From Classroom to Career: A Mount Mercy Graduate’s Journey

Mount Mercy University’s strong sense of community and faculty support had a big impact on Elizabeth Jensen ’22 and her decision to attend school on the Hill, helping to shape her future career in social work.

Elizabeth fell in love with the small campus in the middle of Cedar Rapids. Its proximity to her hometown of Marengo, Iowa, was a major factor, but ultimately it was the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with professors that truly drew her in.

“I came from a small school, so I enjoyed having connections with teachers,” Elizabeth explained. “That was important to me when I looked into colleges.”

When deciding what major to focus on, Elizabeth aways knew she wanted to help people and have an influence on the lives of others. Initially, she began her college career in the education program, believing that becoming a preschool teacher was the best way to leave a lasting impact. However, after her freshman year, she realized that teaching wasn’t the way she wanted to help people and decided to change her major to social work.

That decision was further solidified by Associate Professor of Social Work Joni Howland. Joni shared her knowledge and expertise of the social work program with Elizabeth, helping her realize it was the perfect fit.

“The professors showed great support to me when I changed programs,” Elizabeth said. “They were all very approachable and I felt like I could go to them whenever I needed help with decisions or just someone to talk with.”

Elizabeth was involved in a variety of on-campus activities, including the Social Work Club and the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). These experiences allowed her to further engage with peers and build leadership skills that would serve her well in her career.

The connections she made at Mount Mercy, including relationships with classmates, professors, and community agencies, have helped shape and guide her to be the person she is today. It’s these connections that pushed her to succeed despite any setbacks that she faced. She specifically mentioned professors Nate Klein, Joni Howland, April Dirks, and Kelle McCory as being influential during her time on the Hill.

“All of these people talked me through many areas of life and were there to support me," Elizabeth stated. “They all encouraged me to continue on my path and provided a listening ear when needed.”

Today, Elizabeth works as a care coordinator at Milestones Adult Day Health Center in Marion. In this position, her tasks range from attending meetings and scheduling people, to assisting individuals when they need help. No two days are the same. She was also fortunate to complete one of her field practicums at Milestones, so she credits Mount Mercy for the opportunity.

“Mount Mercy provided me with the education and skills to work in a professional setting with participants, coworkers, and caregivers,” she explained.

When asked what advice she would give to current students, she had some powerful words to share: “You can do hard things,” she exclaimed. “Never be afraid to ask for help.”

For those currently navigating their college journey, Elizabeth lets it be known that it’s OK to change paths, seek support, and always be open to the opportunities that come your way because they might not come up again.