Finding a Place for Social Work in Public Service
Ben Goguen ’27 was looking for an internship that would give him experience working in government without losing the people-centered focus of his social work education.
He found that opportunity as a congressional intern for U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in Manchester, NH. A and dual major, Goguen spent his summer speaking with constituents, conducting grant and policy research, drafting correspondence, and attending events with Shaheen.
The experience showed Goguen how well his two majors complement each other. While social work has prepared him to understand and assist individuals and communities, justice studies has helped him understand how laws, policies, and systems shape their lives. Together, he says, they have prepared him to approach issues from both individual and systemic perspectives in government, policy, advocacy and public service.
“I would also encourage students to explore different fields and interests alongside social work,” Goguen says. “You never know which experience will help you find the type of work you are most passionate about. For me, working in government has shown me that I can still use the values and skills I have learned through social work while working toward change on a larger scale.”
Goguen shares what he learned from the experience.
What did a typical day in the senator’s office look like for you?
Every day in the senator’s office was a little different. My main role was answering constituent phone calls, which generally fell into two categories: policy and legislative comments or constituent services. Constituents would call in support of or opposition to legislation, and my role was to document their position and any relevant comments. Constituent service cases ranged from urgent issues like homelessness or eviction to Granite Staters stranded overseas who needed assistance returning to the United States.
While manning the phones, I typically had an event letter or grant support letter I was drafting. When the Senate is in session, the senator is primarily in D.C., so if she was unable to attend an event in New Hampshire, I would draft a letter on her behalf to be read by a staff member. I also drafted letters supporting federal grant applications from organizations and departments across the state. Another amazing aspect of the internship was attending events alongside the senator around the state. She has always made visiting Granite Staters a priority, and getting to join her in interacting with constituents and their businesses was incredibly meaningful.
What was the most meaningful experience of your internship?
Meeting Sen. Shaheen for the first time. We were at an event in Merrimack, and after shaking my hand and asking me a few questions, she gave me a shout-out in front of everyone at the event. I was wearing UNH colors (navy suit, blue and gray tie), of course, and she told everyone about how much she loves both UNH and her interns.
Outside of that, I loved hearing success stories from the casework team. Often, I would be the first point of contact for constituents calling for urgent assistance, so hearing months later that they received the help they needed was incredibly rewarding. Seeing how the senator’s office was able to help people going through dark times made the hard work worth it.
What have you learned from working with constituents facing challenges?
Immigration issues and housing insecurity are some of the most common things Granite Staters need help with at the federal level. Many days were hard and included very emotional calls for help, but each call taught me so much about the issues people are actually facing.
Through working with constituents, I learned that no case is the same. Everyone has their own story, and there is often so much more going on in someone’s life than what we see on the surface. A housing issue is not just about finding a place to live, and an immigration case is not just about paperwork or waiting for a decision. These issues impact people’s families, jobs, financial stability, mental well-being, and their ability to plan for the future.
How has that experience shaped your understanding of public service?
This experience has made me much more aware of the human side of policy and government. Behind every law, program, agency, and statistic are real people impacted by the decisions being made. It has also shown me just how important constituent services are.
This work may not always make headlines, but helping someone navigate a federal agency or resource, or simply feel heard, can make a meaningful difference in their life. That is something I will carry with me as I continue pursuing a career in public service.
How has your social work education prepared you for the work you’ve done in the senator’s office?
SW 625: SW Policy-Activism & Advocacy, taught by Meredith Young, was the most impactful class I have taken at UNH and really covers the role of social workers at a macro, community-wide level. Understanding how to ethically work with clients while being aware of how policy and legislation impact people’s lives is imperative for the work of a social worker.
In addition, the roleplays in both my SW 622 and SW 623 practice courses prepared me well for my interactions with constituents this summer. The NASW values for social work were always at the forefront of my mind when speaking with and advocating for constituents, and I can confidently say that de-escalation techniques covered in my social work education came in handy.
How has this internship broadened your understanding of social work?
Working in a congressional office showed me how the same social work values that are used when working directly with clients can be applied at the policy and advocacy levels. Whether I was speaking with a constituent about a policy or listening to someone explain a difficult situation, I was still using social work skills rooted in empathy, advocacy and meeting people where they are.
This experience has shown me that being a social worker does not have to mean working in a traditional social work setting. It can also mean working to make systems and policies better serve the people who depend on them.