Jessica Willard

I initially came to UNC Charlotte to become a clinical social worker (i.e., a therapist) but was drawn to macro social work and research as I progressed through the program. I knew I wanted to work with survivors of interpersonal violence, but my focus shifted from response-driven intervention to proactive violence prevention. Even though I am no longer in direct practice with clients, I still use my clinical skills in my work with communities and colleagues, and my social work practice experience is an important driver of my violence prevention research. My time in the MSW program also helped me to hone my problem-solving skills by applying critical, social justice-oriented perspectives to multi-faceted social issues. Social workers are a resourceful and resilient group!

I am where I am today because of my experience with the UNC Charlotte MSW program. The connections I made with SSW faculty have been incredibly generative, opening job opportunities and professional connections with researchers in the field of violence prevention (including my current PhD advisor!). Today, I’m fortunate to still work closely with colleagues at UNC Charlotte’s Violence Prevention Center.

As an MSW student, I completed two practicum placements working with survivors of gender-based violence. I was also super fortunate to work with Dr. Travis Hales and Dr. Annelise Mennicke as a research assistant on projects related to child trauma, opioid use, campus climate, and bystander intervention. These research assistantships extended learnings from my coursework and practicum placements and sparked my excitement for research as a vehicle for systemic change.

My absolute favorite UNC Charlotte memory was studying abroad in Chennai, India, with other social work and public health students and faculty. We gained exposure to an array of community-based organizations, and we learned about the important work they’re doing to address mental health, gender-based violence, substance use, disability rights, and environmental justice. A highlight was shadowing local social work students during their practicum placements and getting a first-hand look at their work with individuals, groups, and communities. (The food was also a big highlight!). In my experience, drawing on a global perspective in my work with diverse communities has been incredibly important, so I highly encourage students to consider studying abroad.

First, congratulations on pursuing graduate education at UNC Charlotte! I hope your experience is as rewarding as mine. There are a handful of suggestions that come to mind, that I’ll share in no particular order:

– Be curious, humble, and hard-working
– Your voice matters; don’t be afraid to use it
– Actively seek out perspectives that differ from your own
– Prioritize wellness; know when to step away from school and work
– Ask for help when you need it; this is a strength, not a weakness
– Use the resources available to you! (For example, the writing center, student support services, CAPs, workshops, library resources, etc.)
– Professors are people too; don’t be afraid to approach them – this is how I landed my research assistantships!
– It’s okay to switch gears and try something new! I’ve had various professional and educational experiences, and each has been an important stepping stone.