Overcoming the Odds: Anthony Thomas Jones’ Path to an MSW

“I think the word “journey” does best describe my experience here at the School of Social Work,” Anthony Thomas Jones says when asked to describe his time at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work. Anthony finished his BSW in December of 2023, and returned in September 2024 to start his MSW.

During the course of his BSW, Anthony experienced a series of challenges which shaped his experience and growth. He now shares a bit of them in hopes of inspiring others going through similar challenges to keep moving forward.

“During my time here I encountered many deaths in my family, financial collapse, emotional chaos, relational turbulence,” he describes. “And if that was not enough, I also was immature. I was not ready for the opportunity that was right in front of me.” Those experiences, he admits, “derailed me from my personal goal by more than seven years.”

“However,” he continues, “I grew in that time. I realized how much of a passion I had for this field and for helping others. I desperately wanted to get back to an environment that was based on positivity and hope.

So here I am,” he says. “I took classes here. Classes there. All while working at times 60 hours a week. Having to work for the opportunity makes me appreciate it so much more than I did seven years ago.”

The support of his peers and staff played a significant role in Anthony’s success. “My peers were beyond supportive,” he recalls. “I remember a time when I could not get home to see my family because I did not have the money. I came into class one day and one of my classmates handed me a card. They expressed their support and had raised some money for me to have enough gas to see my family for the holiday.

I also remember emotionally at times I was a wreck, but I was trying to hold on. People like Dr. Janet Carter-Black, Aaron Surratt, or Sherrie Faulkner just always took the time to go the extra mile.

That’s not an all-inclusive list, by the way. Even at times when I may have been combative in my youth, my professors gave me the space to grow and challenged me to be better. Overall,” he concludes, “support is always overflowing in this place.”

On the topic of his MSW, Anthony says he had always wanted to get his MSW from the start. “Being adopted I got to experience the “superpower” of a social worker, and that was pivotal,” he says. “As I got older, God really blessed me with the skills to counsel and communicate. I knew coming here would help me sharpen those skills and learn from endless years of knowledge and research. I know I will not know everything there is to know about social work. However, I do know I will be prepared when I leave this place.”

He continues, “This time around it feels exhilarating. I have worked factory jobs, lawn care, and hard physical labor jobs in my hiatus. The chance to do what I love, help those who are hurting, and then get paid to do it…. what is there not to be excited about.”

Despite his past experiences, Anthony firmly believes they don’t define or imprison him. Instead, they have shaped him to be who he is today and will serve him in his career as a social worker. “The hurt and hurdles have honestly made me stronger. I think that it has given me insight into the people that I will have the chance of serving,” he says.

“People are hurting. Sometimes they give it all they got, and it’s still not enough. Often, all they need is just a little help. Knowing what that feels like to need help will allow me to empathize with authenticity. It is that authentic empathy that I believe is a game changer for my future.”