Through Arts Co-op, English Language and Literature major Tina Yu is making a positive impact while exploring her dream career in social work during her co-op term at the Squamish Nation.
As an aspiring social worker hoping to help vulnerable individuals, Tina calls this co-op a “perfect fit” for her future goals. Collaborating with other Squamish Nation departments and external agencies like BC Hydro and Health Services, Tina is responsible for providing intake assessments to Squamish Band members who are facing crisis, offering emotional support and assessing how the Nation can best address their needs.
Tina explains that her team “acts as a safety net and last resort support to Squamish individuals and families,” allowing her to contribute to the community while gaining experience in social work. Tina has also drawn connections between her work term and courses in Indigenous studies. Working on the frontline of Indigenous support services, Tina feels that “the issues and struggles Indigenous communities face are even more intricate and complex than we were taught” – she believes co-op has given her “insight, hands-on experience, and a better understanding of everyday problems” facing Indigenous communities.
During her work term, Tina has also worked with individuals and families suffering from mental illnesses and addiction, and she writes that “although I learned about these sensitive topics in class, co-op has allowed me to apply my knowledge to real-life situations” – an invaluable experience aligned with her future goals in social work.
To Tina, this work term “has been both a cultural and professional learning experience,” an opportunity to build her skills in social work while supporting the Indigenous community. For students like Tina, co-op is a chance to gain valuable experience while making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Through Arts Co-op, English Language and Literature major Tina Yu is making a positive impact while exploring her dream career in social work during her co-op term at the Squamish Nation.
As an aspiring social worker hoping to help vulnerable individuals, Tina calls this co-op a “perfect fit” for her future goals. Collaborating with other Squamish Nation departments and external agencies like BC Hydro and Health Services, Tina is responsible for providing intake assessments to Squamish Band members who are facing crisis, offering emotional support and assessing how the Nation can best address their needs.
Tina explains that her team “acts as a safety net and last resort support to Squamish individuals and families,” allowing her to contribute to the community while gaining experience in social work. Tina has also drawn connections between her work term and courses in Indigenous studies. Working on the frontline of Indigenous support services, Tina feels that “the issues and struggles Indigenous communities face are even more intricate and complex than we were taught” – she believes co-op has given her “insight, hands-on experience, and a better understanding of everyday problems” facing Indigenous communities.
During her work term, Tina has also worked with individuals and families suffering from mental illnesses and addiction, and she writes that “although I learned about these sensitive topics in class, co-op has allowed me to apply my knowledge to real-life situations” – an invaluable experience aligned with her future goals in social work.
To Tina, this work term “has been both a cultural and professional learning experience,” an opportunity to build her skills in social work while supporting the Indigenous community. For students like Tina, co-op is a chance to gain valuable experience while making a positive difference in the lives of others.