Undergraduate student Allison Bloski felt a keen interest in research and contacted the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program at the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement to find an opportunity.

“The program set me up with a research mentor and guided me through the research process,” she recalled.

As a social work student, Allison was paired with Chelsea Shore and the FSU Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness to study the Recovery Ally Challenge Course that was delivered to students in a fraternity at Florida State.

“Working on research as a student was such a fantastic opportunity,” she emphasized. “I could apply the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world situations.”

The Recovery Ally Challenge course provided participating students with an experiential learning activity with debrief questions. The activity combined the process of recovery with physical activity to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery through critical self-reflection and problem-solving activities. The aim was to support students in developing the skills needed for assessing their own substance-using behaviors and the skills to form recovery-friendly environments.

“Researching substance use and misuse among college students has profoundly shaped my academic and professional interests,” reflected Allison. “It was eye-opening to learn about the ideas and stigmas that other students have surrounding substance use. It sparked a passion for further understanding the nuances of addiction and its impact on not only the individual but the community and culture surrounding it.”

She also appreciates the opportunity to collaborate across campus with various professionals and students focused on substance use and addiction. “This deepened my knowledge in this area, which I hope to bring into future practice,” she said. “In addition, I improved my presentation and communication skills.”

The process wasn’t without its challenges. “Research was something I had never done before, so there were lots of obstacles to overcome. But this built resilience, perseverance, and confidence in my abilities.”

Allison condensed her research experiences into a presentation that she and her co-presenters Kirsten Price and Fabinana Raygada shared at the 23rd annual FSU Undergraduate Research Symposium.

“Putting a wealth of research into a condensed presentation was a learning experience,” Allison recalled about interacting with researchers, professors, students, and attendees, discussing the research, and receiving valuable feedback.

“Presenting at the symposium was both exciting and nerve-wracking. Being able to show all the time and effort put into the research throughout the year made it worth it! The symposium was. A stepping stone for my future.”

Now a senior in her final field placement, Allison is taking the skills she learned and contributing as part of the FSU Early Head Start Program, a voluntary program to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for mothers and children ages 0-3 years old In her role, Allison will make home visits and implement support services and activities with participating families.

“I am interested in working with children, especially foster children,” she said. “As a future social worker, I know that intersectionality exists in many areas. Bringing my range of experiences into my future practice will make me a more well-rounded professional.”