Q & A with Owen Malkowski
- Major: social work
- Minor: gerontology and spiritual care
- Naz community involvement: Partners for Serving/Partners for Health: Assisting weekly at a memory care unit at St. Ann’s Community.
What attracted you to Naz?
I was having trouble finding a school where I felt I could really connect. Then I did a tour at Naz and put down my deposit the same day. It just felt the perfect size. It felt like everyone knew each other. I felt a sense of community.
My high school social worker, who’s a big role model, finished her bachelor’s and master’s in social work here.
How did you choose your major?
My mom studied social work. I was around social workers a lot, and I felt what they were doing was really special and I wanted to be part of that.
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| Owen with his mom, Cindy Love, on move-in day at Naz. |
What’s your dream job?
A memory care social worker — to help families navigate the health care system when their loved one can’t, to help give families hope and reassurance, and to lessen the family’s burden.
What draws you to work with older adults?
I just have always liked older adults. My Nana lived with us for a while.
You’ve met multiple times with your Naz career coach, starting even before your first semester at Naz?
We first talked the summer after I graduated from high school. I met with him to work on my resume. It’s been really good. He’s very understanding. He’s down to earth. He listens. He’ll suggest things to broaden my understanding.
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| Owen meets with Zac Saeva, career coach. |
What have you gained from career coaching?
- He has so many connections. He helped me build my resume and helped me obtain a winter break experience at an enriched housing place, as an activities coordinator with older adults. I gained experience and it was good for networking.
- He’s guiding me to use my Naz SPARK grant — $1,500 for an internship, research, or even study abroad — and helping me figure out where I want to do my summer internship. The SPARK funds could help me with transportation to and from an internship.
- I’ve learned career skills, including how to format a resume — and not rely on AI. There’s a lot that goes into a resume and having it look formal.
- Interview prep for a job I’m seeking on a hospital inpatient geriatric psychiatric unit.
- It’s easy to use Handshake (online) to make an appointment. You can pre-share a document or questions, to use the time well.
Now that you’re in your second semester, what stands out about your college experience?
Naz is very friendly. There’s way more good at Naz than the things I wish I could change. I’ve found the professors at Naz to be highly educated and extremely good at what they do.
I love the campus itself. Even in the winter, it’s a beautiful campus. I love how it feels so cozy because you know this is a successful school and they have your back. You feel comfortable. You feel safe. I was sick with something and I went to Campus Safety and they helped me out. Two days in a row, somebody in the office emailed me to make sure I was feeling good.
I love Lucy Allison, Health and Counseling nurse practitioner. It was easy to get my meds delivered to campus. They have free little hygiene products for emergencies. When I forgot toothpaste, they had it. If you need it, take it. Those things matter. I feel supported.
Social life is really important in college. I have the best friends I’ve ever had in my life. We met at orientation. I love my friends.
Naz was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for myself.
Any advice for new students?
- It’s ok to get a bad grade on a midterm or test. There’s always room for improvement.
- Get into activities.
- Use the resources people give you. People offer help because they feel you will benefit.
- It’s always OK to ask a professor to repeat something.
- You’re the driver. You decide how much effort you put into your education.
- High school kids tell me, “I’m not going to college because it’s hard.” I say: College is hard. You’re going to have a course you don’t like. It’s about navigating and using the resources. There are so many resources, so many clubs, religious groups, and career coaching. It’s all here to help. I work as a social-emotional coach in Nazareth’s Academic Success & Accessibility office.
- If you are struggling, do not hesitate to reach out. Ask somebody — like a professor you are connected to. Don’t continue to let things get harder and harder and harder. It will be better with support from Naz.
- You have to find balance and self-care because college is stressful. There are so many support systems and groups at Naz. They have therapy on campus. All free.
Who has supported you?
Leanne Wood, my advisor for my major — and my Intro to Social Work professor — listens and provides help and perspective. Feeling heard is a very big thing. The unknown is scary.
Academic accommodations from high school don’t transfer 100%, but Nazareth is one of the most accommodating schools I’ve ever learned about. When I tell friends who go elsewhere about my experience, they say, “Wow, you’re very fortunate.” My academic advisor and Mary Anne Parker in Academic Advisement also made sure my course schedule was set for my first semester, which lifted a weight off my shoulders and made me feel supported academically. It reassured me I made a good decision to come to Naz.
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| Owen poses with Leanne Wood, his professor and academic advisor. |
