She may have earned a bachelor’s degree in math, but Courtney Martinez, an outstanding Master of Social Work graduate from Colorado State University, found her passion in behavioral health and social justice research.
Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Martinez was familiar with the CSU community before arriving. “I came to CSU because my mom had grown up in Fort Collins,” she explained. Her high school experience included college credit that set her on a trajectory for a fast-track to graduation.
‘A thirst for knowledge’
“My family is full of educators, so I grew up with a thirst for knowledge,” Martinez said. She used her running start to her advantage, taking time to explore other topics outside her major.
“Two classes in particular stick with me to this day: Women of Color in the United States and La Chicana in Society. These courses fed the social justice part of me,” she said.
Self-discovery
After earning her undergraduate degree from CSU in 2019, Martinez found herself called to work in community, rather than in mathematics. “I had been working at a youth development organization and loved the process of helping young people discover who they were, who they wanted to be, and how to interact with those around them.
“Because my undergrad degree did little to inform me how to advance in this field, I started looking at behavioral health programs.” She consulted with colleagues and professionals in the field. “The behavioral health lens that most closely matched how I see the world was social work,” she recalled.
The decision to stay in Northern Colorado and return to CSU for her master’s degree was easy. “There was a comfort in coming to something familiar as I started a journey into a subject I had very little experience with,” she said.
Learning as a coping strategy
While her graduate plans came into focus, Martinez and the rest of the world reeled through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID was a challenging time for me, as I went through a quick shift in my career path and I, like many others, grappled with the mass traumatic event we still are reckoning with today,” she reflected.
“I have always struggled with anxiety/depression and learning was one of the coping skills I had developed to combat those challenges,” Martinez said. She hoped pursuing her graduate degree would ward off these mental health concerns.
“Through the program, there were challenges that knowledge and intellect could not solve and those forces began to creep in. I experienced loss, grief, conflict, and moments of personal growth,” she remembered.
“The saving grace at this time was the community I had from before and the one that I had found through the MSW program. There were steadfast supporters, counselors, and mentors to guide, challenge and love me.”
Social work research
Martinez leveraged her math skills by applying them to research projects as a graduate research assistant and in internships at CSU’s Social Work Research Center and Poudre Education Association. “Both of these experiences have shaped the way I see working in macro-social work,” she said. “I love the intersection of critical thinking and seeking to understand.”
Martinez layered her local experiences with education abroad. “One of my fondest memories is going to Costa Rica for a class and learn about social work in other countries. The experience was phenomenal,” she enthused. “It gave me the opportunity to engage with students and faculty outside of my cohort experience.”
‘The scenic route’
Looking back on her master’s program, Martinez thinks fondly of her fellow students. “I have loved the tight-knit community that has been formed in my cohort.” Beyond the “heartwarming energy,” it’s no surprise that this lifelong learner embraced the process of discovery with peers. “I love the intellectual challenge of having discussions with my peers and the utter chaos when we decide to take the scenic route through a lesson,” she said.
Whatever the route – research, coursework, internships, travel – Martinez has forged a foundation that will serve her personally and professionally into the future. “I am incredibly proud of the personal growth I have gone through to get to today. I am more sure, more thoughtful, more patient, and fiercer than I was when I entered this program. This has been through my education, my peers, my support system, my mentors, and the trials I faced. I love that I had the opportunity to be a part of several research projects and that I worked to have my voice heard within the school,” she said.
Next steps
Martinez is not waiting long after graduation to apply her knowledge. “I am planning on taking a long weekend in the mountains to recharge and celebrate before coming back to CSU to finish some research and transition into professional life,” she said. She hopes to continue her work in policy, and perhaps continue her learning with another degree.
“Eventually, I would love to return to school to get my Ph.D. so I can continue to learn and share what I love most with future generations of social workers.”
The School of Social Work is part of the College of Health and Human Sciences.