Reflecting on my two-year journey in the Department of Social Work at St. Xavier's University, Kolkata with HRDM specialization has been nothing short of remarkable. I am truly grateful to the Department for the invaluable contributions of the dedicated faculty members who have played a pivotal role in shaping my academic journey. The unique specialization embedded within the curriculum adds significant value in this competitive professional landscape, allowing students to delve deeper into their chosen areas of interest.

One standout feature of my experience was the practical exposure gained by working with esteemed organizations such as CRY (Child Rights and You) and C3 (Centre for Catalyzing Change). Additionally, as a Human Resource Development and Management intern at the prestigious Indian PSU, Balmer Lawrie and Co. Ltd, I honed my skills and gained invaluable insights into the Human Resource Development and Management domain. The department's commitment to holistic education was evident through initiatives like the rural camp program, providing intensive fieldwork exposures that brought real-time understanding to the theoretical concepts learned in class.

This journey at Department of Social Work, St. Xavier's University has been a comprehensive exploration, covering the spectrum from knowledge inculcation to professional growth. The Department has truly been the bedrock of my personal and professional development. The emphasis on discipline has not only contributed to my academic success but has also prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I will always cherish the Xaverian spirit, as it is rightly said, 'once a Xaverian, always a Xaverian'.

I am Anoushka Das, a proud alumnus of the Department of Social Work at St. Xavier's University Kolkata. As a student of the Department of Social Work, my academic journey has been nothing short of transformative. I embarked on this educational adventure in 2021, navigating the challenges of online learning before seamlessly transitioning to the vibrant world of offline classes.

The Department of Social Work at St Xavier's is more than an academic entity; it is a nurturing ground for holistic development. The department's curriculum, carefully designed to emphasize the practical application of social work principles, has been a cornerstone of my academic success. The guidance and mentorship I have received from faculty members have been instrumental in shaping my academic and professional development, providing insight and support beyond the confines of the classroom.

St. Xavier's University is renowned for its commitment to fostering a spirit of service and social responsibility. Working with esteemed NGOs allowed me to bridge the gap between theory and practice, reinforcing classroom learning with real-world applications. The transition from student to social work professional was seamless thanks to the comprehensive preparation provided by the Department of Social Work, St Xavier's University, Kolkata. The department's focus on the practical application of social work principles equipped me with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the real world.

As I reflect on my time at the Department of Social Work, St Xavier's University, Kolkata I am filled with gratitude for the invaluable experiences and growth opportunities it has afforded me. Today, as I excel in my chosen profession, I attribute much of my success to the solid foundation laid by the Department of Social Work St. Xavier's University, Kolkata which has not only shaped me academically but has also contributed to my personal and professional development, moulding me into a socially conscious and competent individual and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who aspires to make a positive impact through the lens of social work.

Department of Social Work, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata has been a constant support throughout my academic journey. While encouraging me with my academic progress, the Department provided me emotional support, when my family and I were suffering from COVID-19.They provided me the strength to deal and overcome hardships, a trait that I have developed for life. St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata, not only prepares students in academics, but focuses on their all-round development. My experiences with the faculty have been intellectually stimulating. With in-depth teaching learning process and individualized attention, the Department of Social Work proves to be the right place for students.

During the course of this academic life, most of time spend it was online, but St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata true to its name never fail out to assure its services to the students. We have been provided all kind of help to overcome the difficulties. From online classes to offline, the journey consists of enhancing my skills in different activities, forming bonds with the community where I was place to do internship, exploring different areas which inserted confidence in me was a memorable one. The faculty with their excellent knowledge and their helping attitude provide me to overcome all the obstacles that came across in this journey. Apart from the extra ordinary infrastructure, library facilities, canteen facilities the most interesting aspect was for me that they have provided a counselling cell for the students so that inner problem can be understood and solved. The unending academic pursuits has inspired me and helped me grow to become a confident and productive human being. I am thankful to my professors for my two year journey and will always be a xaverian as its says “once a xaverian is always a xaverian”.

Aspirations and dreams are brought to reality through institution, that has historically contributed to the betterment of human race. St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata has not only paved and shaped my vision for an upright world catering to bring in social justice through education, but has also facilitated the right opportunities in shaping my perspectives of viewing the world. The curriculum is not just limited to academic development but also challenges us to think outside of our own paradigms and critically analyse issues pertaining to the community. Professors demonstrate genuine encouragement and caring for the students. They leave no stone unturned to shape one’s future. The coursework has helped me secure a place in the Gandhi Fellowship program 2021-23providing the first foundation block towards my professional goals.

I am glad that I did my post-graduation from the Department of Social Work, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata. I feel privileged to have got some amazing teachers who were always there to guide me and help me in my studies. The field exposure that I got in the two years has been superb. In the first two semesters, I was placed at Antaragram where I got an exposure in the field of mental health. In the third semester, I was placed at Sanjeevani – Life beyond Cancer where I got an exposure in the field of cancer care. In the fourth semester, I was placed at CHILDLINE India Foundation, where I got an opportunity to relate my theoretical knowledge with my fieldwork experience. Based on my fieldwork performance, I have been offered a pre-placement offer from Sanjeevani – Life Beyond Cancer. I am grateful to the Department of Social Work, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata for the wonderful two years it gifted me.

Completing a journey of two years in the Department of Social Work, St Xavier’s University, Kolkata has provided me with multiple opportunities to develop my professional growth as well as acquire an educational degree. The outstanding faculty members with an integrated curriculum provide the best opportunity for students to acquire a master’s degree in Social Work here and along with it the specialization that the department has inculcated in the curriculum adds more value in this competitive professional environment. It gives the opportunity to learn in chosen area of interest. I got the opportunity to have a working experience with some of the leading organizations like CRY (Child Rights and You), Hope Kolkata foundation as a student social worker and with HR specialization I got my field exposure in GSB Research and Consultant and Coal India Limited as an HR intern. I also got the opportunity to get field exposure in other state through rural camp program. The department covers an overall journey of a student starting from the knowledge inculcation to professional growth.

The Department of Social Work is blessed with excellent faculty members. The department is committed to provide its students with the highest standards of education. Paramount importance is given to cooperative learning, inquiry-based instructions and professional development of a student. We learnt through visualization which enlivened academic concepts. Fieldwork was an extremely important part of our syllabus and an excellent practical learning experience that helped us to understand and apply our theoretical learning’s in the real world. I am extremely thankful for the heart-warming experience my Department provided me with.-

This university has been instrumental for my overall development in every way possible. The kind of exposure I got was exceptional. Being an aspiring professional social worker, I got an opportunity to study in one of the finest institutions and gained adequate knowledge to set the foundation stone of my career. I was being nurtured by the best professors who were prompt, supportive and caring. The department is a close-knit enthusiastic community where we can contribute to each other’s growth and showcase teamwork. The pragmatic approach of how the whole course is designed taking into consideration the fieldwork, internships, seminars and block placement is truly innovative. Last but not the least; it has made me a disciplined person which will surely help me in every walk of life.