Kelly C. has always dreamed of making a difference in people’s lives through her career — and she’s always believed in the power of the right education to help her have an impact.

But the specifics weren’t always clear. She considered several pathways throughout her life and while earning her undergraduate education in justice studies and Spanish, such as being a voice to non-English speakers as a Spanish translator, educating the next generation as a teacher, or serving the public good within the legal system.

“I was really able to become privy to all the systemic injustices that are occurring,” she says, citing her education background. “My original path was to become a lawyer.”

All the trajectories she considered could help her empower others and change lives. But she wasn’t sure they felt entirely right for her innate skills and passions.

“I felt like morally my heart lay more with trying to advocate for the people who are unfairly impacted by the injustices,” she says.

It was a chance connection through a mutual friend that helped clarify her goals and align her ambitions with her education. She was introduced to a woman who presented an unexpected job opportunity. A quick glance sparked Kelly’s interest — and helped inspire an impactful educational and professional journey.

“It was working with children and families to work on relationship building and skill building in a therapeutic sense,” Kelly says. “I completely fell in love. I felt like it was the perfect mix of the legal stuff that I learned about, but also that compassion and empathy piece that I really wanted to also emphasize in my career.”

That experience prompted her to enroll in a master’s program in social work to gain the credentials to move forward.

When Kelly determined she wanted to dedicate her professional life to working with children, she didn’t have to look far for a perfect example of how to make it happen. Social work had always been part of her world — in fact, it was in her blood. Her mother was a hospital social worker.

“I appreciated what my mom did greatly,” she says. While she knew she wasn’t drawn to a hospital setting, she found inspiration in the work her mother did with people.

“That’s more impactful to me,” Kelly explains. “I want to leave every day feeling like I did something productive and made a change somewhere.”

Encouraged by her parents’ support, Kelly pursued a graduate degree.

“They’ve always been super supportive, which has made me, in turn, believe in myself and hold myself to higher standards,” she says.

If the first step toward making a difference in the world was deciding to pursue social work, the next step was choosing the right master’s degree program. As a lifelong believer in the power of education, Kelly knew the right program would help her achieve her goals.

“I always had a very strong drive for academics and collaboration with other students and teachers,” she says. “School was always something that I really strongly valued.”

As Kelly researched MSW programs, many of her considerations had to do with timing and flexibility. When she learned Regis’s online program followed an asynchronous format and offered multiple start dates to fit her schedule, she decided to apply.

Though she initially had concerns about whether an online program could offer the same depth as an in-person experience, those doubts quickly faded.

“I truly feel like I’m getting just as much, if not more, out of the program,” she says, crediting the small class sizes and access to faculty. “They’re so willing to connect with you one-on-one. That’s awesome. I don’t know if you would get that at other places.”

The collaborative nature of the program also stood out and was especially pronounced in the way in which she and her colleagues were divided into sections or communities called cohorts. Even with classmates spread across the country and balancing families, jobs, and other responsibilities, Kelly found connection and support.

"You form smaller groups of people who have very similar interests, work styles, and motivation,” Kelly says. “I would say through it I felt supported. I felt like this is totally the right thing that I'm doing.”

Social work is complex and communicative by its nature, and Kelly had wondered how the online learning environment would help her fully prepare for a career in this field. As it turned out, collaboration became a defining part of her experience — especially through faculty engagement.

"I felt so supported, especially by the faculty,” she says. “I was kind of anticipating a very individualized journey because it was totally asynchronous. But I quickly learned that these professors are so personable. Like, they remember specific things about people and students that make you feel seen and heard."

The faculty support didn’t stop when class ended. Kelly says she saw several times how professors went out of their way to help students — whether it was finding internship opportunities or working through logistical challenges.

“For people that were having trouble finding internships or were concerned about balancing all their obligations, the professors were very willing to help you find things that were in your area,” Kelly says. “They're very willing to hear you out — hear your situation.”

Kelly also valued the understanding shown by the faculty when life events, such as weddings and the loss of loved ones, cropped up.

“Their willingness to meet with you one-on-one and outside office hours—their receptiveness to feedback on changing things, whether it be assignments, learning, materials,” she says. “I feel truly heard through them.

Through her coursework and interactions, Kelly says she has strengthened her academic foundation while also learning more about herself.

“It’s taught me how to balance being a leader but not being overpowering,” she explains, “and also being open to other ideas, being open to other perspectives.”

She says she has come to appreciate the importance of stepping back to absorb what she’s learning — and then applying it meaningfully.

Throughout her life, Kelly has considered several paths — teacher, lawyer, social worker — all of which reflected her passion for working with children.

“They don’t get to choose their situations,” she says. “So it’s vital that they have a voice and an advocate.”

Social work, she’s found, gives her the chance to stay with clients longer and better understand the complexity of their stories.

Her goal after graduation is to continue working at her current organization while preparing for the LCSW exam. Eventually, she hopes to enter private practice and work with children who have experienced trauma.

“Even if it’s just one kid,” she says, “allowing them to feel like they have a person who is always in their corner who they feel like, you know, gets them.”

Kelly encourages future students to show up fully. “Be authentic, connect with others, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and really have fun,” she says. “I think it’s cool to be smart. It’s cool to be passionate and driven.”

She also recommends taking advantage of opportunities to connect with others through channels such as group chats, student committees, and the Student Advisory Board.

“That has shown a whole other side of the program,” she says. “We literally make the changes during those meetings, and they are reflected in later years. I think that’s so cool.”

If you want to learn more about Regis College and our offerings, check out our online master’s degrees, doctorate degrees, and certificate programs.