Social work graduate transitions seamlessly to working world
Coming to Canada from Jamaica a decade ago, Shanice Grandison quickly saw the challenges most immigrants face when they land in a new country. There was finding her way around an unfamiliar city, adjusting to the climate and local culture, settling in and finding her place in the community, and generally getting used to life in a new home.
As a Black person, newly graduated Grandison also knew that pursuing a career in social work, her desired profession, had its own challenges.
“It’s hard as someone who is marginalized to enter a field that has historically and continues to contribute to the oppression of people who look like you and have similar backgrounds to you. As an immigrant, it’s an interesting middle ground to be on both sides,” Grandison says.
When it came to choosing a post-secondary institution where she could begin her studies, Grandison picked Mount Royal University. “I began the diploma program in September 2020, she says. “My plan was always to do my degree, so when it was announced that Mount Royal would be starting the Bachelor of Social Work program it felt like really great timing because I got to continue building on the foundation we started with in my first two years and have the support of peers and faculty that have been a part of the journey so far.”
In her final year, Grandison worked on a research project on the gaps that many first-generation post-secondary students encounter and the impacts of the hidden curriculum that come with that.
“Mentorship was identified to be a supporting element in bridging this gap and although I am not the first generation to go to post-secondary, I was the first in my family to attend university in Western society. I found that this had its own nuances that I wanted to receive support with, especially as I neared the end of my degree.”
Grandison discovered MRU's Career Mentorship Programs and was matched with Dr. Marva Ferguson, PhD, an associate professor with MRU’s Department of Child Studies and Social Work, who, as her mentor, encouraged her to pursue more research.
Ferguson invited her and four other social work students to take part in the 2024 City of Calgary Racial Justice Conference. “Shanice presented on ‘Community and Nation Building: Our Story, Our Responsibility Working towards Dismantling Racism in Social Work Education,’ ” Ferguson says. “In her presentation she highlighted how social work practice can engage in social justice and work towards dismantling racism by changing policies and practices in society.”
Ferguson says Grandison responded well to questions and comments from the audience, some of which were racially charged. “What I saw was someone with a high level of self-confidence and the ability to weave between the questions, comments, assumptions and focus on the positives of the social work program and her work,” Ferguson says.
Grandison credits Ferguson for encouraging her to share her story and motivating her and other students to remain curious and continuously question knowledge. She also felt supported by her other professors and their unique approach to learning, including Dr. Stasha Huntingford, PhD, who Grandison says challenges traditional norms of post-secondary education through her unique instructional style. She cites Huntingford’s flexibility in allowing students to present final projects instead of writing conventional papers, something Grandison found particularly helpful.
“It removed a barrier for me,” she explains. “I have these ideas and research but fitting them into the traditional essay format was challenging. Having an alternative was so helpful for me, and I felt I did more work because I was genuinely interested in what I was doing.”
Assistant professor of social work Gio Dolcecore also played a crucial role in helping Grandison navigate to the workforce, teaching her essential skills not typically covered in textbooks. “In terms of self-advocacy, the professors at MRU always encouraged me to speak up about my concerns and feel comfortable doing so,” Grandison explains.
She has already begun working as a registered social worker at Alberta Health Services with the goal of focusing on a career in international social work. She remains in contact with Ferguson, who continues to guide her as she enters the workforce. Grandison says that the knowledge, experience and connections she made at MRU have provided that opportunity.
“I am continuing to grow and learn about the community around me through my personal and professional life.”