"I wanted to be that person I wish I had growing up," said Ariana Pickett '22, eloquently summing up her motivation to pursue the St. Ambrose University Master of Social Work that she received in May.
Ariana's father was in the Army until 2000, causing a move to Indiana when she was in third grade. It was a challenging, impactful experience that Ariana didn't fully understand until she was older.
"When I started third grade, I was one of three African Americans in my class, and by the time I graduated, there were 12 out of a graduating class of 530," she said. "Growing up, I was bullied for being black. I was constantly told how I needed to act my race, being reminded how I am not white, and how I needed to date my race.
"I never felt that I fit in anywhere, which led to a lot of self-hate, depression, and self-harm. Years later when I sought therapy, I found it hard to open up. It was hard talking about my past trauma with someone who did not truly understand the struggles of being African American."
This was when Ariana realized that she wanted to be a therapist.
"I wanted to work with people who felt like I did. I wanted to be that person they could come to and know that they would not be judged. I wanted to be that person that I wish I had growing up, " she said.
It's been a long road for Ariana where she was always trying new things in search of the ideal degree program and career. In 2014, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from Indiana University. She quickly entered the workforce as a behavioral health professional at the Center for Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS).
"Things at my job were stressful. In two months, we had six clients lose their life to their addiction," she said. "I felt that I wasn't making the difference I should, and I started questioning if I wanted to do direct service anymore."
Pickett then decided to pursue an MBA in Healthcare Management but quickly realized that was not what she wanted to do and withdrew.
"I was back to the drawing board," Pickett said. "I then received a letter from one of our Halfway House program clients. He was about to complete the program in a few days. He talked about how the staff made such a difference during his past three months of treatment. He listed the staff who made the most impact on him – and my name was on that list."
With a renewed motivation, Pickett decided to pursue her master's in social work to further her skills as a counselor and become a better advocate for those who need it.
"That letter refreshed my viewpoint and reminded me why I started in this field in the first place."
"I wanted to work with people who felt like I did. I wanted to be that person they could come to and know that they would not be judged. I wanted to be that person that I wish I had growing up."
Ariana Pickett, Class of 2022, Master of Social Work
As she collected her hard-earned Master in Social Work at the St. Ambrose University Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony, Pickett has tangible proof she chose a path where she will be "the person she wished she had" for so many others going forward. Her many achievements in the MSW program include her selection to the prestigious and highly-competitive Minority Fellowship Program through the Council on Social Work Education.
The year-long fellowship, funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is intended to help reduce health disparities and improve healthcare outcomes that diverse communities experience by creating more culturally competent clinicians in mental health and substance abuse. Pickett attends professional development seminars and meets with a mentor biweekly as part of the fellowship.
"I've learned a lot of lessons along the way. The biggest thing I can say is to do what makes you happy. You only have one life to live."
Share This Story
