When Luma L. was just 15, she discovered her passion for working with people.

As a teenager, she worked at a nursing home assisting residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Her natural compassion and empathy didn’t go unnoticed. One of the social workers at the facility saw something special in her.

“There was a social worker at the nursing home who told me I’d be really good at it,” says Luma. “She even told my mom. Her words stayed with me and confirmed what I already felt — that I wanted to help people. From there, everything started to align.”

Raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Luma watched her mother work 90-hour weeks to support the family. For much of her life, college didn’t seem possible.

“It was not something I ever considered,” she says. “I never pictured that going to college was going to be financially possible. But my mom always said, ‘Stick in school, we will figure it out.’”

And they did. Luma became a first-generation college student. Although her school didn’t offer a social work degree, she earned her bachelor’s in sociology and criminology, keeping her long-held goal in sight.

A few years later, she decided it was time to pursue her master’s degree.

“I always knew I wanted to be a social worker — I just didn’t know how to make it happen. But I kept taking one step at a time.”

To return to school, Luma needed a program that fit her life. She was working full-time and couldn’t afford to slow down.

“I remember Googling ‘social work master’s program,’ and a lot popped up,” she says. “But I needed something fully online and asynchronous, so I could do schoolwork before work, after work, and even in between.”

She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but her commitment was stronger than her doubts. A call from a Regis advisor sealed the deal.

“They saw my interest online and called me that same day,” Luma recalls. “They walked me through the entire process before I had even applied. I thought, ‘If this is how they treat students at the start, this is going to be good.’”

In addition to coursework and her job, Luma would need to complete 1,000 hours of clinical experience. It was daunting at first, but manageable with the right structure.

“Anyone who's working class can do it because the program is designed to accommodate your schedule,” she says. “That’s something I really appreciated.”

“There were definitely moments when balancing everything was overwhelming,” she adds. “But it was doable, and the way Regis was set up made it attainable.”

Luma credits much of her success to the support she received from the faculty. Her professors didn’t just teach — they genuinely cared.

“All of the professors have compassion for their students,” she says. “You really see it in how accommodating and understanding they are. I haven’t had one negative experience.”

Through her clinical placements, Luma applied what she learned to real-world situations, some of which were deeply emotional.

“I worked with survivors of human trafficking,” she says. “It was both an incredible and painful experience. I did direct service with women who had been trafficked and exploited. It really opened my eyes.”

The experience left a lasting impact. She’s now considering specializing in that sector, but she’s also open to returning to working with children.

“At the end of the day, I just want to help people. I don’t know exactly what that will look like yet, but I feel ready to make the difference I can.”

Even while working in retail during her master’s program, Luma found herself using her social work skills.

“It’s like I attract people,” she says. “Customers would open up to me with their life stories and ask for advice. I’d think, ‘Can they tell I’m a social worker?’ It’s like it’s in your blood. You just exude that energy.”

Luma adds, “Even if I end up doing something different, what I’ve learned has taught me so much about human nature. It’s opened my eyes and given me the tools to go out and meet the world where it is.”

Luma knows how intimidating it can be to go back to school, but she also knows how life-changing it can be.

“If going back to school is what you want, do it,” she says. “The time is now. You’re only going to get older, so you might as well get older while you’re bettering yourself and doing something you’re passionate about.”

If you’re ready to follow your calling, Regis College is ready to support you. Learn more about our online master’s degrees, doctorate degrees, and certificate programs.