How do you obtain your objectives? Ashley Utsuro says laborious work, dedication, no sleep and occasional are obligatory elements in her recipe for achievement.
Ashley, 27, is from Harare in Zimbabwe. She’s within the third yr of her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), which she is learning at SACAP’s Cape City Campus.
Ashley is admired for her educational excellence and dedication and is in style along with her friends and educators. We jumped on the alternative to inform her story.
Beginning Out
“I got here to South Africa six years in the past,” she tells us once we hook up along with her. “I did a digital advertising and marketing brief course at UCT however struggled to get accepted right into a college diploma.”
“After listening to about SACAP, I utilized and was accepted on my first strive!” she exclaims, including that by that stage, she was 25.
Hardwired to assist
Ashley says her seedling want to assist others took root in her grade 11 yr at college. “In Zimbabwe, June 16 is the Day of the African Baby, marking the beginning of the Youngsters’s Parliament. It was established in 1991 for youth to voice their challenges,” she explains.
“Every year, college students from excessive colleges compete, with one chosen from every district. I used to be honoured to function the Junior Member of Parliament for Kuwadzana Japanese District from 2016 to 2017.”
This expertise taught Ashely the significance of empowering youth to advocate for his or her rights, she says. Consequently, her want to assist others has germinated right into a full-hearted ardour.
“My dream job is to be a world coverage analyst,” she says. “I wish to contribute to systemic change and insurance policies that don’t oppress individuals.”
Ashley’s magnanimity prompted her to enrol in SACAP’s BSW diploma. “I do know it seems like a little bit of a cliché, however I’m pushed for an additional motive,” she admits. “There was a degree in my life after I want I’d had a social employee to assist me.”
School credentials
“I selected SACAP as a result of I appreciated the small lessons,” Ashley says. “Interacting with solely 25 individuals facilitates a extra intimate studying setting.”
“SACAP’s course materials provides a deeper understanding that goes past principle. It encourages vital considering,” Ashley continues. “And I believe the Work Built-in Studying (WIL) is excellent!” “SACAP’s WIL coordinator went out of her means to supply placements that aligned with our pursuits,” she provides. “From my very first yr at SACAP, my sensible fieldwork publicity knowledgeable all the things I learnt in school. WIL has been an extremely precious expertise.”
Flourishing fieldwork
Ashley excelled at her placement web site, Come up Household, the place her supervisors –and friends positioned there, too – have praised her blossoming experience.
“Come up Household is a faith-based family-focused organisation that goals to see each baby thrive within the communities through which they stay,” Ashley explains. “My internship at Come up had the best impression on my private {and professional} growth. It’s the place I found my ardour for group help and group work.”
Uncooked expertise
Ashley’s efforts in communities with difficult situations like Manenberg showcase her ability and resilience. For instance, she accomplished a court docket report below supervision and her suggestions, made on behalf of her consumer, considerably influenced the end result.
This capability to steer by elaborate authorized processes was a consequence of the help she acquired at Come up, Ashley asserts. “My supervisors helped me navigate lots of the complexities.”
Balancing act
The BSW is at the moment supplied as a four-year full-time programme. Since Ashley is in her third yr of research, we’re curious to find how versatile she has discovered the course thus far and whether or not moonlighting on the aspect is feasible.
“On the weekends, I work remotely as an on-call administrator for a UK firm that gives carers and help employees to numerous organisations,” Ashely says.
Juggling her subject placement, lessons and work was fairly a battle, she admits. Impressively, although, she accomplished 300 sensible hours in the course of the first six months of this yr.
“This time period, I’ve solely two lessons which can be two hours lengthy on Monday and Tuesday. Since I’ve accomplished my placement for the yr, I exploit the remainder of my time to review, write assignments after which work on the weekend,” she notes. “So far as incomes cash and learning goes, I believe it differs relying on what jobs different college students have. For me, it’s laborious work, dedication and occasional!” Ashley exclaims.
Wanting forward
Earlier than wrapping up our dialog, Ashley mentioned she selected to review in South Africa as a result of her household moved to this nation. “I don’t plan to take my diploma house, sadly, as I really feel there are numerous alternatives right here.”
She’s constructive about her prospects. “I satisfaction myself in being a lifelong learner,” she says. “5 years from now, I goal to be doing my PhD and carving out a profession in group work or coverage growth.”
Past borders
The WIL element of Ashley’s diploma ignited her ardour for group work and enabled her to make an impression even earlier than commencement. Why not align your ardour and objective, too?
If, like Ashley, you’re pushed by a dedication to seeing each baby have equal alternatives, then SACAP’s Bachelor of Social Work is an effective avenue to discover.
Excellent news when you don’t stay in South Africa: SACAP plans to supply the BSW diploma on-line quickly. For extra info, get in contact.
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