Angela Gonzalez, BSW ’25, completed her internship at PACE Inc. Center for Independent Living, an organization offering services to assist persons with disabilities in achieving and/or maintaining independence. PACE covers a multitude of services—including low-vision independent living skills, peer counseling, deaf services and youth and adult transition—and has taught Angela a number of new skills, while letting her put what she’s learned in the classroom into practice.

“I have had a great experience at PACE,” Angela shares when asked to describe her internship. “In the months before starting my field placement, I was very nervous about not knowing what to expect or the possibility of feeling out of place in a new environment. I was about to jump into a whole new experience for several months. However, right when I started, the staff at PACE were incredibly kind and welcoming. I was in an environment where I was comfortable to work, ask questions, and express any concerns.”

No new experience is without its challenges. For Angela, one such challenge was coming out of her shell when it came to interacting with people outside of the PACE team, such as making calls to clients or other organizations. “I was nervous about not being able to completely assist them with what they needed or not having all the answers,” she describes.

What helped her overcome her hesitation was reminding herself that, “I am an intern who is still learning, and if I did not know the answer to a question, then it is perfectly fine to give myself some time to discuss with a supervisor.”

Angela kept reminding herself that the goal was for the consumer to receive what they need to continue their daily living in peace, and it kept her going through her nerves.

There have been plenty of meaningful moments for Angela during her time at PACE, but the ones she remembers most are when she was to directly assist PACE clients. “There was one instance where I was to reach out to different resources around the area to find items that a consumer of ours was looking for. The process took a couple of weeks, but ultimately, the consumer ended up receiving what they needed. This was my first success at my internship site, and it is one that has stuck with me.”

A big focus of her team was applying for grants, which led Angela to interactions outside of the phone and virtual. Angela described the experience of visiting the Champaign Public Library and meeting with a librarian to discuss searching for grants. “[We discussed] the process of selecting specific opportunities that could benefit the agency,” she recalls. “This was something I had never done before, so it was fascinating to be a part of this process.”

Angela was part of the team that applied for—and secured—the Orange Krush grant, which supports services like rent and utility assistance. As Angela learned during the process, not all applications look the same, and each requires constant dedication. “Before applying for a grant, it is important to make sure that it is one that aligns with your agency’s goals and could benefit it,” she shares of her experience. “Since it is a process that could take up a lot of time and effort, it is important to do research on who the grant could benefit.”

Being out in the field allowed Angela to learn new skills she did not consider while studying in the classroom. “I always envisioned myself in a setting that didn’t involve any macro-level work,” she says. “This was a big aspect while at PACE, especially during the grant application process. I truly underestimated the importance of macro-level work in an environment that directly assists individuals. As my supervisors explained what the grants would be used for–rent assistance, utility assistance, medication co-pay assistance, and more–I realized how important the grants are not just for the agency itself, but for the consumers to receive their needed services. I realized that even if I don’t plan on working in a macro-level environment, that perspective may be needed in any environment anyway.”

Mary Griffith, Angela’s field supervisor at PACE and MSW alum ’22, shared how the experience of applying for a grant was new to her as well. “We learned together, and it was a great experience to learn and gain new skills alongside Angela!” She says. “I think Angela gained a great understanding of macro-level work and the importance of data-driven work in order to better assist consumers obtain what they need to thrive on a micro-level.”

Angela graduated with her BSW in May 2025, and is on her way to the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) for the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. “I am going to be doing a field placement again right when I get started there, which is something I am nervous but also excited about,” she shares. “Currently, my top choice is to complete my field placement in a hospital setting. While I remain open to exploring different areas of social work, being a part of a hospital environment has been something that has interested me for a while now, so I would love to have the opportunity to experience this soon.”

Mary hopes that the internship experience provided Angela with the skills and confidence she needs to work with people from all walks of life and backgrounds. 

“While classroom and book learning are incredibly important,” she says, “my own internship experience at PACE showed me that I can be competent from a social work perspective by interacting with a multitude of individuals and assisting them in whatever way is needed to improve their quality of life.

Social work is not always about being perfect in every modality/technique,” she shares. “Most of the time, it comes down to listening and making people feel valued and heard regardless of their circumstances. It was my goal as a supervisor to pass this on to Angela, and the confidence and skills I gained as an intern at PACE, as her first real professional experience.

She gained tremendous confidence and skill by the end of her internship at PACE,” she praises. “I am confident she will continue to grow in any capacity she chooses.”