Lived experiences translate to Social Work career for UND alum

Lived experiences drew Amy Ingersoll to the field of Social Work. She graduated with her master’s in Social Work (M.S.W.) from UND in December 2021.

What first drew you to the field of Social Work?

Social work interested me because I have always felt an interconnection with people, and those relationships compelled me to help those who may be struggling. My lived experiences provided me with a broad understanding of life’s challenges. My myriad of employment choices parallel social work in so many ways. The social work profession offers a broad area of practice in which to help people, so the choice to pursue my professional social work education seemed the right choice.

How was UND’s advanced generalist curriculum able to prepare you? What opportunities did being at UND provide?

UND’s M.S.W. program offered so many leadership opportunities that I never expected as a non-traditional, distance student. Of course, there were classroom presentations and group projects; however, there were also thesis competitions, opportunities to serve as student representatives on department committees, and international educational experiences. I flexed so many leadership muscles, and those were incredible experiences for me. The most encouraging and surprising development was the evolution from initially being policy driven in a macro environment to have a strong desire to serve in a clinical capacity in the micro/mezzo environment. Both my policy and clinical interests were fostered and encouraged at UND, and I valued not being pushed to pick one over the other. The breadth of the course content was inspiring and transformational for me.

Since graduating, how are you making an impact?

I am currently using my social work education in the broad areas of practice that compelled me to first start this journey. I work full-time as a human relations counselor in a maximum-security prison and part-time as a therapist at a non-profit as I earn my clinical hours toward my independent licensure. Additionally, I serve as chair of the board of directors for a state-wide agency that works to improve the lives of women through education, advocacy, and activism. I also chair a state-wide advisory committee for a national organization with a focus on education, advocacy, and health care. My training and degree are being utilized in every level of social work practice.

What would you say to someone considering the social work field?

I am grateful for the education UND offers in this field, the interest faculty has in incorporating lived experience into the concepts of the curriculum, the opportunities for leadership that are extended throughout the program, and the encouragement professors provide students to think big and apply their passions broadly. The integrity of the UND M.S.W. program is seen in its graduate’s great work in the helping profession. I joke that North Dakota only has about 1.5 degrees of separation between people instead of six, so I am aware of many fellow social workers transforming the lives and communities they serve. This institution indeed advances a noble legacy in social work.

The M.S.W. Program offers an advanced generalist curriculum that prepares students to practice competently in a variety of settings and across practice levels.