A Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Workforce Development Summit participant from Lawson State Community College has plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work and establish a well-known practice.
Ashya Muhammad, an upcoming graduate studying cosmetology, salon management and business, will finish with a certificate and associate degree by the end of the summer but she already has plans reaching into the future.
“In seven years, I see myself running my own nonprofit organization focused on teaching children about the importance of self-awareness and mental health,” Muhammad said. “I also envision myself graduating with a master’s in social work and taking the first steps toward starting my own well-known practice.”
Muhammad is already taking steps to make her nonprofit dreams a reality.
“The steps I’m taking to get there include working with nonprofits to gain experience, meeting new people and learning from community leaders about the challenges and rewards of the journey,” she said.
She began preparation for her master’s degree, as well.
“I started preparing in high school by participating in various workshops, meeting different social workers to gain diverse perspectives and completing internships to better understand the field,” Muhammad said.
Her teachers at Lawson State motivated her to attend the Workforce Development Summit.
“After reading the description of the event, the opportunity of being able to be surrounded by peers who are also seeking the workforce as a career is something I knew I couldn’t miss out on,” she said.
Muhammad, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, hopes to grow her network and make connections while at the conference.
“I hope to connect with any industry or company that supports DEI, allows me to help the community and somewhere I can grow as an individual and make my teamwork skills stronger,” she said. “I’m also hoping it provides me with exposure to industry leaders, key decision-makers and to receive guidance on how to progress in my chosen fields while learning about new career paths.”
Lawson State is a historically Black community college (HBCC) and one of the newest members of TMCF. Muhammad is adamant about the experience she’s had there.
“I believe my HBCC, Lawson State Community College, provides a chance for me to meet peers, mentors and potential clients or employers,” Muhammad said. “I have also been able to participate in a variety of workshops and seminars.”
