Jacob Mercado, GSS ’25, is a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) student at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. He currently serves as a student ambassador for the program. He is completing his field placement as a school social work intern at a public school in the Bronx, NY, as part of the Fordham GSS/NYC Public Schools Collaboration, where approximately 45 M.S.W. students are completing placements in NYC public schools and receiving a scholarship. You can watch the video version of this interview on our Instagram page.
Why do you want to be a social worker?
I worked with underserved youth for so many years, and I worked for a nonprofit organization. That really sparked my leadership qualities, and I was basically a liaison between the community, schools, [and]government officials. So, it really sparked my inspiration to work with students and just the community in general. So, I want to become a social worker to connect people and help people as much as I can.
Where do you see yourself after graduation?
The dream job is being a social worker within a school. I love working with younger kids, high school students — that’s my passion. I was a high school student and I know the struggles that come with it, and sometimes you don’t realize your true potential or power. So, I want to help elevate their chances of success.
Why did you choose Fordham for your M.S.W.?
I chose Fordham because of their profound reputation for the M.S.W. program. I was researching a lot of other M.S.W. programs but I found that this one has a very diverse learning experience and after talking to some faculty, administration, and staff, I felt like this was the best fit to benefit my future. So, I think I found home.
