The Journey continues: My last semester of graduate school

Tomorrow begins my final semester as a Master’s of Social Work student. It is hard to believe I’ve been in the program for a year and a half. It has gone by so fast.

 

It has been an exciting year and a half. I have had opportunities to do things that I did not know I was capable of doing. I know my learning is far from over. This final semester will be an exciting one for me.

 

I will be taking four classes to further my knowledge of the field of social work. My internship will continue to be a valuable source of knowledge for me. I am learning so much at the Division of Blind Services. Being able to help others who have vision problems is very rewarding. It is nice to help others who struggle with many of the same things I do.

 

This semester I will begin an exciting new program for the Division of Blind Services. I have researched and developed a job skills training program for the clients of DBS who are seeking employment.

 

With the guidance of my task supervisor, I will begin teaching the first class next week. I am excited, and a little nervous, about beginning this exciting journey. It will be interesting to monitor the progress of the clients and evaluate and modify the program as needed.

 

So here’s to an exciting final semester of graduate school!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!


As another year begins, I am reflecting back on 2014. A lot happened during 2014. I am still in the social work master’s program. I completed my first four-month internship in May 2014 and began my second internship at the Division of Blind Services (DBS) in September 2014. I am enjoying the work that I am doing there.

There have been some sad events over the year. My guide dog Diesel began having problems with arthritis and bone spurs. Due to his sometimes limited mobility, I have made the heart-breaking decision to retire him in May after I graduate. I do not want to retire him, but I have to do what is best for both of us.

I am excited about what the year 2015 will bring. I also have some trepidation. I will be entering a new chapter in my life where I will not be a student anymore.

Even though I am saddened about Diesel’s impending retirement, I am excited to begin the journey of working with a third guide dog. I will be going to a month long training program at a guide dog school to train with the new dog. Once home, the dog and I will continue to grow as a team.

 I will use this blog to chronicle my journey over the next year. I want to document the wonderful experiences I will have as I expand my horizons.