MSW Helps Student Build on Decade of Skills and Experience
Janaeyah Reid '24 chose Widener to grow her skills and build on her already extensive career in the social work field.
- College of Health & Human Services
Janaeyah Reid 鈥24 turned to social work during her undergrad and never looked back. Originally planning to pursue a law degree, an advisor steered her toward a different path.
鈥淚 feel like social work is a higher calling for me. This is a tool that I was blessed with,鈥 Janaeyah shared.
Having worked in many different areas of the field for nearly a decade, Janaeyah now works in adoption and permanency, helping to bring families together after what is often a years-long, deeply emotional process.
When she was finally ready to pursue her master鈥檚 degree, Widener鈥檚 nationally-recognized master of social work (MSW) program was a clear next step.
A first-generation college graduate, and the first person in her family to pursue a master鈥檚 degree, Janaeyah was intimidated by the thought of balancing her full-time work with her courses.
鈥淚 had been considering getting my masters for a long time. When the pandemic hit, it was very transformative for me,鈥 Janaeyah said.
Despite the initial intimidation, Janaeyah found support among her coworkers - many of whom are Widener alums.
鈥淚 can look left and right in my office and see a Widener graduate, so I knew this had to be a great program. With the support of my employer and my colleagues I thought that if they can do it then so can I,鈥 she said.
After taking a leap of faith to begin the program, Janaeyah took another risk that paid off: applying for a fellowship award through the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
After seeing a poster on campus, Janaeyah applied for what she felt was a long shot opportunity. Months later, after forgetting that she had even applied, she learned that she was chosen to receive a Community Action Grant from the AAUW.
鈥淥ne of the barriers for me pursuing a masters was that I didn鈥檛 want to get into any more debt. [The AAUW] helps African American women get into higher education and finance their degrees,鈥 she explained.
This financial assistance came with an array of AAUW benefits including webinars and a wide network of other members that Janaeyah can use to network and lean on for guidance, support, and opportunity.
A decade into her career Janaeyah notes that she is continually learning and growing her skillset through the MSW program. She cites diverse faculty members as being influential in offering different perspectives that she may not have had.
鈥淚 really think highly of Widener鈥檚 program and the faculty. I think what is transformative about Widener鈥檚 program is that it teaches you not just the theories and methods, but also how to apply them,鈥 Janaeyah said. 鈥淗ow can I be better? How can I be aware of my blind spots? How can I think about this differently?鈥
She credits Marina Barnett as a mentor in this way of thinking.
鈥淪he is a wealth of knowledge. She鈥檚 able to take that knowledge and apply it to situations in ways I would never have thought of,鈥 Janaeyah said.
To others looking to pursue a career in social work, Janaeyah emphasizes the importance of knowing your worth and using your voice.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e going to advocate for your clients it starts with you,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat means speaking up when you see something that鈥檚 not right and asking for help when you need it.鈥
