Why I Chose to Study Social Work
Inspired by her older sister’s experience majoring in social work at UNH, Swabowicz decided to follow in her footsteps. Once she arrived on campus, she knew she had made the right choice.
“I love the class sizes in the program, they feel very personal,” Swabowicz says. “The professors are great; they create a very inclusive community.”
A Passion for Combining Social Work and Recreation
In high school, Swabowicz volunteered at a camp for youth affected by substance misuse and saw first-hand the positive impact outdoor activities can have.
This carried over to her senior internship with Mount Prospect Academy, a residential treatment program for teenage boys, where she works on the clinical team, supporting youth in traditional and adventure therapy settings.
“I’ll go with them to court dates or transition meetings, but I also get to work with them outdoors fishing or going to the gym,” Swabowicz says. “It’s been exciting seeing social work from an experiential education standpoint.”
Appalachian Trail a ‘Life Changing Experience'
As president of the New Hampshire Outing Club, Swabowicz has experience leading hiking, whitewater rafting, and climbing trips. But during spring 2024 she took part in what she called a “life-changing experience”—hiking the Appalachian Trail
“Someone once described it to me in a way that resonated: the first third is physical, the second third is mental, and the final third is spiritual. I found that to be true...mentally, you need a lot of resilience to finish, to adapt, and to keep going through the highs and lows,” Swabowicz says. “It taught me a lot about myself, especially how strong and resilient I am, which I see as a parallel to social work. Social work is a tough field, mentally and emotionally. Burnout is common, and resilience is essential to keep going. It taught me that I’m capable of more than I thought if I’m willing to put in the work, and that the rewards are worth the challenges.”
Through the trail community, Swabowicz also found a renewed faith in humanity and a unique perspective on community and support, encountering “trail angels” who helped hikers with food, rides, and places to rest along the way.
What Comes After UNH?
Swabowicz says the combination of her social work education, along with the recreation management and policy courses she took, has set her up to pursue a career in adventure therapy.
“I’d love to work at a camp for underprivileged youth, where they can experience the outdoors and approach mental health differently. Instead of just bringing a kid into a room to talk, there’s so much more you can do by getting them outside and engaging with nature,” Swabowicz says.
In the long term, Swabowicz would like to focus on making outdoor experiences more accessible and may pursue a master’s degree in a program that combines social work with recreation management or outdoors education.
