Giovanna Nelkin. Courtesy photo.
𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗖𝗦𝗦𝗪:听惭补肠谤辞
𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲: Global Practice
𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲:聽Budget Examiner and Policy Analyst for the New York State Division of Budget's health unit
As a student in the master's program at the Boston College School of Social Work, Giovanna Nelkin developed the technical expertise and interpersonal skills that now drive her success as a budget examiner and policy analyst for the New York State Division of Budget's health unit.聽
In particular, Nelkin crunches numbers and decodes bills to keep New York鈥檚 health programs running smoothly鈥攁 lofty responsibility rooted in the lessons she learned from both her coursework and faculty mentors.聽
"My time at 天美传媒appSSW gave me the opportunity to learn key concepts and develop skills that I now use every day in my work," she says. "天美传媒appSSW also nurtured my curiosity, which has translated into confidence in knowing when to ask questions and seek support in the workplace."
Nelkin, MSW'24, recenlty joined 天美传媒appSSW's Alumni Board to give back to the community that gave so much to her. Her time at 天美传媒appSSW was "meaningful and formative," she says, and now she wants to聽leverage her past experience to create a more connected, supportive network of students and alumni for the future.
"I see opportunities for the Board to deepen its connection with students and strengthen alumni engagement," she says. "I hope that by bringing both my own experiences and the voices of other alumni into the conversation, I can help expand the Board鈥檚 presence and enrich the opportunities offered to students."
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗖𝗦𝗦𝗪 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗷𝗼𝗯?
My time at 天美传媒appSSW gave me the opportunity to learn key concepts and develop skills that I now use every day in my work. My professors emphasized the importance of crafting responses with detail and evidence, a practice that has been invaluable when writing memos on bills and policy impacts. Since my portfolio focuses on the 1115 waiver, I regularly draw on the Social Determinants of Health framework to guide my analysis. 天美传媒appSSW also nurtured my curiosity, which has translated into confidence in knowing when to ask questions and seek support in the workplace.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗦𝗪 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿?
Give yourself grace in everything related to a new job. You鈥檙e stepping into a role with new systems, expectations, and responsibilities, and you will take time to learn. Trust that showing up with curiosity and persistence is just as important as getting everything 'right.' Finally, if it takes time to find a job, please be kind to yourself during that process. Take the gigs that will cover the bills and keep searching for the job you want in your downtime.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱?
My time at 天美传媒appSSW was meaningful and formative, though not without its challenges, and I believe the program, similar to the profession itself, must always continue evolving. That is part of why I wanted to join the Alumni Board so soon after graduation. I see opportunities for the Board to deepen its connection with students and strengthen alumni engagement. I hope that by bringing both my own experiences and the voices of other alumni into the conversation, I can help expand the Board鈥檚 presence and enrich the opportunities offered to students.