Becoming A Professional Social Worker

Explain how you became interested in social work and why you chose social work as a major.

Within the past twenty-five years, my life experiences have led me to become passionate about social work. Although my journey in social work hasn 't been something I’ve always known I wanted to do when I was young, a combination of personal, professional, and academic experiences has pointed me into the direction where I am today. As the oldest out of four siblings, my family has always worked hard to get where they’re at now. Knowledge of my parent 's personal; as well as, their professional struggle of not having a college degree has led them to work hard for everything they 've received in their life. Acknowledging what my parents have gone through has pushed me to receive my Associates in Liberal Arts so that I will able to graduate with my Bachelor of Social Work in the Spring 2017.

With a master 's level education in social work, I see myself envisioning clients’ health and well-being. As a student, I will study and practice techniques, beyond a generalist perspective, that will allow me to give clients hope and the ability to see something greater than what they are facing. Upon completion of a Master of Social Work direct practice degree and certificates in gerontology and mental health programs, I intend to become a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I will competently incorporate specialized skills in different professional settings while developing my knowledge of a wide range of social issues and professional standards. With commitment, I wish to develop skills that will enable me to create or find hidden resources and services for my future clients, create platforms through counselling for victims of trauma.

Part I (Autobiographical Essay):  What were the significant factors that influenced your choice of social work? What skills and experiences do you have that will contribute to your success as a graduate student and social work professional? How is the GCSW a good place for you to build on those skills? 2 pages, double spaced, 12 point font

Entry 1 On this module you have explored what might have led you to join the social work profession. Why is it important to think about your motivations for becoming social workers and how might this affect the way you practice? Why is self-awareness important in social work practice? Given your own unique background, what areas of social work might you find challenging and why?

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to pursue a career in social work. Helping others is something I have always been passionate about and I hope to be able to make a difference in the lives of those around me. Throughout my life, I have always been the person my friends would go to when something was wrong and they needed to talk. Growing up, I also experienced close family members struggle with addiction and mental health problems. I have seen how damaging these experiences can be on an individual. I have also witnessed the effects these experiences can have on family relationships. My personal occurrences have instilled in me a further desire to become a social worker.

How do you account for your interest in social work? In your response, discuss paid or volunteer experiences that support your choice of social work as a profession?

1. Why or what led you to become a social worker or select social work as a career.

Discuss the origin and development of your interest in social work; include any influences that your family, personal, educational, and vocational experiences may have had on your career choice.

I have always felt the most fulfilled when I was helping others and entered college with plans to major in Psychology and become a therapist. After my first year of college, I learned about the social work profession, and that I could become a therapist with a Master’s in Social Work degree that could be completed in one year of graduate school. I decided to investigate social work and took an introductory course.

1. What are the main reasons for your interest in the profession of social work? Discuss any relevant life events or experiences that have contributed to your interest. Include why the social work profession is your career choice as compared to other helping professions. a. The main reason for my interest in the profession of social work is the opportunities it has.

Two Year MSW Supplemental Questions 2018 Application What experiences motivate you to become a social worker? I am applying for a place to study social work because I have always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. I gained some insight into mental health while caring for my mom, who has been struggling with serious physical and mental health issues such as an eating disorder, depression and anxiety since I was young. I witnessed my mother in an endless cycle of binging and purging food due to a strong hate for her body, which eventually lead to depression and generalized anxiety disorder. In my first year of university, I began to show the same signs as my mother.

I was in grade 10 when I thought of becoming a social worker. As social worker practitioner the fields that interest me to work in is domestic violence and child abuse because I want to make change to the society. Also Mahatma Gandhi was my major inspiration through this quote “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”. Than an idea came to me, why not involve my contribution to the wide variety of communities. My communication with school counsellors and social workers has impacted my choice of desiring to study social work. I realised that if I have had a chance of seeing a social worker when I was young, things would have been much easier and less stressful. I want to provide opportunities that I did not encounter to other people. This essay will reflect my past experience, motivation and why I want to be a social worker, values, beliefs and theory of practice.

Research is important in many professions but in social work it is essential. I am not intrigued with research. I do not care to read other people’s research conclusions. I also do not like doing my own research. My least favorite type of paper to write is a research paper. I have a hard time drawing my own conclusions from other people’s research as well as backing up my ideas with research. I am aware that research is an essential part of academia. I also acknowledge research will assist me in being the best professional social worker I can be for clients, the profession, and myself.

In completing this essay an opportunity was given to visit a social service agency to interview a social worker. The interview will focus on the educational background of the social worker, job duties, training, funding, organization structure, target population, recommended opportunities for growth, and the correlation between social work and course work.