Aleice Harmon is a senior BSW student from Harrisville, RI who is excited to graduate in May! Anna Maria’s Bachelors in Social Work has provided Aleice with the clinical background she needs to help others while also giving her real-world experience with opportunities such as her current internship with Seven Hills Rhode Island. Learn more about why Aleice is passionate about a career in social work.  

Why do you want to be a social worker? 

I want to be a social worker because I’ve always wanted to advocate for those who may not feel like they have a voice. I’ve always wanted to work in a helping profession, where I know I can help improve someone’s life, especially children. Working in a daycare for the past three years has taught me so many different aspects of learning, and being there to support and educate children has always been a passion of mine.  

Where is your internship and what are you doing there? 

I am currently doing my internship with Seven Hills Rhode Island- Early Intervention. Seven Hills Foundation is a comprehensive health and human services organization supporting children and adults. My role as an intern is that I partake in many things. At Seven Hills, I work with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals including: behavior-health clinicians along with speech, physical, occupational, and music therapists. I conduct daily observations and I help co-facilitate socialization groups for children and their families. Additionally, I do home and daycare visits assisting the children in play skills and developmental goals.  

What is the most important lesson you have learned during your time in the BSW program? 

During my time in the BSW program, one of the most important lessons I learned was to center myself and the work that I do with core values. Knowing my own core values helps me communicate in more compassionate ways with clients. The social work values of competence, self-determination, confidentiality, human dignity, and worth are all values that help ground and shape the work that I do.  

What are your goals for the future?  

My goal for the future is to go to graduate school to get my MSW so I can become an early intervention specialist. I want to be able to support young children from birth through kindergarten that may have cognitive or physical delays. Being able to help young ones develop the skills that they need to live happy and healthy lives is my goal.  

As a senior, what advice would you give to future BSW students?  

As a senior, I would give one piece of advice to future BSW students, and that is to really take the time to find and explore the different areas of social work that speak to you. In social work there are so many rewarding careers where you get to be the person to step in and help. Find one that you are truly passionate about!