Meet Raashida Birmingham: 2021 MSW Clinical Intern of the Year

Congratulations to Raashida Birmingham, the Garland School of Social Work’s 2021 MSW Clinical Intern of the Year.

Like many others, Raashida did not first choose social work. However, after an internship with Healthy Families Florida, a program that “improves childhood outcomes and increases family self-sufficiency by empowering parents through education and community support,” Raashida said her supervisor at Healthy Families suggested the profession of social work to her.

“I am thankful for this suggestion because social work is definitely my calling. I love working with and serving others and am very passionate about having the opportunity to do that every day as a career,” Raashida said.

Raashida said that she loves working in diverse populations and in diverse environments and has learned so much during her time in her field placements/internships.

The energy Raashida brought on a daily basis was felt by both her students and her colleagues, and her continued efforts to better understand have resulted in gaining her students’ trust. She is a lifelong learner, and it will be exciting to see where her passions take her.

“My first internship at Florida State University was with a hospice agency. I loved working with the elderly and getting to experience life from their perspective and insights,” Raashida said. “My second internship was working with refugee high school students at the International Rescue Committee [in Dallas]. I loved working with such diversity. I truly learned the value in advocacy and understanding how policy plays a major role in shifting the dynamics of systems that effect social justice.”
Raashida valued her field work so much and recognizes the importance of it, she even participated on the GSSW’s Field Education Advisory Council, just another act of service to others for Raashida.

Once she decided social work would be her path in life, Raashida chose to earn her MSW degree from the Garland School of Social Work because of the flexibility of the online program, the potential to get her MSW in one year, and because of some of School of Social Work’s specific-to-Baylor emphases.

“I liked the idea about building skills in the ethical integration of faith and practice. Faith is a strength that empowers people toward change,” Raashida said.

One colleague of Raashida’s said “the energy Raashida brought on a daily basis was felt by both her students and her colleagues,” and “her continued efforts to better understand have resulted in gaining her students’ trust. She is a lifelong learner, and it will be exciting to see where her passions take her after graduation.”

Congratulations, Raashida! We are so proud of the work you have done and the work you will still yet do. #sicem