Ariel Edwards (Other)
Currently living in
Snellville, Georgia, USWork Preferences
In-PersonHybridOpen to roles
My name is Ariel Edwards and I use They/she pronouns. In December 2020, I completed an Associate's of Science in psychology at Georgia State University Perimeter College. Currently, I am a senior in the Bachelor of Social Work program within the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. Growing up, I was introduced to social justice issues through the arts, primarily through music, visual arts, and poetry. I was amazed that despite our cultural, geographical, and socioeconomic differences the arts brought people together as a universal form of communication beyond words alone. Also, by partnering with artists and creative thinkers in the community the arts can be used as a starting point to heal communities and open dialogues on sensitive issues. Initially, I was a psychology major in my freshman and sophomore years. I wanted to develop more of an empirical understanding of how the human mind affects behavior in different contexts. With that understanding, I thought that I could help people overcome adversity. However, since psychology incorporates aspects of the medical model, I found that we mainly labeled individual people without considering systemic adversities beyond their control, overlooked the unique qualities of an individual as a source of empowerment, or discounted how underserved communities come together through their cultural traditions to overcome social injustices, such as how capoeira became a mixed martial art dance form out of oppression. As I read through the values and ethical principles of social work in NASW’s Code of Ethics, I loved how they aligned with most of my own. Since I was captivated by how social work incorporates a holistic approach to addressing social injustices while serving those most vulnerable in our societies, I thought I could best help others by becoming a social worker instead of a clinical psychologist.
💪Skills and Strengths
My Neuro-exceptional talent
Being a neurodiverse individual, I have the ability to think critically, logically, creatively, and visually, pay great attention to detail, adhere to rules and regulations, be honest and reliable, remember facts for an extended period of time, problem-solve, and focus intensively when working on an area of interest.
Technical Skills
Online library databases
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word
Top 5 Soft Skills
CollaborationConsistencyReliabilityCritical ThinkingAttention to Detail🧠Inclusion Essentials
Accommodations
Closed captioningSend questions in advanceInterviewer experienced with neurodiversitySupport personEmail / calendar organizationDaily job-coach checkinsDaily remindersConcise instructions for processingWritten checklistsReceive information in advanceWritten InstructionsRecorded MeetingsWait time for processing information Chunking large amounts of contentExtra time off for appointmentsPeriodic rest breaksUninterrupted work timeMeditation / quiet roomErgonomic seatingQuiet / individual workspacesJob coachingEmployee resource groupSupport with advocatingEnvironments I'm comfortable with
🚀Experience
Check out my work
| Working since Aug 2022 Aug 2022 Current | Social Work Intern - Gwinnett County Public Library My role as a social work intern is a mixture of virtual and face-to-face interactions when working with library customers. Furthermore, I have the opportunity to engage with customers in need of information or resources accessing services in employment, housing, food, health providers, education, and so on. By engaging with library staff, I provide information and best practice advice when working with library customers experiencing challenges navigating the social services system. Lastly, working with the library's Volunteer Coordinator, I help with food drives, making and distributing care kits, and meeting with representatives from local organizations at conferences to learn about services they can offer for potential library customers in need. |
| Worked for 4 months from Aug 2020 to Dec 2020 Aug 2020 Dec 2020 4 months | Supplemental Instruction Leader - Georgia State University Perimeter College As a Supplemental Instruction Leader I planned and facilitated out-of-class study sessions three times a week throughout the semester, provided assistance to students enrolled in an academically challenging course, attended all course lectures and SI leader trainings and meetings, completed paperwork and surveys throughout the semester to enhance the SI Leader experience and SI program for students, and assisted in the collection and reporting of evaluative data regarding the selected course to improve the SI program. |
| Worked for 1 months from Jan 2020 to Feb 2020 Jan 2020 Feb 2020 1 months | Seasonal Sales Associate - Follet Bookstore I was a seasonal cashier at my college's bookstore at the beginning of the spring 2020 semester. My role as a seasonal cashier included observing safe money handling procedures and secure transaction practices when accepting cash payment, making change, accepting checks and credit card payments ensuring cleanliness throughout the entire store, processing dual enrolment, VA, employee, and faculty discounts as appropriate, accepting payments and giving change, greeting customers as they enter and assisting customers in finding books and supplies. |
🎓Education and Credentials
| Attending since 2021 2021 Current | Georgia State University Bachelor's degree - Social Work |
| Attended for 2 years from 2018 to 2020 2018 2020 2 years | Georgia State University Perimeter College Associate's degree - Psychology |