From Trauma to Triumph: Carroll Student Finds Her Calling in Social Work

From a childhood marked by uncertainty to a career making a profound difference, Priscilla Davis’s journey to social work has been anything but typical. And through it all, Carroll Community College played a pivotal role in helping her find her true calling.

A Nontraditional Upbringing

“I had a very nontraditional family,” Priscilla recalls. Raised by her great-grandmother, she lacked the typical parental household many of her peers enjoyed. “Not being raised by my mother, there were some traumas I had to go through that significantly impacted my education.”

Throughout her childhood, the absence of her mother weighed heavily on her, leading to difficulties in school and a delayed understanding of her own potential. By the time she reached college, she still struggled with unresolved emotions. “I think that when you are dealing with traumatic experiences, you don’t necessarily get the growth that everyone else does when they’re in a healthy environment.”

Priscilla’s first attempt at college wasn’t what she hoped for. After high school, she attended CCBC, but something didn’t click there. “I took a few classes, did as well as I felt like I could have done, but it just wasn’t sticking.”

Priscilla then stepped away from school, working various jobs as she searched for her purpose. Her role at Sheppard Pratt, supporting children and young adults in difficult situations, sparked something inside her. “I fell in love with being able to make an impact on kids because I essentially could see myself and the things that I went through in them.”

Life took a few unexpected turns—a job as a medical data analyst for Netflix, a stint as a virtual commentator for TMZ—but Priscilla felt an undeniable pull toward a profession that allowed her to help others. However, she soon realized that experience alone wouldn’t open the doors she needed. “I felt that, only having that high school diploma, I’d reached my ceiling.” The time had come to return to school.

It’s almost like I’m healing that inner child of mine while working to help other kids… I want to be the person I needed when I was younger.

Finding Her Calling

Determined to build a stable future, Priscilla initially set her sights on nursing. While researching available training options, she discovered Carroll Community College and enrolled in their reputable Nursing program.

At Carroll, she experienced something she never had before—true engagement in her education. “This was the first time that I had been able to really experience being a college student. Like, I was present in that moment.”

But fate had yet another shift in store for her. In her first semester, she attended an extra credit panel for Sociology 101, a discussion on careers in social work. Listening to professionals share their own journeys, she recognized herself in their stories. “I fell in love with the major that day.”

With newfound clarity, Priscilla promptly changed her major to social work. “Everything has been aligned since then,” she says. She immersed herself in the field, applying her lived experiences and natural ability to connect with others. Working as a tutor in Baltimore City schools, she saw firsthand the impact of giving children a safe space to express themselves.

Her experiences at Carroll gave her the confidence and academic support she needed to thrive. She credits the faculty and staff for being incredibly supportive and understanding of her journey. “I had professors who took the time to really understand me, who saw my potential even when I doubted myself.”

Redefining Herself

Returning to school after stepping away for years was not easy. Priscilla faced moments of self-doubt, questioning whether she was capable of succeeding in higher education. However, she refused to let those doubts define her. “I had to remind myself that I belong here. I had to break through that imposter syndrome and embrace my journey for what it was.”

Through hard work and persistence, she excelled academically, proving to herself that she was more than capable of achieving her goals. She became actively involved in her studies, developing meaningful relationships with her professors and peers. “I found a support system at Carroll that I never knew I needed.”

Having earned her Associate degree at Carroll, Priscilla is ready to take the next step pursuing her Bachelor’s in Social Work at McDaniel College. Her past, once a source of pain, has become the foundation of her purpose. “It’s almost like I’m healing that inner child of mine while working to help other kids.”

Priscilla’s long-term goal is to work in trauma-informed care, helping children and young adults navigate the challenges of life just as she once had to. She aspires to guide them in finding the strength to overcome, creating a space where they feel heard, understood, and empowered.

“I want to be the person I needed when I was younger,” she said.