Greater Allegheny social work student advocates for youth services in internship

McKEESPORT, Pa. — A great internship gives a student meaningful work that aligns with their values and helps shape their sense of professional and personal identity. For Tomisha Pierce, a social work student at Penn State Greater Allegheny, that meant stepping into roles where she could advocate for youth, support them through challenges, and help them understand and express who they are and want to become.

Pierce completed her internships at Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) and Passport Academy Charter School, working under supervisors Chevell White and Eunice Stover, with faculty social work adviser Kiera Mallett.

At CYF, she worked in the Child Welfare and Social Services Department, focusing on child protection, foster care and adoption, family support and reunification, and assessing child safety and well-being. She attended team meetings, case reviews and court hearings, gaining hands-on experience with child welfare laws, policies and best practices. Under supervision, she supported family service plans and documented interviews and assessments with children and families, learning how to balance empathy with professionalism.

“My personal and professional growth within this internship helped me to demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors,” Pierce said. “I’ve developed confidence in my abilities to apply ethical principles, manage professional boundaries, and effectively communicate with diverse individuals.”

She then completed her first 200 internship hours at Passport Academy, an alternative high school for students pursuing nontraditional paths to graduation. There, she advocated for students facing academic and personal challenges, helping them articulate their identities, identify support systems, and access community resources.

“I truly enjoyed my time at Passport Academy and CYF,” Pierce said. “The staff were welcoming and supportive, and the experience allowed me to grow, learn, and build confidence in my role. I’m grateful for the mentorship I received and the opportunity to contribute to a community dedicated to empowering students.”

Pierce encouraged other students preparing for internships to approach the experience with openness and confidence.

“Internships can be scary at first,” she said. “I would tell other students to be yourself, stay open-minded, always be willing to ask questions, accept feedback, and try to build new skills.

Penn State Greater Allegheny gives students real-world experience through internships that put classroom learning into action, build confidence, and help explore career paths with guidance from experienced mentors. Schedule a visit today and learn how the campus helps students earn a degree while gaining hands-on experience.

Employers interested in providing students with internship opportunities can submit information through Greater Allegheny's internship opportunity form or email Rosemary Martinelli, internship director, at rum31@psu.edu.  All the details don't need to be figured out, just have a good idea and willingness to guide a student.