Amanda Fleischmann ’20

Social Work

Biography

I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I knew I wanted to work with children in need and chose Taylor because of the integration of faith in the classroom, the opportunity to learn from a rigorous social work program from the foundation of Biblical values, and my relationship with God. My expectations were far exceeded. At Taylor, I found a great community to be a part of. I developed great relationships with the people I lived with and with all of my professors who worked hard to give me not only a top-notch education but cared about me holistically. Since leaving Taylor, I was hired by the organization I did my practicum with, 4KIDS of South Florida. Here I work as a foster parent support specialist, where I get to license, support, and care for foster families. My Taylor education fully prepared me for my current role. Working alongside interns and employees from different programs, I have seen how much more I learned at Taylor in comparison to their education.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

My most valuable experiences at Taylor included the plethora of social and educational opportunities. Socially, Taylor creates a tight community. I was able to build relationships with both upper and lower classmen. I have many memories of making Walmart and Wendy’s runs, having friends come to my performances and special occasions, as well as me going to theirs, and generally, being there for each other like family. Educationally, my professors provided me opportunities to develop the skills I was learning in the classroom. Furthermore, they knew me well enough to find exactly the right fit for my senior practicum.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

My interactions with my professors greatly influenced my growth in several ways. First, I was able to do summer research projects with a professor and then present on the research at professional conferences. I also had opportunities at conferences on the Taylor campus to meet and hear from other professionals in the field. I also developed personal relationships with professors and they were able to advise me academically, professionally, and personally regarding various aspects of my life. Finally, I was able to learn new skills in the classroom and then put them into practice in my junior and senior practicum under the supervision of my social work professors.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

Baccalaureate social work is considered generalist practice. That means that social work engages with individuals, families, groups, and communities, so we are taught the skills to engage with all these areas. We then apply that knowledge in direct work with a wide variety of clients. The liberal arts foundational core curriculum of Taylor perfectly supports the social work profession. The foundational core expands the generalist practice model of social work ensuring that students are exposed to a variety of disciplines and are prepared not only for their professional careers but for all of life. Personally, I felt not only extremely prepared for my career in social work but also to have informed discussions with other professionals in their fields, and with friends and families about important political and trending social topics. I feel prepared for life as Taylor’s foundational core has modeled for me how I incorporate my core value—my relationship with Jesus—in all areas of life.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

I would tell any Taylor social work student to not be afraid of digging into the deep questions. Wrestle with how your personal values and your professional values interact and continue to wrestle with it and ask the hard questions after you graduate and are in the field.