Alexis Minnis was drawn to Smith College School for Social Work in 2024 because of its unique format, with 10 immersive weeks on campus each year, followed by 8-month internships to experience social work — and practice new and existing skills — in real-world contexts.
Prior to coming to Smith, Alexis spent two years in New Orleans working with Teach For America in K-12 schools. While there, she realized she was drawn more to supporting the students’ overall needs than to teaching subject material.
“I loved being at school and I loved the kids. I loved that every day’s different and how busy it is,” Alexis said. “But the things I cared about most in the classroom were like ‘Did you get enough sleep last night? How are you doing mentally? Did you get breakfast or lunch, or all the food that you need? Did you meet all your needs, before you came into my classroom to learn math?’”
The school social worker suggested she consider working in schools as a social worker. Alexis, who has a B.S. in psychology from UMass Amherst, had already encountered the School for Social Work when the school visited her undergrad program. As she learned more about SSW’s format, she knew it would be a good fit.
“I'm an ambassador for Smith College SSW and when I talk to prospective students, I tell them ‘You have to really know that 10 weeks intensive means you're taking ten classes and you have to be ready for that,’” Alexis said. “For me, I know that I work really well when it's quick and intensive, when I can really dive into it and there are no other distractions. Then I can go and put what I learned into practice. That was an amazing model for me, particularly, and I think it's an amazing model, in general.”
Once she arrived at Smith, she found even more to love about the program, including the smaller classes of students who are committed to Smith’s approach, and the numerous summer faculty members who spend the rest of the year doing clinical and community work.
“What they're doing during the year informs their teaching during the summer. Teaching at Smith in the summer is a choice they're actively making, as well. So the community that you're going into at SSW is very much all people who really want to be there.”
Since Alexis knew internships are available across the country, she was thrilled to find she could spend her first practicum working in the San Francisco Unified School District, where she had gone to school herself.
“I think that first summer is really important to learn and develop relationships. Then when you come back second year, you're doing more of the work where there are touch points that could get hairy. It’s good to have developed relationships that you can lean on and have more conversations. I think second summer’s where you figure it out.”
“It felt very full circle in that first year,” Alexis said. “Moving back home and then also being in the school district that raised me.”
Her second practicum also has been in the San Francisco Bay area, so she hasn’t had to relocate, even though her placement changed.
As she has been working in her internships, Alexis has appreciated having a network of other clinicians-in-training from her cohort. Although they may be in different settings and locations, they can share experiences and support one another during the months between summer terms.
Alexis also stays connected with the school and her peers through the Council for Students of Color. Her specific role as the Student Organization Representative means she serves as a liaison between the Council and the Student Organization.
“I go to the Student Organization meetings to be a voice for the Council, and then I also go to Council meetings and report back on what the Student Organization is thinking and doing.”
Alexis has found that being involved in the Council for Students of Color has been very grounding for her, as a person of color. It has provided a place to share experiences and feel a sense of community with other students who are experiencing similar things.
“I didn’t really tap into that in the first summer, but tapped in significantly more the second summer.”
That aligns with an observation Alexis has about the program.
“I think that first summer is really important to learn and develop relationships,” she said. “Then when you come back second year, you're doing more of the work where there are touch points that could get hairy. It’s good to have developed relationships that you can lean on and have more conversations. I think second summer’s where you figure it out.”
One of the things Alexis has figured out is that getting her M.S.W. at Smith was the right choice for her.
“After my first internship, which was in school social work, I was sold. I knew it could have gone either way. But I love being at school. I love this role. It's a mix of what I think social work is to me, which is putting services where they're needed and getting people where they want to be.”
“I'm really lucky and I wouldn't choose another program. There's always things to be working on to improve in the profession, but I have had a good experience and hope others have a good experience if they choose this path.”
