Brookdale Alum Finds Purpose & Career Path through Human Services Program

Erica Conover, Freehold, NJ, a recent graduate of Brookdale Community College’s Human Services Program, shares her inspiring journey from working as a receptionist in a mental health clinic to pursuing a career in human services. Erica’s dedication and passion for helping others led her to enroll in Brookdale’s program, and her experiences during the internship have shaped her career aspirations.

Erica’s journey began while she was working as a receptionist in a mental health clinic specializing in addiction. “During my nine years there, I saw the need for more clinicians and realized I wanted to be part of the solution,” she explained. Erica discovered Brookdale through a Facebook advertisement and decided to enroll, despite not initially knowing much about the college. Living in Freehold, she recognized the campus from the signs on Route 9 and felt it was a convenient option to balance work and studies.

Erica graduated from Brookdale this past May, though she had to complete a summer statistics course to fulfill all her requirements. “I was able to take the class during the first summer session and finish my degree,” she said.

Erica’s initial expectations for the internship were to gain hands-on experience and learn more about the field. “At first, it was a lot of training and learning from supervisors, but as we progressed, we got to shadow outreach workers and social workers,” she recalled. Shadowing social workers was particularly impactful for Erica, as it allowed her to see the real-world application of her studies.

Brookdale’s Human Services Program partnered with the Board of Social Services to offer paid internships, a first for the college. “The paid internship was crucial for me, as I needed the income while completing my required hours,” Erica explained. This partnership provided Erica with invaluable experience and alleviated some financial pressure.

Erica credits her academic studies at Brookdale for preparing her well for the internship’s challenges. She highlighted classes such as Counseling Techniques, taught by Professor Greco, which focused on reading body language and effective communication. Another notable class was Group Dynamics with Professor Cohen, which emphasized empathy and understanding group interactions. “These classes taught me how to interact with different populations and build empathy, which is essential in this field,” she said.

Erica started working this summer as a clerical assistant at the Board of Social Services, a role she secured through her internship. While the transition from internship to employee had some challenges, Erica remains optimistic about her future. “I’m starting at Rutgers for further studies, and I’m soaking up everything I can from my current role,” she said. Erica aims to become an individual therapist and is committed to continuing her education while gaining practical experience.

Erica advises future interns to go in with an open mind, ask questions, and learn from both passionate and indifferent professionals. “You get to gauge what kind of worker you want to be and how you want to help others,” she emphasized.

Erica’s journey from receptionist to aspiring therapist is a great example of the power of education and hands-on experience. Brookdale’s Human Services Program, with its innovative internship opportunities, has paved the way for Erica and many others to make a meaningful impact in their communities. As Erica continues her studies and career, she remains dedicated to helping others and making a difference in the field of human services.