Springfield College Alumna Living a Balanced Life While Helping Others

By: Damon Markiewicz
Springfield College double alumna Andrea Berte ’10, G’15, is currently living a balanced life while staying committed to her passion for helping people. Berte currently works for the Hampden County Sheriff's Office as a lead correctional counselor stationed at the Western Massachusetts Recovery and Wellness Center. Using a holistic approach to treatment with a focus on addiction, behavior change, health, and purposeful living, Berte believes that all individuals have the ability to change and improve their lives.
“Everyone who comes to us at the center has to do seven weeks of a recovery treatment program,” explained Berte. “It looks a little different for everyone, but it's generally the same because our motto is everyone's recovering from something, whether it's addiction behavior or lifestyle. We kind of hone in on individualized plans with these individuals.”
The culture Berte has helped establish is one that embraces recovery, encouraging individualized growth and personal change. In addition to recovery, Berte helps lead community engagement with the residents she works with on a daily basis. A piece of that engagement is setting up and conducting speaking visits out in the community. Berte was able to use her contacts at Springfield College to recently visit a class on campus, and have three of her residents share their stories.
“I was very grateful to the faculty at Springfield College to welcome us in their classroom space,” explained Berte. “I always felt it would be impactful to bring our residents to speak at the College, especially to students studying professions that relate to the field that I'm in. I wanted our residents not just to tell their story, but to have a dialogue with the students. I wanted the residents to ask the students questions, and I wanted the students to ask the residents questions.”
The open dialogue between Berte’s residents and the students at the College was focused on the idea that everyone deserves a fair shot, and to treat each other like you would want to be treated. It’s a beautiful message for young professionals to understand.
“There's an authentic moment of community engagement when we bring the residents out to speak at the schools,” expressed Berte. “Everyone wins, and it's such a great experience for students in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, and Criminal Justice, just to name a few programs.”
It was a natural fit to have Berte return to campus because her path to what she currently loves to do all started with some great experiences on Alden Street. Earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the College, she has blended the skills learned from each of her degrees to form her own authentic skill-set that is all about service to others.
“My bachelor's degree is in Applied Exercise Science, and I always wanted to help teach people the benefits of nutritional health and how that helps our brains and our mental health,” explained Berte. “During my time as an undergrad, I also worked at Planet Fitness, and I learned a lot about people who are learning about shame. I learned about people being afraid to walk on a treadmill for the first time. So now I am working in an environment which is literally called the judgment-free zone. So much of helping is learning how we can bring people to better themselves in a judgment-free way.”
After earning her bachelor’s degree, Berte decided she wanted to expand her knowledge by enrolling in the Master of Social Work master’s program. Her thirst for really making connections with people led her into the social work concentration.
“The weekend program allowed me the flexibility to work, take care of my son, and continue my education,” explained Berte. “Through my schooling, I feel like I have been able to link a person’s physical health with their mental make-up, and bring it all together. I have always enjoyed the communication needed to help people.”
As a hard-working graduate student, Berte quickly learned the value of internships, and how the right experience at an internship site can lead to future professional success. Following some great advice, Berte was headed down a path that would set up perfectly down the road.
“My faculty advisor in the Social Work program mentioned there was a posting for a fitness instructor position at the Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Facility,” explained Berte. “She knew I was passionate about fitness, and she also helped explain that if I could get the fitness position as a part-time job, that would help with an internship as well. During my internship, I was learning so much about the different options that were available, and making important professional connections as well.”
During Berte’s internship, opportunities would start to develop. Three correctional counselors were leaving at the same time, and that created a vacancy that Berte was prepared to apply for.
“I went for the job interview and received the correctional counselor position,” explained Berte. “As a result of having my foot in the door because I was interning there, I think that helped give me some leverage in earning that counselor position.”
In addition, Berte was getting close to graduation day, and she was able to align her internship with the opportunity to take part in the Hampden County Sheriff Department's Correctional Officer Academy, an intense program for aspiring correctional officers. Recruits are challenged both mentally and physically, with training that prepares them for real-life scenarios within the correctional system.
“I was able to graduate with my master’s, and the following week, I also graduated from the academy,” explained Berte. “I think Springfield College did a really excellent job of emphasizing not only authenticity, but professionalism. I left Springfield College feeling prepared.”
Moving forward, Berte is honored to still be with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, and she remains excited to help serve our communities. She is also more committed than ever to work with current Springfield College students aspiring to utilize their education to help better our world.
"When working with current interns, I use my experiences of how my life took different turns, but opened up so many doors,” expressed Berte. “I'm just grateful to be where I am. I enjoy what I do and I walk in with a smile every day. Obviously, not every day is easy, but every day is rewarding and challenging. One thing I learned as a social worker is to meet people where they're at with the skill-sets they have, and help them meet their potential.”
Berte is a big believer in staying in the present moment on a day-to-day basis. Remaining balanced in her personal life allows her to be the best version of herself when helping her residents. Berte also appreciates the impact Springfield College continues to have on our surrounding community.
“We're fortunate to have Springfield College in our community, an institution that is always committed to giving back to others,” expressed Berte. There's so much goodness coming out of the College that transcends into our communities. I continue to love what I do in helping people, and that is always rooted in Springfield College.”
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