Grace (Elenbaas ’18) Reinink

Social Work

Biography

I am a 2018 graduate from the Taylor social work program. About a month after graduating, I began my studies at Western Michigan University in their advanced standing Masters of social work program. Advanced standing is an accelerated MSW program only for BSW graduates. It allows a BSW to complete their Masters in approximately one year. After 10 months in the accelerated program, I graduated and got a job working for a local PACE organization, which focuses on keeping elderly individuals healthy in the community. I worked there for two years, and in the summer of 2021 I started a job with Cancer and Hematology Centers of Western Michigan walking alongside patients as they go through one of life's most challenging journeys. I also became a fully licensed social worker (LMSW in Michigan) in the summer of 2021.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

I had many valuable experiences at Taylor, but the main ones that stand out are my studies in the social work program, competing on the golf team at Taylor, and making many incredible friendships there. The social work program was amazing and prepared me so well for my graduate studies! I would say my classes at Taylor were more challenging and growing than my classes in graduate school. The professors were always ready to answer any of my questions, and truly set me up for success as a social worker! Golfing at Taylor was a great experience in improving my golf skills, experiencing both loss and success, and making some great friends through the program. Finally and most importantly, I made some incredible friends through my floor in Bergwall and Olsen, the golf team, and through classes. Many of these friends have helped me grow my faith and are still some of my best friends today!

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

Many of my classes at Taylor pushed me to work collaboratively with others. In the social work program I learned so much from group projects and real-life applications of course content. My spring semester senior year internship (practicum), which was overseen by our professors, showed me what real-life social work was like. It shaped my thoughts, practices, and skills into ones of a competent social worker.

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

Because I was able to take courses from almost every discipline at Taylor, I feel I was well equipped for my graduate studies and my social work practice once I graduated. Becoming well-rounded was so important when it came to performing well in interviews and integrating into multidisciplinary fields, as I have learned through my work in healthcare. To current students—pay attention in all of your classes, even the foundational core classes! There are many things I learned in those classes that helped set me up for success in my field, and excel in social work classes at Taylor.

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

Don't be afraid to try different paths within social work! There are so many different jobs and avenues you can take with this degree, so take advantage of that with your practicums, volunteer experiences and when searching for jobs at graduation. Also, don't feel like you need to have your whole life figured out at 22. You are just stepping into adulthood, and God is guiding you through a new and very exciting phase of life. Enjoy both professional and personal growth as you learn about yourself and where God has called you to be.