Aubrey Tesch
Aubrey Tesch
Class Year
’21
Current home
Madison, Wisconsin
Major(s)
Social Work
Current Position
Social Worker and Foster Program Coordinator at WisCARES Veterinary Clinic
Aubrey Tesch ’21 graduated from Carthage with a degree in social work and a minor in business administration. Today, she works as a social worker and foster program coordinator for WisCARES Veterinary Clinic. In her role, Ms. Tesch helps clients experiencing poverty or homelessness find resources for themselves and their pets, facilitates social work and communication sessions with veterinary students and staff, and manages requests to temporarily house pets for clients. “During the foster period, I work with the client to reunite them at the end of their pet’s foster stay, which can look like finding resources for housing, job support, and more. We’re proud of our foster program’s 75 percent reunification rate.”
Ms. Tesch stays involved with Carthage by keeping in touch with the Social Work Department and Professor Debbie Minsky-Kelly. She networks with current students and participates in panel discussions for the College. Additionally, she attends the National Association of Social Workers — Wisconsin Conference, a conference that many Carthage students attend annually. “Being able to help out my alma mater by keeping in touch with the social work staff and talking with students is something meaningful I can do for the school.”
What have you enjoyed most about your career?
“I enjoy seeing the growth and change come into a client’s life that they weren’t sure was possible. Guiding a client to start believing in themself and supporting their situation can make a world of change. A newfound joy of mine is being at WisCARES and seeing how special people’s relationships with their pets are. It’s something I’ve seen in other roles I’ve had but haven’t witnessed it up close until this position. The love they have for their pets, the lengths they go to for them, can be quite amazing to see. I’m honored to be able to see that bond as a part of my work.”
How did Carthage prepare you?
“My social work professors helped prepare me for my career! They all had unique backgrounds and perspectives to share from their own careers, which helped guide me into the type of social worker I want to become. Not only that, but I learned about my graduate school program and the human animal environment interactions certificate from my professors! Aside from my professors, the content of their courses was very informative and assisted in shaping me into the social worker I am now.”
Tips for current Carthage students?
“I have three pieces of advice that I’ve come to realize were essential for my journey. First, build strong relationships with your peers. Having that sense of community that you can go to for guidance and support can make a world of difference for your professional growth, your own self care, and your mental health. Community can be healing while you’re in college, so try to keep in touch with those in your classes, clubs, sports, and dorm floor!
“Secondly, don’t wait for an opportunity to appear. Seek it out, especially if you’re in an internship and there’s something that you’re itching to do while in that space. You have an allotted amount of time there and at Carthage. Lastly, take time to reflect on what your ideal life will look like after you graduate. It may sound a little preachy, and it’s something that I wish I had taken a look at earlier. It can help you prioritize what’s most important to you and can potentially prevent events like burnout.”