Gianna Lorbeck

UNIV 392

8/11/17

Future Plans

Working as a College Coach this summer gave me the opportunity to discover new paths for my
future. Serving students from all over the world and advocating for their opportunities is something I
can see myself doing for the rest of my life. As an International Studies major with a minor in Advocacy
and Social Change, this summer job served as a conformation that I am on the right path. Before this
summer, I was still unsure about future career goals and was becoming anxious as I am going into my
junior year with a questionable life plan. Post-summer, I can say for the first time that I now have a
specific field I want to go into: social work.

After undergrad, I plan on pursuing a dual masters and PhD program in social work. Along with
my bachelors, these degrees with prepare me for the non-profit/ non-governmental organizations I
want to work for. For my graduate degrees, one of the areas I want to focus on is public policy. Public
policy social workers typically work in non-profit organizations promoting social change through
education, legislation, etc. They can also engage in international policy work through non-governmental
organizations. Public policy social workers focus on policy analysis on issues such as pubic housing
development or public/social service programs. They focus on the outcomes of enacted changes and
how those outcomes relate to the needs of the community. I plan on going into this type of work to
focus on education reform, highlighting the needs and access to resources for marginalized or
minoritized communities. In order to go into a career that involves administrative work and program
coordination such as this one, I think it is important to first work hands-on with the communities I want
to serve.

As I continue my last two years at Loyola, it is time for me to start being more intentional about
the jobs and opportunities that will advance my future career goals. Being a College Coach was that first
step. Having this opportunity gave be the ability to connect with students from all backgrounds and
identities. It showed me the importance of serving vulnerable populations of students such as the First-
Star Scholars, to increase college access and person of color representation within the college setting.
Ive realized that learning is an on-going process and in order to affect change, one must continue their
growth by learning from the populations they serve. As I take on future opportunities surrounding youth
initiatives, the skills I have developed this summer will assist me in pursuing the issues I am passionate
about. As a public policy social worker, I will devote my efforts to equal access to education and will
make every path I take a learning experience.