We love interns at Wolverine Human Services, and are proud to partner with 12 colleges and universities as a field placement site. We believe that one of the most important ways we can impact our field is by helping to grow and develop the next generation of professionals.

Are you interested in an internship with us? Reach out at: contactwolverine@wolverinehs.org

Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Briana, who is exploring the macro side of social work!

Meet BrianaName: Briana Coleman

Which WHS Program you work in: Evaluation services

Level of Education: Master’s in Social Work candidate

Area of Study: Social Work, Public Policy

University or College: University of Michigan

Hometown: Hamtramck, Michigan

Fun fact about you: I am obsessed with monkeys and dogs. I would love to have both as a pet.

Why did you choose your area of study?

I am interested in reducing systemic oppression and providing resources in low-income communities to do so. I intend to work in policy and program evaluation and reform as a way to provide better resources to larger and smaller scale communities. I am very interested in improving the educational system and working to increase quality educational access to low-income communities. In return I intend to assist in reducing cyclical patterns of poverty and juvenile justice involvement.

What do you find most interesting about your internship at Wolverine Human Services?

Wolverine works with a large population of minority youth and youth who are battling cultural barriers resulting in juvenile justice involvement. I am interested in evaluating their programs, considering they’re the largest child welfare organization in Michigan, to help them improve or add services to their organization. I am interested in being a part of the organization to help them reach their organizational, community, and client goals. I intend to use my time at WHS to learn as much as possible about juvenile justice and community partnerships, any policy implications from their data and practices, as well as effective evaluation tools to help WHS continue to grow.

What inspiration do you draw from the youth and/or staff at Wolverine Human Services?

I have not had much contact with the youth but intend to use my experiences with them in the near future to help me remain grounded in my mission to help low-income communities. I come from a low-income background and am still learning to navigate culturally in society so in knowing a part of the struggle, the youth inspires me to continuously work toward improving the services that are affecting their growth at WHS through evaluation practice.

What else should we know about you?

I am a person who loves adventure and laughter. I intend to travel the world and visit the most impoverished communities, as well as the most popular places, to remain grounded and expand my knowledge in my field of work. My work is my passion and I intend to continuously grow to broaden my skills and life perception. Overall, I am simply a curious, motivated, humorous person.