Valerie Bradshaw

Successful Internship in College Leads to a Lifelong Career

When she moved back to Delaware in 1991, Valerie Bradshaw was a licensed hair stylist who also took on additional work to supplement her income. But the jobs were never anything she truly enjoyed, they didn’t have a permanent ‘career’ feel and collectively they still didn’t offer the financial security she desired. In addition, she was injured on a job and was advised she was unable to return to that type of work.

Discussing her situation with a friend, she found out about the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, which, through testing and programming, ultimately led her to Delaware Tech’s Terry Campus.

She enrolled in the Human Services program and completed a successful internship with the State of Delaware. That internship experience resulted in her landing a meaningful, full-time job when she graduated in 1998. Nearly 20 years later, Valerie continues to work for the Division of State Service Centers and is now a senior social worker case manager.

“Delaware Tech afforded me an opportunity to recapture lost time to advance myself through education,” said Bradshaw, who had delayed her pursuit of college. “The environment was receptive and understanding, and the network of resources and the support system is truly geared toward helping students.”

When the topic of education or returning to college arises, Bradshaw shares her experience with family and friends and encourages them to explore Delaware Tech. She knows it will afford them the same opportunities it presented her.