Student success: focus on the Social Service Worker program

Northwest Community College students have great stories to tell. Get to know the future of the Northwest's workforce now.

Lawrence Sankey, Social Service Worker (SSW) diploma student.

I was a fisherman from 1974 up until 1994, when I returned to school to complete my grades 11 and 12 at the North Coast Community Skills Centre in Prince Rupert. I graduated through Charles Hays Senior Secondary School in 1998, then enrolled at Northwest Community College in 1998 for my Business Administration diploma. I completed and obtained my certificate and diploma in April 2001 and then worked at Kitkatla band as the payroll clerk and as the band administrator for two years.

I returned to NWCC, and in 2005, I obtained my Associate of Arts Degree. But I wasn't finished studying. That fall, I enrolled in NWCC's SSW program, which started in Prince Rupert and completed at NWCC Terrace Campus.

Social work seemed the right fit. I was looking for a career that would keep me in the Northwest, which also offered job and material security; a career where I would have the freedom and autonomy to work unsupervised, where I would be rewarded for loyalty and reliability and where I could advance within the field.

I chose NWCC because of its great, hands-on instructors and I loved the flexibility the program offered. While working for TDCSS’s (Terrace & District Community Services Society) Choices program at nights, I was able to continue my education at the College. During the second year, after obtaining my SSW certificate, I was hired on in July 2010 at Kermode Friendship Society in Terrace as a family skills worker.

After I earn my SSW diploma, I plan to continue in this job with the hope of making a difference in children’s lives by helping those that require the help and assistance that is offered by Kermode Friendship Society Family Skills Program.

Finally, I credit my supporting family and friends for directing me on this path and giving me the inspiration to not only succeed, but to continue on in the social work field.

Laura Letourneau, Social Service Worker (SSW) certificate student.

Thanks to Northwest Community College's Social Service Worker program, I plan to stay and work in Terrace.

My journey to the SSW program is a long one. I attended Caledonia Senior Secondary School in Terrace and fell two credits short of graduating with my class in 1994. I had started working in the restaurant industry in high school, a job I kept doing for 20 years.

A mother of two girls, I was suddenly unemployed when the restaurant I had worked for closed. Sounds pretty dismal right? No, I immediately went after what I wanted so passionately, to be able to go back to school.

I dove right in and passed the CAT III English Assessment test and then earned the two credits I needed for my Grade 12!

I knew I wanted to attend Northwest Community College because I had heard they offered an excellent Social Service Work program under the instruction of Karen Chrysler.

Currently, I'm enrolled in the SSW certificate program – with plans to continue on to the diploma program – and have come to know that Karen is a remarkable instructor; I hope that I can take the skills that she has taught me and continue to advance them. All my instructors are very supportive and they take pride in helping us succeed. I appreciate the education they have received in order to provide superb instruction.

And it's not just the program that I enjoy. After almost 20 years away from the classroom, I didn't know what to expect of college life, but the College atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, with activities for students, and a supportive, helpful administration. You feel welcome here, everywhere from the office to the library. I love the librarians, they are so helpful when you are tackling papers and need material.

Right now, I am working with children in a Grade 3 class as part of one of my courses. I love working with children and hope to continue to do so – things may change by the time I get my diploma. It is hard to choose what exactly I want to do. I can say that in the end, the only thing that stands out in my mind is to be able to help, encourage, and at least touch one person's life. To be able to make a difference in someone's life is the reward.

When I enrolled in the SSW program, I did not really know what I was getting into. I learned within a very short time that there were endless possibilities for a career in this field. When one door closes, another opens. This one opened with the best of things yet to come!

GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING –
Please consider donating to the NWCC Social Service Worker Bursary. It's as easy as clicking this link! Fill in the one-page donation form and you'll be contacted to confirm your donation information and payment method. A valid income tax receipt will be issued to acknowledge contributions.