Date: August 23, 2007, 2007
Contact: Lindsay Gladstone
Governors State University
Phone: (708) 534-7090
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: l-gladstone@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
University Park, IL, August 23, 2007 - It is every student’s dream come true - to graduate with a great degree and the opportunity to practice what has been learned, earn a salary while skills are honed, and do it all in a tropical paradise on the shores of the Caribbean Sea.
For Matthew Sherbine of Steger, it is more than just a dream. In less than a month, Sherbine will graduate from Governors State University with a Master of Health Sciences in Addiction Studies and move to Belize, where he will work as an addictions counselor at New River Cove, a private, state-of-the-art treatment facility.
“It is an amazing opportunity,” said Sherbine. “It is a great professional opportunity as well as the chance to get to know a totally different country and culture.”
Sherbine’s job offer came after Pat Breshears, Program Administrator of New River Cove and graduate of Governors State University’s addiction studies program, contacted the coordinator of internship placement in the addiction studies program, Professor Dave O’Donnell.
“We are always pleased when our graduates contact us,” said O’Donnell. “Pat asked me to recommend graduates for work in Belize. It is a great compliment to our addictions studies program.”
In addition to Sherbine, several other GSU students are currently applying for internships at New River Cove.
Internships are an important component of the addictions studies program. According to O’Donnell, addictions counselors must complete 4000 direct service hours or two supervised and approved internships to be certified. While Sherbine’s one-year commitment to the facility in Belize is a fulltime, paid position, it also fulfills the criteria for his advanced internship. He is very pleased that his first job after earning his degree will also lead to certification as a substance abuse counselor.
“We will have a formalized affiliation agreement with New River Cove, which enables our students to fulfill their internship requirements at the facility. Their progress is supervised to ensure that it meets the highest standards,” said O’Donnell.
Sherbine’s preparation for his move to Belize includes stocking up on sunscreen and insect repellant.
“I have always wanted to visit other countries. I have traveled around the United States, but have never been out of the country. I will miss the cold and snow. I enjoy cross country skiing, but I am sure I can get used to the heat and sunshine.”
For more information about the addiction studies program at Governors State University, call (708) 534-4910 or visit www.govst.edu/chhs.
