When Brenna Huntley, originally from Wolfville, Nova Scotia, attended the University of New Brunswick's (UNB) Saint John campus for orientation, she expected to get the credits she needed to apply to obtain a bachelor of social work degree and move her life to another city in pursuit of the degree.
But that day at orientation, Huntley was met with a happy stroke of serendipity when an announcement was made: UNB would be establishing its own bachelor of social work (BSW) program on the Saint John campus.
"I had a feeling after that orientation I was right where I needed to be," said Huntley, who moved to Saint John in 2022.
"It was crazy how everything fell into place."
A graduate of NBCC's Human Service Practitioner program, Huntley had been providing housing and outreach services as a personal support worker when a friend's decision to further her education sparked her interest in social work.
Huntley's experience reflects the broader excitement surrounding the BSW program, launched to meet the growing demand for social workers in the Saint John region.
The program is already filling a critical gap by training students who plan to stay and work in their communities.
For Huntley, staying in Saint John and continuing her education in social work wasn't just a professional decision, but a personal one.
"It lifted such a weight off my shoulders, knowing I could stay in Saint John," she said. "It's like it fell into my lap. When it came time to apply, I was like, it's UNB Saint John or bust.
"This is where I want to be."
Filling a critical need
Ian Rice, the program's director and an associate professor of social work was instrumental in developing the curriculum and ensuring that the inaugural cohort of 33 would be well-supported. Rice emphasizes the importance of the program in addressing the chronic shortage of social workers across the region.
"What's exciting about this program is that most of the students are from the Saint John area. They have families here; they're embedded in the community, and they plan to stay. This is exactly the kind of local investment we need."
For Rice, the program's potential extends beyond simply filling job vacancies. He hopes the education provided will inspire graduates to pursue further studies and advocate for systemic changes in the field.
"We're not just preparing students for immediate work in the field," Rice said. "We're giving them the tools to think critically about policy and to advocate for broader social change."
Experiential learning from day one
One of the key components of the BSW program is its emphasis on practical, hands-on learning. Students like Huntley began field placements right away, gaining invaluable experience in local agencies and community organizations.
Natasha Bass is the program's field education coordinator and an assistant teaching professor. She brings more than 24 years of experience as a social worker to the role and is thrilled to see students embracing their placements, working on real-world projects that address some of the region's most pressing social issues.
"There's a lot that goes into creating a placement. It's not just about placing students it's about finding a good fit and ensuring they're prepared for the challenges they'll face," Bass said.
"They are starting with project-based work, focusing on understanding social issues within their agencies before moving on to solution-oriented interventions in their second semester."
The placements are designed to give students a broad understanding of challenges social workers face in Saint John, from long waitlists for addiction services to school exclusion policies affecting at-risk youth.
These experiences provide the foundation for students to make a real difference in their community while building the skills needed for a successful career in social work.
A culture of support
For Huntley, the camaraderie among her classmates and the structure of the BSW program has been a highlight. She finds comfort in the diversity of experiences her peers bring to the table, with some coming from NBCC, others from UNB's Fredericton campus, and some, like her, from a combination of both.
"It's been really interesting meeting people with different backgrounds," said Huntley. "But we all have a connection because it's social work there's already a sense of camaraderie.
"We're in this together for the next two years, and that's creating a really supportive environment."
Despite her prior experience in the field, Huntley knows she has much to learn before entering the field as a trained social worker. She's confident the program's structure and curriculum will set her up with the skills she needs to thrive personally and professionally and is quick to recognize the importance of professional reflection in social work a key theme in the program.
"There's definitely a bit of imposter syndrome," Huntley laughed. "But there's also an expectation in social work that we need to advocate for ourselves and reflect on whether we're going where we want to. It's part of the process."
With a mix of enthusiasm, hands-on experience and a strong sense of community, the bachelor of social work program at UNB Saint John is already making an impact, both for its students and for the broader community.
As Huntley and her classmates look ahead, the real-world skills they're gaining today are preparing them to become the next generation of social workers rooted in New Brunswick and ready to make a difference.
