Our Graduates

Student interns placed at the Workplace Center move into a variety of fields in the world of work after their graduation from Columbia School of Social Work. See where our graduates have gone and what they have to say about their time working with the Center:

"In coming to Columbia, my desire was to learn more about the importance and role of work in people's lives from a Social Work perspective. My experiences as an intern at the Workplace Center not only exposed me to research and practice in workplace issues, it also taught me the principle that all Social Work practice must be guided by rigorous research from a holistic perspective."

Daniel Hekman , M.S.
Columbia School of Social Work Class of 2009
Program Analyst
Immediate Office of the Regional Administrator (Region II)
The Administration for Children and Families
US Department of Health and Human Services

"At the Workplace Center I learned how to help individuals with their vocational goals. This has proven very helpful in all the work I have done since then, particularly in understanding and helping others achieve their goals. I credit Shelley and her team for challenging me to achieve excellence while serving others."

Matthew A. Omelagah, M.S.
Columbia School of Social Work Class of 2006
Director of Housing Services
West Bay Housing Corp.

"The experience, knowledge, and skills I gained through my placement at the Workplace Center have been absolutely critical to my professional success. My coursework taught me the theory behind advancing social policy within organizations; the Workplace Center showed me how to put it into practice. A placement at the Workplace Center provides a unique opportunity to bridge research, policy and practice at all levels. I frequently access the resources and connections I developed at the Workplace Center in my professional life today consulting with state agencies and programs."

Amy Drake Beaulieu, M.S.
Columbia School of Social Work Class of 2003
Policy Associate
Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy
Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine
Portland, Maine

"The Workplace Center provided me with a very dynamic learning environment! I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work side by side with esteemed faculty and professionals providing me unique insight into the real "world of work". Based on this experience I was able to build a strong foundation of skills that have assisted me in my career as I work to empower and motivate a diverse population of employees to better manage their health, life and careers."

Cheryl Solon, M.S.
Columbia School of Social Work Class of 2001
Consultant
Health and Wellness, Multinational Corporation

"My year at the Workplace Center taught me how effective one can be as a service provider if one understands the significance of work in the lives of people. I don't believe there could have been a better place for me to have been exposed to the organizations and systems management which has been my focus since becoming Executive Director."

Kevin Costin, M.S.
Columbia School of Social Work Class of 1999
Executive Director
Counseling Service of the Eastern District of New York