Meet Carola Strozzi, Current MSW Student
Current City: Laguna Beach, CA
Anticipated Graduation: 2025
Degree & Campus: MSW Online
What made you decide to pursue a degree in social work?
What made me pursue a degree in social work was both my brother's experience with addiction and my experience with equine-assisted services. I have always had a passion for helping others as well as for animals, and I have seen how animals can really help others understand what they're going through while also finding comfort in the animal. I saw how social workers helped my brother and I saw how animals could help people at my job, and I wanted to figure out a way to combine my two passions one day in the future and help people with animal-assisted therapies.
What made you choose the Garland School of Social Work?
What made me choose the Garland School of Social Work was the appeal of the online classes with live sessions. I really like the idea that school online could have such a structure similar to a residential program where you have to attend class. I also really liked how passionate everyone was throughout the whole process of just looking for information over the phone and the support I got from the admissions team.
What has been your favorite part or memory during your time at the Garland School of Social Work?
My favorite part about my time at GSSW would be the three really good friends that I have made while on my journey here. I never in my life thought that an online school could allow me to truly become friends with people that are far away, but I have been blessed to meet these wonderful people who support me, lift me up when I am feeling down, and who I can laugh with over the phone or on our own virtual hangout nights. This experience brought me three of my best friends and I cannot wait to finally meet them all together in person this coming April.
What advice would you give to someone who may be considering a career in social work?
The advice that I would give to those considering a career I social work would be that it is hard work and sometimes it may feel like you aren't doing things on some big scale to help people. However, if you take a step back and notice how you at times help change the life on an individual and make a world of difference to them. You matter and you make a difference.
Any parting thoughts?
This has been a wonderful experience and I feel like I keep growing and connecting with classmates each and every day. My cohort has been wonderful and I look forward to having each and everyone one of them as colleagues in the near future.