“Social work is certainly not easy,” – Nerissa Semple

Finding a career path which suits our desire and gives us purpose may be difficult but certainly not impossible. Being able to make a difference in someone’s life and changing the perspective of someone may be challenging, but the feeling after doing so is overwhelming. Have you ever wondered what happened to those persons who have been abused or attempted suicide or children who are neglected?
Nerissa Teshana Semple, the 26-year-old Probation and Social Services Officer who is currently employed by the Social Protection Ministry at the Wellington Probation Office, had a few challenges in life when it came to finding a career which best suited her. She is trying to change the stereotype that social work is easy and to bring respect and more recognition of the contribution and positive impact social work has on individuals and society.
Nerissa grew up like any other normal child in the countryside; making ornaments with mud, learning to swim in the trench behind her home, going to the backdam to check rice fields and pick fruits and vegetables. She enjoyed receiving gifts for her birthdays and at Christmas, playing outdoor games on the streets until it was dark and having no expenses as a child.
She was an active member at the local church in the village until she attended the University of Guyana as she was raised in a Christian family.
Her education journey began at the No 8 Nursery School and she then attended the Latchmansingh Primary School, where she wrote the Common Entrance Examination (now revamped as the National Grade Six Assessment) and was awarded a place at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School. There she completed her secondary education by writing the Caribbean Education Certificate Examinations with passes in the nine subjects she sat.
Nerissa was eager to work after completing secondary school, but did not gain employment, so she began attending computer classes at Brazillo’s Learning Center, from where she graduated with A+ in Microsoft Word and Excel and Internet Browsing. After still being unable to get a job, she considered attending the University of Guyana.
“I thought of what I love and what I wanted to do as an individual to positively impact the lives of others and I went to my older sister who told me that social work is it,” Nerissa shared.
After learning of the various serious issues that plague the lives of children and how these cases were being handled, Nerissa was moved to pursue a career in the helping profession, because she loves helping others, especially the vulnerable and the less fortunate.
“Social work best suits my desire,” she stated.
At the age of 23, Nerissa graduated from the University of Guyana with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work with a 3.0 GPA.
“Two days after my graduation, I started working as a Probation and Social Services Officer within the Ministry of Social Protection. I feel social work is one of the best professions in the world. I think the field of social work is being perceived as one for older women. I recall while attending the University of Guyana and persons asking what’s my major and I would reply with a bright smile ‘social work’ and they would respond like ‘that easy program, why you didn’t do this or that?’ I think social work should be treated with more respect and recognition in Guyana. As social workers, we risk our lives to help others and it’s not taken seriously by those in higher authority for us to get risk allowance and so on,” Nerissa stated.
She shared that one of her favourite memories as a social worker was rebuilding hope in someone who attempted suicide.
“One of the most interesting experiences I’ve had while in this field was to have a first-hand glimpse of the living conditions of persons who are in dire need of help and that made me humble myself even more. It motivated me to continue in this field, because I believe that there are always persons who desire my help and so I can’t quit until my work is complete,” she explained.
Whenever Nerissa feels overwhelmed by her workload, she would simply do something she loves or an activity she has not done in a while, such as going shopping, eating ice cream or barbecue wings, spending time with kids and talking to persons of positive influence.
She stated that her ultimate goal as a social worker is doing what is best for her client within her reach without causing harm to anyone and always doing so with an open mind.
“Knowing my abilities and the benefits persons in need of it stand to gain gives me the drive and influences me to continue in my field of work. I would like to say to anyone thinking to join this field to join only if you love this profession, because there is only so much you can do and the system is challenging at times,” she declared.