I studied Finance and Philosophy in college.  When I think about Professional Development and MercyWorks, I think about the opportunity to enter a completely new field of work, surrounded by support.  Entering my MercyWorks year, all I knew for sure was that I had a passion for building relationships and working with young people, coupled with a willingness to learn and grow.  If you have experience in social work and psychology, great!  If not, you are just like me!

To kick off your year, you will receive over a month of training and job orientation to help you adjust to your new role.  Then, you will receive weekly on-the-job supervision with your direct supervisor/manager to promote your ongoing development.  The feedback I received in supervision was invaluable.  I learned how to better support the guys with whom I was working and how to be a more effective member of my team.  Finally, you will be paired with a professional mentor who can offer advice for your career beyond the MercyWorks year.  My professional mentor happened to be a Mercy Home employee, but MercyWorks has a strong network of professionals in just about every industry to match your personal interests.

After my MercyWorks year, I decided to stay on staff at Mercy Home as a Youth Care Worker, working in the same role and on the same team as my MercyWorks placement.  The transition could not have been easier, which is a testament to the fact that all MercyWorks placements are full-time jobs offering real work experience.  I have a phenomenal manager who continues to challenge and encourage me on both a personal and professional level.  I am so grateful for all of her guidance and support.  All in all, the professional development I received as a MercyWorker helped me grow from a passionate college graduate with a passion into a young professional and a social worker.