NCC Human Services Grad Earns Bachelor’s and Lands Dream Job
Carly Powers knew what she wanted from the beginning of her college journey. “Obtaining a position with New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services was my goal when I started college at NCC in 2017,” she said.
At Nashua Community College she studied Human Services and earned her 2-year associate degree in 2019. While she said enrolling in college as an adult learner was daunting, she found a supportive environment at NCC.
“I'm grateful that it was a smooth, supportive process because my time here gave me a lot of hope and confidence regarding my future.”
The human services degree included real-world experience, and Carly chose Reality Check, an agency promoting drug prevention in the Monadnock Region. The field work included office and communication tasks, as well as working with at-risk youth and developing support systems for families.
“The community work was easily the most engaging,” Carly said. Working with students was the highlight, she said, “The kids are easy to talk to; it’s a lot more facilitating on my part to get them to talk to each other.” Youth in the program are considered high risk, meaning they may have an incarcerated parent, their parents may have overdosed, or they might be living with relatives due to their parents’ involvement with drugs.
The opioid epidemic in New Hampshire has impacted thousands in the state in recent years with the death toll among the worst in the nation. Agencies like Reality Check are more important now than ever. After Carly’s internship ended, she stayed on as a volunteer throughout her time at NCC.
After NCC, Carly transferred to New England College to complete her bachelor’s degree in Human Services.
“I think everyone in this field is driven to do it for a reason. There’s a need for good people in the world.”
Carly never lost sight of her career goal, and began her career as a child protective service worker after graduating from New England College in 2021. “My advice to students would be to set a goal, and work around the clock to achieve it. Find your calling, and live for it. Be patient, but be persistent, and refuse to settle for anything short of that goal.”
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