Nora Boyle
Class of 2010
Why did you choose Siena College?
Coming from a small Catholic high school with a strong emphasis on community, I knew that i wanted to go to a college that made me feel at home and had the same values. Fortunately my aunt and uncle attended Siena and introduced me to the college. As a child,I spent many Sundays going to mass at St. Mary of the Angels Chapel and attending Siena athletic events. Not only did Siena already feel like home, but academically it turned out to be the perfect fit me. Siena has the challenging Social Welfare program and phenomenal reputation, that i was looking for.
Why social work?
As a child, my parents encouraged my siblings and I to engage in giving back to the community.I was introduced at an early age to poverty, community action, and social justice. On Saturdays we worked at soup kitchens and helped out with church outreach programs. These childhood experiences molded my worldview; they taught me simply that it is our responsibility to do what we can to better the world around us.
As I got older I became interested in how policy determines the delivery of healthcare and social service programs, and the importance of advocacy in creating these policies. I knew that I wanted to seek a profession that would allow me to represent good policies that help to build stronger and healthier communities. A degree in social work seemed like an obvious choice for me.
What was your most meaningful experience at Siena?
My most meaningful experiences at Siena were while completing my Senior year Social Work internship. Senior year i was selected to intern at Troy High School as a intern crisis counselor. I met some wonderful students and learned so much from the feelings and experiences they shared with me. That internship taught me the importance of being fully present. I quickly learned that many people do not have anyone in their lives who take the time to really listen to them. I learned that the simple act of a present ear can be a very powerful gift. To this day, that internship has made a lasting imprint on me.
What is your current position?
Currently, I am the Policy Director at a government relations law firm in Albany. Primarily, I represent healthcare organizations who provide services to rural and underserved areas in the State.
In what ways did Siena prepare you for life and work after college?
Siena prepared me for the outside world by teaching me the importance of going the extra mile. The teachers at Siena encouraged and supported students to not only go above and beyond the task, but to also pursue the curiosity they have in the subject. Finding interest in the subject (even statistics) helped me to grow beyond the curriculum. I find this to be helpful in my career. It allows me to find a deeper interest in the field and keeps me interested and excited.