Social work graduate Allene Fields turns dreams into reality
As a child growing up with a deep curiosity about the world beyond her hometown, Allene Fields (social work ‘23) would spend hours immersed in atlases and encyclopedias. That early fascination with global connections was more than a fleeting childhood interest — it was the first signal of a lifelong commitment to international human rights work.
"From a very young age, I have always had a deep desire to learn about the world," said Fields. This desire would eventually lead her far beyond those dog-eared atlas pages to Geneva, Switzerland where she now champions international human rights.
Finding Her Path to International Impact
Today, Fields serves as a Stakeholders Engagement Programme intern at UPR Info, an
organization working alongside the United Nations' Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. Her role intersects global policy and grassroots advocacy, allowing her to amplify the voices of civil society organizations fighting for human rights around the world.
Her path from aspiring global citizen to UN-adjacent professional was not always clear. When it came time to plan her future after college, Fields knew she wanted to take her skills abroad and understand how change happens on a global scale.
She was attracted to the Master of Human Rights program at Scotland's University of Stirling because of its partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.
"Getting my master's abroad has allowed me to see if living overseas is something I can see myself doing long-term,” said Fields. “It's also given me the chance to meet people from all over the world. It’s been a great fit, and I am so glad I decided to pursue this path.”
Making a Difference Abroad
In her current position at UPR Info, Fields has found her niche. She recently helped facilitate a UN pre-session where civil society representatives shared pressing human rights concerns with country delegations — the kind of direct impact she had always dreamed of making. Her work spans from research and writing to graphic design and social media management, all in service of helping stakeholders engage effectively with the UN's human rights review process.
"Through my coursework and internship experience, I realized I have a passion for helping civil society and those on the ground share their voices in order to influence change," Fields said.
This realization has confirmed that her childhood fascination with the world has evolved into something more — a concrete way to contribute to global human rights advocacy.
Beginnings at Belmont
The foundation for this international career was laid during her time at Belmont.
"The faculty in the school of social work was phenomenal and offered me so much support," Fields explained. "Even though the path I chose to pursue was less common, my professors did everything they could to help guide me towards my goals."
During her final semester at Belmont, she secured a pivotal internship with an international organization in Washington, D.C., which would later prove invaluable for her graduate studies. Fields credits Belmont's comprehensive curriculum, particularly its research courses, for preparing her for the demands of international work. Her academic preparation has already yielded results.
“I recently had the opportunity to write a mini journal article for one of my master’s classes that will soon be published,” said Fields. “I don't believe this would have been possible without the support and expertise of my social work professors at Belmont.”
For current students dreaming of similar international careers, Fields emphasizes the importance of forging your own path through research and initiative.
"Since there was no set pathway for what I wanted to do, I had to pave my own through researching," she said. She encourages students to leverage University resources and faculty expertise to explore international opportunities, while always letting their passions guide them.
As Fields continues her work, she represents a new generation of social workers taking their skills to the global stage. That curious child who once traveled the world through atlas pages has grown into a professional working to make that world a better place — one human rights initiative at a time.