 2019
Congratulations to our Master of Social Work, Jennifer Karson, who was just named Broward County Schools’ Social Work Intern of the Year! We sat down with Jennifer for a quick Q&A to see what she has planned once she graduates with her MSW degree in May.
Q: What does it mean to you to be awarded this honor?
A: Receiving this award is such an honor for me, as I believe a social worker’s role in a school is critical to the growth and achievement of the students and their families. Throughout my internship with Broward County Public schools, I have been fortunate enough to work in all levels of the school setting, including individual and group counseling with students, community outreach for families in need, and working with the school’s administrative staff and teachers on ways to increase social-emotional learning throughout the school. This award is very meaningful to me because of how meaningful this internship has been to both my professional and personal development.
Q: What role has the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work at FAU played in your journey thus far?
A: The Sandler School of Social Work could not have been a better choice for me to receive my Masters in Social Work. It has provided me with the opportunities necessary to challenge and support my professional and personal development. Each professor and member of the Sandler School of Social Work ensure that each student is receiving the necessary clinical knowledge and practice experience to move forward and start a career after graduation as a competent and caring social worker.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: After graduation, I plan on continuing to work with youth in an educational/school setting and work toward gaining my licensure.
Q: What would you ultimately like to become in your social work career?
A: I ultimately would like to be a School Social Worker, but I also have a passion for advocacy and policy development so I am hoping to be in a position in the future that includes the two.
Q: What advice do you have for incoming freshmen who are considering studying social work?
A: Really explore all the opportunities that come your way so you can find what you are truly passionate about. And once you find what that is, take the initiative and immerse yourself in the field of social work through practice and coursework, and take advantage of everything this field has to offer!
We look forward to watching Jennifer’s exciting future continue to unfold!