Sonia Nand co-founded a peer mentorship group to support fellow Social Work students at Douglas College. As a current facilitator at Community Living BC, she works with diverse groups of people, helping them regain stability and resilience while embracing community-building.

By Tanta Siriporn Na Rajasima, Marketing and Communications

Sonia Nand always knew she wanted a career in helping others, but didn’t know exactly what type of career that would be. After she completed high school, she worked various jobs, searching for something that truly resonated with her values. It was only after she took a continuing education course in Medical Office Administration at Langara College that she was exposed to an important role in the medical system – social work. 

“Working in hospitals, I learned about the different needs of people and realized how crucial it is to provide care for others and walk alongside them in the stage of life that they’re present at. That’s what inspired me to pursue social work,” Sonia says. 

Inspired by her experiences working in medical clinics, Sonia applied to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at Douglas College, where she finally found the direction she had been seeking. 

“As an immigrant, I’ve noticed gaps, particularly the barriers in areas like education and accessibility for people who are new to the country,” she adds. “Social work helps individuals overcome challenges in so many different areas, and that’s what drew me to it. It’s about finding those missing pieces and helping people not only get back on their feet but also pursue their goals during that time.” 

A fresh take on empathy through the Social Work program

Once Sonia started her studies, it didn’t take long for the BSW program to affirm her choice by providing her with opportunities to explore the diverse facets of the field.  

“In social work, there are so many avenues you can take. I like the flexibility of working hands-on at a micro level, where you engage directly with people in one-on-one settings, or taking a bigger, macro approach within an agency,” she says. “In medical clinics, the focus is often solely on medical treatment, but social work is more comprehensive. It looks at all the parts of a person.” 

Sonia took this holistic mindset and applied it to her two practicums at the Lookout Society and the Take a Hike Foundation, where she gained an invaluable understanding of advocacy and empathy. “The practicums exposed me to different populations and taught me how to empathize, especially working in places like the Downtown Eastside where the challenges are deeply complex,” she says.  

Beyond practical skills, the sense of community within the program was also a key part of Sonia’s development as a social worker. “I felt supported by the instructors without even having to ask because they were just always there,” she shares. This strong network helped her navigate the challenges of the program and reinforced her commitment to the field. 

One class, endless impact: Sonia’s peer mentorship initiative 

While Sonia’s education and practicums have shaped her to become a well-rounded social worker, it was one specific class, taught by instructor Cal Oliver, that induced her enthusiasm for community-building and shifted her perspective on social work.  

“That class, Social Work Between Systems and Research Methods in Social Work, highlighted the power of communities working together to achieve inclusion and shared goals,” she says. 

Motivated by this concept, Sonia co-founded a peer mentorship group for social work students at Douglas College with some support from friends.  

“In our first semester, I wished I had guidance from students further along in their education.  By the time I reached my fourth year, I wanted to change that by creating a support network across all years. The goal was to give advice, especially around practicum choices, so students wouldn’t feel as lost as we did,” she says. “As the leader of the group, it was also a chance for me to find my voice and advocate for others being their representative.” 

Although the group is still in its early stages, it has already made a noticeable impact by providing students with a place to connect with senior peers for guidance. “I’ve received some informal feedback from students who are grateful to have a central space to seek advice, even though we’re currently only using a WhatsApp group while we work on building our website,” she says.  

This experience brought Sonia back to the importance of community working together as a whole and further prompted her to consider launching nonprofit organizations in the future, with a focus on areas like South Asian mental health. 

Helping the underprivileged reclaim their narratives

After graduating, Sonia handed the peer-mentorship group to current Douglas students and secured a full-time position as a facilitator with Community Living BC. She works with families, youth, and adults with disabilities, continuously learning and improving her social work skills. She also holds a part-time position as a community outreach worker with Vancouver Coastal Health, where she provides immediate support to people in shelters. 

One of the most gratifying aspects Sonia found in her daily work is building deep, professional relationships with her clients.  

“As a social worker, sometimes you’re the only support a client has. I once spoke with a homeless woman, just exchanging a few words, and when I returned the next day, she recognized me. That simple moment of connection was powerful because it showed how much even small interactions can matter, especially for people who often feel invisible. We social workers create connections on a personal level.” 

These relationships underscore the collaborative nature of effective social work. Sonia stresses that social workers are an integral part of the healthcare team.  

“Each health service profession works much better when we collaborate. Social workers complement the work of nurses, doctors and other professionals to deliver the best outcomes for clients,” she says. 

As for her advice to other social workers? “Find your voice. Learn to advocate for yourself and your clients. That’s how I started the peer mentorship club, by realizing the power of using my voice. I’m still learning, but I know that advocating for people’s best interests and promoting self-determination is what will ultimately make a difference.” 

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Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work program at Douglas College.