How do you achieve your goals? Ashley Utsuro says hard work, determination, no sleep and coffee are mandatory ingredients in her recipe for success.
Ashley, 27, is from Harare in Zimbabwe. She’s in the third year of her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), which she is studying at SACAP’s Cape Town Campus.
Ashley is admired for her academic excellence and dedication and is popular with her peers and educators. We jumped at the opportunity to tell her story.
Starting Out
“I came to South Africa six years ago,” she tells us when we hook up with her. “I did a digital marketing short course at UCT but struggled to get accepted into a university degree.”
“After hearing about SACAP, I applied and was accepted on my first try!” she exclaims, adding that by that stage, she was 25.
Hardwired to help
Ashley says her seedling desire to help others took root in her grade 11 year at school. “In Zimbabwe, June 16 is the Day of the African Child, marking the start of the Children’s Parliament. It was established in 1991 for youth to voice their challenges,” she explains.
“Each year, students from high schools compete, with one chosen from each district. I was honoured to serve as the Junior Member of Parliament for Kuwadzana Eastern District from 2016 to 2017.”
This experience taught Ashely the importance of empowering youth to advocate for their rights, she says. Consequently, her desire to help others has germinated into a full-hearted passion.
“My dream job is to be an international policy analyst,” she says. “I want to contribute to systemic change and policies that do not oppress people.”
Ashley’s magnanimity prompted her to enrol in SACAP’s BSW degree. “I know it sounds like a bit of a cliché, but I’m driven for another reason,” she admits. “There was a point in my life when I wish I’d had a social worker to help me.”
College credentials
“I chose SACAP because I liked the small classes,” Ashley says. “Interacting with only 25 people facilitates a more intimate learning environment.”
“SACAP’s course material offers a deeper understanding that goes beyond theory. It encourages critical thinking,” Ashley continues. “And I think the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is superb!” “SACAP’s WIL coordinator went out of her way to provide placements that aligned with our interests,” she adds. “From my very first year at SACAP, my practical fieldwork exposure informed everything I learnt in class. WIL has been an incredibly valuable experience.”
Flourishing fieldwork
Ashley excelled at her placement site, Arise Family, where her supervisors –and peers placed there, too – have praised her blossoming expertise.
“Arise Family is a faith-based family-focused organisation that aims to see every child thrive in the communities in which they live,” Ashley explains. “My internship at Arise had the greatest impact on my personal and professional development. It’s where I discovered my passion for group support and community work.”
Raw talent
Ashley’s efforts in communities with challenging conditions like Manenberg showcase her skill and resilience. For example, she completed a court report under supervision and her recommendations, made on behalf of her client, significantly influenced the outcome.
This ability to steer through elaborate legal processes was a consequence of the support she received at Arise, Ashley asserts. “My supervisors helped me navigate a lot of the complexities.”
Balancing act
The BSW is currently offered as a four-year full-time programme. Since Ashley is in her third year of study, we’re curious to discover how flexible she has found the course so far and whether moonlighting on the side is possible.
“On the weekends, I work remotely as an on-call administrator for a UK company that provides carers and support workers to various organisations,” Ashely says.
Juggling her field placement, classes and work was quite a struggle, she admits. Impressively, though, she completed 300 practical hours during the first six months of this year.
“This term, I have only two classes that are two hours long on Monday and Tuesday. Since I have completed my placement for the year, I use the rest of my time to study, write assignments and then work on the weekend,” she notes. “As far as earning money and studying goes, I think it differs depending on what jobs other students have. For me, it’s hard work, determination and coffee!” Ashley exclaims.
Looking ahead
Before wrapping up our conversation, Ashley said she chose to study in South Africa because her family moved to this country. “I don’t plan to take my degree home, unfortunately, as I feel there are many opportunities here.”
She’s positive about her prospects. “I pride myself in being a lifelong learner,” she says. “Five years from now, I aim to be doing my PhD and carving out a career in community work or policy development.”
Beyond borders
The WIL component of Ashley’s degree ignited her passion for group work and enabled her to make an impact even before graduation. Why not align your passion and purpose, too?
If, like Ashley, you’re driven by a commitment to seeing every child have equal opportunities, then SACAP’s Bachelor of Social Work is a good avenue to explore.
Good news if you don’t live in South Africa: SACAP plans to offer the BSW degree online soon. For more information, get in touch.
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