Graduating Student Spotlight: Natalie Ladd

Natalie Ladd grew up in areas that needed more social workers. She and her family moved back and forth between Michigan and Kansas. Now in Heston, Kansas, Ladd is about to graduate with her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare.

Social work wasn’t always the plan, but it was a path that made sense to Ladd. She wants to make lives better for those who need the extra help.

Get to know more about Ladd as she shares her thoughts ahead of graduation.

Where is your head at as you approach graduation?

Ladd: “I am thinking about where I'm going to move and what I want to do, but I think my internship that I'm in right now has really helped shape what I want to do. I really want to work in a place where there are multiple levels of care offered. I think it's really helpful when clients and people can come in and get counseling services and legal services and social services, or multiple things all in one place.

“I'm in an integrated care setting right now, and so there's medical and social and all kinds of things offered there. Right now, I’m looking at Colorado; it’s always been my dream to live in the mountains.”

How did you choose social work?

Ladd: “I feel like social work is something that I didn't choose. I started out as an education major. I always knew I wanted to work with people, but I got into education and realized I hate talking in front of groups of people, and I didn’t see myself being in front of a classroom. I had a professor in college and some other people suggest social work. I started taking some classes, then fell in love with it. I really enjoy finding ways to help make people’s lives just a little bit easier.”

Why was social work a good fit for you?

Ladd: “I grew up in an area that was very rural and very low income, so I grew up seeing a lot of the struggles people had and how a lot of people were falling through the gaps of care that was needed. I didn't even really know what services were available. I learned there are things available that maybe could help these people, but there's no one around to help people figure out what to do or how to get into those things. That inspired me, and that got me to a place where I want to try and help people understand these systems. I want to find ways to make people's lives a little easier.”

What is something you’ve learned in your MSW courses that sticks with you?

Ladd: “One thing that I hear one of my professors say a lot is that people can't heal unless they feel safe. Basic needs need to be met before you can focus on meeting the client where they're at. People are experts in their own lives – I think that’s a big thing. People need to feel safe before we can expect them to focus on their trauma or mental health.”