Alexandria Edmondson feels drawn to social work, research and graduate school

Alexandria Edmondson

July 30, 2009  - Alexandria Edmondson’s future is far from being mapped out, but she knows it will include research, social work and graduate school.

Fresh out of high school from Indianapolis’ Arsenal Technical High School where she thrived in an advanced health-related magnet program, Edmondson arrived at IUPUI last fall and considered teaching as a possible career.

After the first semester though, Edmondson realized she was still interested in working with children, but not necessarily as a teacher. An advisor suggested she consider social work, which would allow her to work with children in a variety of settings. “I thought that sounded interesting,” Edmondson said.

During her second semester Edmondson took an introductory social work class from Dr. Khadija Khaja, who talked about research, something dear to Edmondson’s heart.

She is a member of the Diversity Scholars Research Program, which provides scholarships for minority students who are freshmen or first year scholars and places them in a research experience.

Edmondson spoke to Dr. Khaja about her research project involving the lives of Muslims before and after 9/11. Edmondson then assisted Dr. Khaja organize information from the study.

Edmondson then showcased the study at the Summer Research Poster Symposium at the Campus Center on July 22^nd. Her presentation outlined the Muslim study and how after the terrorists attack, the Islamic community became one of the most misunderstood social groups throughout the country.

Edmondson, who hopes to enter the Bachelor of Social Work program after finishing the necessary introductory classes, said the opportunity to help Dr. Khaja has done nothing but fuel her interest in doing research.

 Edmondson said working on research projects is a key to her goal of attending graduate school.  “I know I am going to graduate school. There is no question in my mind that I am not going to go.”

Her drive to attend graduate school can be summed up in two words, Edmondson said: the economy.  “I see how people live on a day to day basis and I don’t want to do that,” Edmondson noted. She sees an advanced degree as adding a greater sense of security to her life. “The higher the education, the more opportunities,” Edmondson said she would have to chose from in the future.