What inspired your interest in social work?

During a period when I felt lost in life, I met a friend who helped me and changed my outlook. This mentor, who has a degree in Social Work from SIM University (UniSIM), spoke to me about the social service sector and helped me discover a profession where I could help others lead better lives.

I decided to pursue a degree in social work as it would equip me with relevant knowledge and skills to help people by using a holistic approach.

Why UniSIM?

I enrolled in UniSIM because the part-time schedule lets me continue doing volunteer work. I volunteer with non-profit organisation Scripture Union and mentor a group of Primary 5 boys weekly. I help to build their character and teach them life skills. I am also a facilitator with 3 Sparks in the weekly personal development programme for a group of Secondary 2 boys. I am also a youth leader in my church where I mentor youths.

Volunteer work lets me gain practical experience while I study at UniSIM. It gives me a platform to apply what I learn in class for a richer experience.

What do you like about the UniSIM Scholarship?

I was attracted to the UniSIM Scholarship because it doesn’t bind me to any organisation. It offers me the freedom to choose which organisation I want to work in after I graduate. Thanks to the scholarship, I don’t have to worry about my finances and I can focus on my studies.

Tell us about UniSIM’s social work programme.

The Bachelor of Social Work covers a range of topics, including human life span development and psychology. It also comprises modules that are specific to social work, such as working with individuals and families.

One of the modules that I found interesting was Life Span Development. We learned about the different aspects of development (physical, cognitive and socioemotional) at different stages of life.

I also like the Working With Groups module where we get to learn about the different group dynamics and how we can use different leadership skills to enhance the group experience or address issues. I found it practical because I get to see and apply the concepts taught in the different group settings that I am part of.

How do lecturers keep students engaged?

Many of our lecturers are current practitioners in the field. They share relevant and updated information and case studies to enhance our learning. They also use role-play to help us better understand the concepts and apply them to real-life scenarios.

Are there any educational opportunities outside of class?

The Social Service Institute offers short courses to enhance our learning. I’ve taken quite a number of them such as mentoring youths effectively and helping youths cope with anger. For social work, UniSIM students need to complete a compulsory internship in our third year of studies, and I look forward to this hands-on learning experience.

Has your degree enhanced your personal development?

Yes, I have become less judgmental and more empathetic towards people as I now understand that there are many factors that might contribute to people’s issues. This has helped improve my relationship with my mum. My course has helped me to see and understand her as a person based on her history, environment and life stage.

How has your degree benefitted your volunteer work so far?

Since starting my course in July 2013, I have gained many counselling-related skills, which have helped me to relate to youth with more empathy. I am able to use the skills learnt in school, such as paraphrasing and reflection of feelings, to help them feel understood, which gets them to open up and share more.

In general, my degree will equip me with the essential knowledge and skills to be a competent people-helper. It will also open up more career opportunities for me, especially with the increasing demand of social workers in the social service sector. After graduation, I intend to pursue a career in social work that focuses on helping youth.

• Scholarship: UniSIM Scholarship

• Course: Bachelor of Social Work

• Institution: SIM University

This article is published in The First Degree, a publication of MediaCorp Press.