Denisha Tyson

The graduate assistantship at Fayetteville State University's School of Social Work has provided me with many great opportunities. I truly enjoy working with the diverse populations that make up the department. This position allows me to collaborate with other social work students and provides them with information that assists them in attaining professional development.

Faculty and staff within Fayetteville State University's School of Social Work go above and beyond to ensure that students have everything they require to be successful academically, professionally and personally. I appreciate these individuals much more now that I am able to look at them through the eyes of a graduate assistant and not just a student. I relish in the fact that students have a nourishing relationship with faculty and staff, and they frequently visit faculty and staff to discuss their academic progress. I have had the opportunity to assist undergraduate students with obtaining resources they otherwise had no prior knowledge of and this is rewarding to me.

If you have the opportunity to become a graduate assistant, I highly recommend that you do because it is a great experience that teaches you so much about what it takes to be a professional in an academic setting. It also allows you the ability to network in a professional setting, and make connections that could lead to more opportunities in the future. I have met more faculty due to my position this semester. As a graduate assistant, you are a short-term coworker with the staff and faculty within the university, but you learn life-long skills that will follow you through your career. This is one of most enlightening positions I have held, and I look forward to learning so much more from this school.