Q&A with Erika Gaitan ’13, City Year Scholar

Each year, Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) offers three scholarships to a City Year member or alumnus who provided at least one year of service to City Year.  Texas-native Erika Gaitan ’13 was selected from an international pool of candidates for a BUSSW “Give a Year” Scholarship for outstanding academic merit and commitment to service in her graduating year.

Erika began working full-time at Health Resources in Action as a Research Associate. Currents caught up with Erika to learn more about how her City Year experience propelled her into the field of social work.

Why did you choose Boston University School of Social Work?
Originally, I got into the program in 2012 actually. I was really drawn to the school’s mission and I knew I was going to be a macro person. BU’s faculty in macro practice were really people I wanted to work with—professors like Lee Staples and Melvin Delgado. But I couldn’t afford to attend at that time, so I deferred.

So, you took some time off to complete a year of service with City Year?
I met Ken Schulman (Associate Dean) at a BUSSW event in Austin, Texas. He recommended applying to the City Year program and told me about the scholarship opportunity for alumni of the program. I got in [to City Year] and decided to take the opportunity—I was really passionate about educational equity and City Year seemed like the perfect route. I wanted to get more experience in education reform and community practice. I participated in City Year in San Antonio from 2012-2013.

What was your initial transition to BU like?
Moving to the East Coast and Boston specifically really forced me to confront myself. I mean, the weather, the language, moving from a minority-majority state… all of these things propelled me forward. I really became more interested in race, identity, and intersectionality after moving here.

What interests you about macro practice?
I really enjoy looking at things from the balcony—bigger picture stuff. I’m definitely a strategic thinker. And I’m also interested in the management side of things—which is why I decided to pursue a Human Services Management Certificate here at BUSSW. I think combining the values of social work with a fact for business—to be equipped with those skills is a great asset. I always tell prospective students to look into the Human Services Management Certificate!

Why’s that?
You take all of your electives over at the School of Management. It’s just very interesting to be sitting in courses with folks from such a different background—to be able to get that experience, it’s very useful. Plus, you still pay SSW tuition! 

Did you have a favorite SSW course?
I really loved Melvin Delgado’s Planning and Program Development Seminar—it was an intimate class and he really has a way of explaining things. I really respect the work that he does. Another class I really loved was Racial Justice with Michelle Walsh.

Outside of the classroom, what kinds of work were you involved in?
I was a research assistant at the Boston University Center for Addictions Research & Services.  One project I was working on with examining how technology can reduce relapse among Latinos with substance abuse and mental illness with Renee Spencer. I was a Program Coordinator at Zumix—an East Boston nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through music. I was actually a music major at Texas State—I played the saxophone. I enjoy working with kids and getting them to be civically engaged and think more critically about the world around them.

Boston University School of Social Work Partnership with City Year
Each year, Boston University School of Social Work offers three scholarships to a City Year member or alumnus who provided at least one year of service to City Year.  City Year is an education-focused nonprofit organization, based in Boston that partners with high need public schools to provide full-time targeted student interventions.