SocialWork@Simmons Student Spotlight: Alberto Chang

Name: Alberto Chang
Program Type: Extended
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts

SocialWork@Simmons student Alberto Chang is pursuing his MSW with a Child and Family specialization to become a psychotherapist. Originally from Boston, he has a Bachelor of Science in accounting and management information systems from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Columbia University. After spending 20 years in the business world, Alberto decided to follow his passion and enroll in Simmons’s online program. In the following Q&A, we asked Alberto about his experience, motivation, and plans for future.

What drew you to apply to SocialWork@Simmons and why did you ultimately choose the program?

For me the convenience of an online program fit my busy lifestyle. I ultimately chose Simmons because of the ability to focus on a specific interest area. The school’s reputation and the program’s flexibility were a bonus.

What are the professional or volunteer experiences that strengthened your desire to become a professional clinical social worker?

I grew up in a lower social economic class as a first-generation immigrant. I chose the business field to become economically stable, but I have not forgotten the struggles I endured. I continue to help others when I can. I like to give back to my community. I am still close friends with my Little Brother from the Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City. It’s been almost 20 years since I met him. By being a mentor to him, I saw the benefit of being a peer adviser to someone who is disadvantaged.

What are the social advocacy movements or causes that most interest and inspire you?

Many movements are important to me: LGBT causes because I am a member of a group that experiences discrimination and harassment; children with mental illnesses because my stepson is one; and poor families because I grew up in a poor family and now I have my own son. I really struggle to understand how single parents from working-class families can do it all.

What is your favorite part of the program?

The faculty and the students. I am extremely impressed by the deep knowledge the members of the faculty have. Their ability to teach, flexibility, understanding, and availability makes developing professional relationships with these future mentors easy. The student body is great. I have had the pleasure to meet other smart and talented colleagues from near and far, and I am so excited to go into the social work field with them.

What is the SocialWork@Simmons classroom experience like?

It is incredible what technology has brought to the learning experience. The asynchronous materials allow us to have traditional lectures supplemented by interactive participation between the instructor and students. The technology platform allows us to learn from multiple media sources. There are links to movie and TV clips, YouTube postings, prerecorded interviews, and prerecorded vignettes to illustrate what we are learning. Furthermore, our professors have embraced the technology and are teaching us using approaches that are far more efficient online than in person. These approaches include breakout rooms, white boards, and the ability to share the professor’s screen.

What has surprised you most about the program?

The workload. Just because the program is online, doesn’t mean that the program is lighter. There is plenty of reading material, and it takes a significant time commitment to produce high-quality work.

What are you most excited for in the program?

The friends I am making around the country!

What is something important you have learned through your SocialWork@Simmons experience so far?

Based on the six courses I have completed so far, the program has reaffirmed that I am making the right career choice.

Do you have any advice for future MSW candidates?

My biggest advice is to cultivate the relationships with the Simmons network. These professors will serve as invaluable mentors in the future. Your fellow students will be peers that will be located across the country. It would be a waste to attend classes and not take the time to develop friendships.

Anything else we should know about you?

I am an online learning convert. The online program can be as rigorous and challenging as the on-campus education. However, the best part is you can attend class in the comfort of your own home or office — and not have to commute to class!