Chicago internship
02/02/2024
Trin Borgman鈥檚 vocation was confirmed through experiences at The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center and Lima City Schools.
Borgman is ready to make an impact
Trin Borgman has always been interested in social justice issues and helping people. However, she never considered how those passions could translate into a career until she struggled with choosing a major during her senior year of high school.
鈥淢y dad actually brought up social work to me, said Borgman 鈥24, of Southern Point, Ohio, 鈥淚 ended up taking Intro to Social Work here in my first year, and I loved it.鈥
Officially a social work and psychology double major at 小优传媒, Borgman鈥檚 vocation was further confirmed during a field experience last semester at Lima City Schools.
鈥淚 filled in for mentors who may have been sick or who had to miss a day, so I got to meet a whole bunch of different kids,鈥 explained Borgman. 鈥淭hey were all super sweet, and it was a really good experience.鈥
Now, she鈥檚 considering a career in school social work but will further explore her options at the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture (CCULC) during the fall 2024 semester. Through the program, students from partner schools including Bluffton, live together and learn about the city, its neighborhoods and its history while completing internships, field experiences or practicums. Borgman is ready to take on a new challenge.
鈥淚鈥檝e never lived in a big city, so I think it鈥檚 important to have that experience,鈥 said Borgman. 鈥淐hicago is culturally diverse, and it鈥檚 important as a social worker to better understand and immerse yourself in new experiences.鈥
Until then, Borgman is making the most of her final semester on Bluffton鈥檚 campus. She works as a student assistant in The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center and likes spending time with the Bluffton Elementary students who participate in the center鈥檚 Teaching Peace to Children program and others who just stop in.
鈥淚 really enjoy teaching younger generations,鈥 said Borgman. 鈥淪omething I learned, especially in my psychology classes, is that so much of who you become as an adult is impacted by the experiences you have as a kid.鈥
Borgman is also a hall chaplain for the ministry team, a member of PEACE Club and president of Social Work Club.
鈥淪omething unique that鈥檚 happened this school year is the majority of freshman who joined Social Work Club aren鈥檛 social work majors,鈥 she explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really cool because we get a lot of different perspectives, and it shows that there are people outside of the social work major who have these ideas of helping people and advocating for others.鈥
In her free-time, Borgman enjoys spending time outdoors, especially at the Bluffton University Nature Preserve. When the weather is warm, you鈥檒l find her kayaking in the pond or hiking the trails. The nature on campus is one reason she chose Bluffton.
鈥淚鈥檝e always been a person who likes nature, and in the fall, Bluffton is just really gorgeous,鈥 said Borgman. 鈥淏ut there鈥檚 also that closeness on campus. Even though I don鈥檛 know everyone personally, I would say I know at least two-thirds of the student body, and I鈥檝e made really good connections with the professors. I feel like I can just go into their offices when they are available and just talk to them about anything.鈥
Following graduation, she plans to gain hands-on experience and work for at least a year before earning her Master of Social Work.
