The Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, hosted the 2024 Washington Week during spring break. The annual tour took 26 students to the nation’s capital to explore career opportunities, network with alumni, and visit over 20 different agencies. Washington Week, developed by the Career and Leadership Development Office, has a nearly 20-year history and all Crown Family School students can participate regardless of pathway or year of study.
After leaving Washington, D.C., the students had a broader understanding of potential career paths for their respective fields. The Crown Family School degree programs offer preparation for many more jobs than some of the students realized.
“There is so much more to this degree in terms of things that you can do than I expected,” said Lilah Ravinuthala, a second-year Social Work student. “This is showing me an entirely different perspective of what I’m capable of.”
But the best part of Washington Week? Many of the students returned to Chicago feeling like their knowledge and training would enable them to enact real change. They experienced real-life examples of how they can apply their knowledge to handle society’s most difficult problems by influencing change at the federal level.
“I feel truly empowered,” said Doria Qu, a first-year Social Sector Leadership student. “Seeing all these impactful people working in different federal government branches is convincing to me that I’m on the right track, and what I’m doing right now on Asian women empowerment is meaningful, and one day I could be as influential as them.”
To read the rest of the story originally published on the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice website, click here.
