“This Program Delivered” – Elizabeth Mayne, MSW’23, on How STU Helped Her Fall Back in Love with Social Work  

Elizabeth Mayne crossed the stage at Summer Convocation graduating with a Master in Social Work after rediscovering her passion for social work at STU. 

 

Mayne, originally from Charlottetown, PEI, completed a Bachelor of Arts in 2014 at the University of Prince Edward Island and then her Bachelor of Social Work at STU in 2016. After working in the field for many years, Mayne returned to STU. 

 

“Completing my Master of Social Work was always something I wanted to do, however, I wanted to get some experience in the field before starting it,” said Mayne. 

 

“After struggling with burnout, I felt this was the right time to pursue my MSW.” 

 

Mayne noted that she had begun feeling burnt out within her field and was losing her passion for social work. She had loved her time at STU during her BSW and knew that it was the right time and STU was the right school to reignite her passion. 

 

“I am so lucky STU gave me this opportunity to learn and better myself as a social worker. I wanted to fall back in love with social work. This program delivered that and more,” said Mayne. 

 

“I am now reenergized to re-enter the field and continue my pursuit of effective change. I feel empowered. As social workers, we can get overwhelmed when we want to make big changes within the system. This program reminded me we can start small and slowly chip away at our goals and still make a difference.” 

 

Mayne always knew that she wanted to help people. She noted that STU helped her achieve her goal by providing her with knowledgeable professors and a close-knit community with her peers that helped her flourish in social work. 

 

“I appreciate the smaller school aspect of the Social Work Program at St. Thomas. I was able to have a close relationship with all my professors,” said Mayne. 

 

“The growth that I have accomplished in this program, both personally and professionally, will make me not only a better social worker but a better person.” 

 

Following her graduation, Mayne will continue her current position on the Seniors Mental Health Team with the Provincial Department of Health and take on a part-time position at a private practice in Saint John.