20
September
2022
|
08:53 AM
America/Chicago

Inspired by family and community

Student of the Week: Dominique Sepulveda

“I feel like everyone needs a chance in life to become someone for themselves. That’s why I want to work with kids who are in need of help or need a guide or mentor. I think I can make a difference.”
 

STC Student of the Week Dominique Sepulveda

South Texas College Starr County campus Social Work student Dominique Sepulveda found inspiration for her career after listening to a family member’s own life experience.

“My cousin is a social worker and she has told my family many stories about how she helps people,” Sepulveda, 18, said. “It inspired me, and I really want to work with kids that need the help.”

Sepulveda said she knew she wanted to stay close to home for school and chose STC after learning about the college’s Social Work program from a friend.

Social workers provide support and advocacy to those who have personal and social problems. With an associate degree in Social Work from STC, students will be prepared to work in a variety of public and private social service settings, organizations and agencies that offer counseling services to children and families, victims of domestic violence, people with disabilities, pregnant teenagers, and many other special populations.

“I feel like everyone needs a chance in life to become someone for themselves,” Sepulveda said. “That’s why I want to work with kids who are in need of help or need a guide or mentor. I think I can make a difference.”

This is Sepulveda’s first semester at STC, and she said along with her classes, she’s also enjoying discovering different clubs on campus. She hopes interacting with other students in campus organizations like the Ascender Program, a program that provides academic, emotional and community support for Latinx and other underserved community college students, will help broaden her views for her future career.

“Joining in helps me learn about different backgrounds of people,” Sepulveda said. “I’m getting to know where they come from and understanding how they live.”

Sepulveda said she feels connected to her community, and is appreciative to her family for the support they’ve offered her.

“My parents motivate me to be the best person I can be,” she said. “The Star County community is very different from other areas; we’re very close. I want to make a difference and my goal is to come back to help the community I grew up in.”

For more information on STC’s Social Work program, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/social-work/.