Blinn sophomore finds purpose in social work as she begins new chapter at Texas A&M-RELLIS

Alyssa Tabor will graduate from Blinn this December with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts before pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work from Tarleton State University at RELLIS

November 12, 2024

As a student from Destin, Florida, Alyssa Tabor came to Blinn College seeking a change of scenery and a smaller community. What she found was more than she expected—a supportive college experience that reshaped her career ambitions.

Originally focused on nursing, Tabor’s interest shifted to social work thanks to Blinn’s Career Services and dedicated professors, who helped her see new possibilities. Now, with her associate degree nearly in hand, she is excited to continue her studies in social work at Texas A&M-RELLIS.

“In high school, I was exploring colleges and deciding whether I wanted to stay in Florida or venture out,” Tabor said. “I decided to go to LSU (Louisiana State University), but I realized I wanted something smaller that still had a university aspect.”

After researching Texas A&M and Blinn College, she found that Blinn offered a unique combination of smaller class sizes and proximity to a large university. “I could have smaller class sizes and still experience the university environment because Texas A&M is right there,” she said.

Coming to Blinn introduced Tabor to a new community and, initially, an unfamiliar culture.

“I was nervous at first,” she admitted. “At LSU, a lot of my friends were out-of-state students, and we had a shared experience. At Blinn, most students were from Texas, which made me feel a little out of place at first. But that was part of the fun too—I got to experience Texas culture up close and make friends from all over the state. I’ve learned a lot.”

Initially focused on nursing, Alyssa was determined to enter the medical field.

“In high school, I was certain I wanted to be a nurse and work in the medical field,” she said. However, as she advanced in her science courses, she began to question whether nursing was the right fit.

“I got to anatomy and physiology, which was the last prerequisite I needed for nursing school, and I started to question if my heart was really in it,” she said.

Seeking guidance, Tabor turned to Blinn’s Career Services, where she met with counselors who helped her explore other career paths.

“I talked to career counselors at both Blinn and Texas A&M, and they helped me see what I wanted out of nursing and what other majors might fit my goals,” she said.

Through these conversations, Tabor realized that her interest was rooted in helping people, especially young people, and the counselors introduced her to social work.

“For nursing, I was really interested in the psychiatric aspect and working with teens and adolescents,” she said. “The counselors suggested social work as a career that would allow me to do just that.”

Once she committed to social work, Tabor began taking classes that aligned with her new path.

“This semester has been a lot different than previous ones because I’m getting more into my major specifically,” she said. “Instead of anatomy and physiology, I’m taking social work and family welfare classes, which have been really interesting.”

The content of her social work classes has been eye-opening, especially her studies on the foster care system.

“So far, I’ve enjoyed learning about advocacy and the foster care system,” Tabor said. “I didn’t know much about the flaws in the system before, and this experience has opened my eyes. I’m excited to get into the field and hopefully help change how things operate.”

Alyssa’s experiences with Blinn faculty were equally impactful.

“At Blinn, I felt like my professors genuinely cared about my success. They made it clear that they wanted students to attend office hours and seek help,” she said.

Tabor recalled a challenging chemistry course where her professor encouraged her to study in the professor’s office.

“My professor invited me to sit in her office while I worked so she could show me what I was doing wrong,” she said. “I went every day, and her help made a huge difference.

“At LSU, I felt like some professors were there to teach but had other commitments, and that affected their availability. At Blinn, my professors were entirely focused on teaching. They provided resources and encouragement, and it was clear that they really cared about students.”

Blinn’s Career Services also introduced Tabor to the ideal pathway to continue her education in social work. After graduating from Blinn, she will begin her Bachelor of Social Work from Tarleton State University at Texas A&M-RELLIS, allowing her to remain in Bryan-College Station.

“The career counselors helped me find this program at Tarleton, which is perfect because I didn’t want to leave College Station,” she said. “They gave me all the materials I needed to apply and guided me through the process.”

The Bachelor of Social Work program at RELLIS, offered by Tarleton State University, is designed to prepare students for licensure as qualified social workers in Texas. The program emphasizes hands-on, community-based learning, beginning in the junior year, and includes a four-semester sequence of courses culminating in a portfolio that documents students' competencies and aids in job searches.

Credits earned in Blinn’s Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts transfer seamlessly toward the Bachelor of Social Work at RELLIS, facilitating a smooth transition for students like Tabor.

“Blinn has changed my life,” she said. “It’s an amazing place to figure out what you want and to grow into the person you’re meant to be. Coming here was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

After she earns her bachelor’s degree, Tabor envisions a career in child welfare, potentially working with Child Protective Services (CPS).

“Blinn set me up perfectly for this next step,” she says. “I’m ready to keep learning, keep growing, and hopefully make a difference in the lives of others.”

For more information about Blinn’s Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, please visit www.blinn.edu/liberal-arts. For more information about the RELLIS Academic Alliance and the opportunity to earn degrees from the Texas A&M University System regional universities located at RELLIS, please visit https://rellis.tamus.edu/academicalliance.