How Student Veteran Katrina Bradley Found Community While Earning Social Work Degree
On the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast, Bradley shares how Syracuse University’s commitment to veterans and military-connected students has helped her pursue her ideal career.
Student veteran Katrina Bradley ’27 has dealt with her fair share of adversity, but instead of letting those obstacles knock her down, Bradley chooses to embrace a positive, can-do attitude.
Bradley has gone from working on helicopters as an armament specialist in the U.S. Air Force to studying social work in the School of Education.
As she prepares to graduate in May, Bradley is focused on helping others and plans to use the degree to either help fellow women service members who experienced trauma or support children who suffered trauma.
Social work is the ideal career path for Bradley, who, since transitioning from active duty to civilian life, has studied nursing and worked as a medical assistant and an emergency medical technician before going back to school.
“I’ve always been interested in helping others, and as I was [transitioning] out of the Air Force, I wanted to find a career where I could give back,” says Bradley, a Syracuse native. “I’m planning to go for my master’s degree and then hopefully get licensed. Eventually, I want to start up my own nonprofit organization.”
Bradley comes from a long line of veterans in her family; her great-grandfather served in World War I, her grandfather served in World War II, her father served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and her brother served in the Air Force during Operation Iraqi Freedom. As she navigates the path to a bachelor’s degree, Bradley says she’s made the most of the opportunities afforded to her by the University, which has built a longstanding reputation as one of the best places for veterans.
“I’m thankful for the veterans group and the different veterans organizations. If I reach out and ask for help in our group chat or have a problem, somebody’s willing to speak up and help you with that,” Bradley says. “It’s such a great community that I don’t know what I would do without the veterans in the group. They’ve all been so helpful. We’ve got each other’s backs when we need it.”
On a Veterans Day-themed episode of the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast, Bradley reflects on the University’s commitment to veterans and military-connected students and shares why she loves being involved and giving back to her fellow veterans on campus.
Why did you end up choosing to study social work?
When I was talking with my advisor at Onondaga Community College [during vocational rehabilitation], a social worker mentioned my options and said he could see me as a social worker. The more he described all the ways I could make a difference with a social work degree, the more I knew this was the perfect avenue for me.
What drives your desire to be an active student veteran on campus?
I like helping other veterans because they’ve helped me out so much. I like giving back as much as I can because this is a brotherhood and a sisterhood. We help each other out the best we can, when we can. We all feel this responsibility, a duty to give back and help other student veterans be successful.
How did your time in the Air Force prepare you to pursue your degree?
Learning to never give up, to be committed to giving it your all, to have integrity and to be committed to excellence in everything you do. My time management skills came from my time in the Air Force, too, which I need to juggle family responsibilities, school assignments and life. I wouldn’t be as successful with my studies if I didn’t have those military experiences.
What’s your advice to any veteran who is contemplating going back to school to earn their degree here at Syracuse?
Think about what you want to study for your degree. If you’re a nontraditional student, sit down with an advisor to plan out the right path for you. Connect with other student veterans and get involved with the Student Veteran Organization. Stop by the veterans lounge [in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building]. Get involved in the veterans activities. It’s a great way to connect and find a community.
What’s the biggest lesson from your classes that still resonates with you?
We’re all human. We all need somebody. We all need to be compassionate. We’re all very similar. We may look and act differently, but deep down we’re all pretty similar. We all want to live happy, peaceful lives. We want love and companionship. We all could use an extra helping hand, a warm smile and a friendly hello.
