Msw Personal Statement

Social work introduced itself to me at a very young, and tender age. Growing up in foster care, not being able to see my parents, watching as family members died before I could say goodbye, and constantly being called orphan in school, taught me a great deal about the scars I would carry for the rest of my life. While I tried to play the role of a normal kid, hanging with friends, telling stories of happy childhood memories, it was simply a mask to hide that I knew my scars were burning inside me, that happiness wasn’t a luxury I could enjoy. Going from foster home to foster home was a reminder of that unaffordable luxury, and soon I grew to be so insecure that I could not function without having someone tell me what to do, or reassure me that

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.

Growing up I witnessed my sister and grandmother deal with serious mental illness. My sister and grandmother both were diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It has always been my passion to help them manages their episodes. Growing up witnessing these episodes I always knew that I wanted to help those who are struggling to cope with mental health issues. Social work is not just a passion of mine, but a solution to the struggles many people face every day. I learned my “caring and compassion” for others, from my mother. My early experiences were a driving force for me pursuing my master’s in social work. As a child, my mother took in adults, children, and families within our neighborhood and afar to aid them in difficult times. Whether it was for a meal, a night, or longer, she has spent her life caring for others. The passion my mother possessed for helping others has become my

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

Being a foster parent is a choice that I made with a lot of support from my family and friends. I

The social work field has been a consistent portion of my life for the past six years. I was employed by the Mental Health Resource Center (MHRC) from 2011-2016. From 2011-2014, I worked as a case manager. In this capacity, I worked with families who had children removed because of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. My goal was to recommend services which would alleviate the reasons for removal. However, if the parents did not show any behavior change and were not successful in completing their court ordered tasks, we would have to change our goals to what was in the best interest of the child. In addition to recommending services, I ensured that children received therapeutic intervention, had visitations with their family at least three times a week, transported my clients to appointments, enrolled children in school, prepared court documents, requested records, and documented my efforts to reunify. From 2014-2016, I was promoted to supervisor. My unit consisted of five case managers and a case coordinator. My role was to guide, teach, and

First and foremost - my life is dedicated to the service of others. Through my time serving as Parkwood Beta President and the State President of the North Carolina Beta Club, I have understood the importance of a servant’s heart. I have had the honor of being Student Body President and Class President here Parkwood, and during my tenure I provided vital assistance and planning to events that included, Spring Fling, Winterfest, Powderpuff, Teacher Appreciation Week, dances, pep rallies; and, simple facilitation and leadership within the PWHS Student Council at large. Moreover, I have had the great opportunity of serving on the Executive Board of the PTSO for a few years now and served as the student liaison between the PTSO and the school. I had the honor of assisting with the Parkwood Pride 5K,

The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science has been called the most diverse square mile in Mississippi. Before coming to MSMS I had never seen other children my age who were Asian, Indian, or any other race except for Caucasian and Mexican. I didn't have a chance to talk to other children about their cultures or beliefs until I came to MSMS. Being at MSMS gives me the opportunity to speak to one of the most diverse student bodies in Mississippi. I am able to listen to the different languages spoken by the children here such as Vietnamese, Korean, Hindi, and Spanish. I also get the chance to join cultural clubs established by the student body. Currently, I am a member of the Asian Student Association. The ASA meets monthly to discuss

On many levels, I secretly desire to be this professional social worker that has experienced many different realms of social work practice. As I maneuver through my first couple days of field, many questions run through my mind as to what’s to be expected of a master’s level social work. Although, I’ve only had the pleasure of working children and families as a social worker; it has broaden my desire to want to know more.

I'm a guy from Sweden who's interested in both Harry Potter and astronomy, and therefore I'd like to apply to become an assistant teacher in the subject Astronomy. I've been a member for seven months, I've graded a lot of assignments and also done several assignments myself, so I'm kind of experienced with homework. When I grade I focus on whether or not the student has answered the questions and if all the requirements are met. If given a grade below Outstanding, I always include what the student should've done to get a higher grade.

A scream resonated down the hallway. My 6 year old mind was overwhelmed- a man wanted to put some instrument in my throat and ears, a woman wanted to give me shots, my mother looked worried behind that stern loving face and I’m supposed to be a brave girl?! I could not even fake a stomach upset for these well-child hospital visits!

Another important aspect of social work is acknowledging our own privileges and disadvantages. In working with homeless people, I realized how incredibly fortunate I was and am to have a roof over my head and food on the table every day. Being a straight cis-white woman from an upper-class family, I have not seen the vast social and financial hardships that most Americans face every day. In acknowledging this privilege, I am better able to acknowledge and help those around me. With everything I am so fortunate for, however, I must also acknowledge my own social and personal hardships. Growing up in a household afflicted by alcoholism and depression forced me to become independent at a very young age. This experience, along with being diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder when I was ten-years-old, has influenced my passion for mental health. Because I was lucky enough to have access to early intervention, I was healthier and happier, I could concentrate better in classes, and I more easily made and maintained friendships. Had I not had early intervention, I don’t believe I would be where I am today, having graduated from high school with great grades, gone to Vassar College, and been able to pursue my dreams with the support of best friends and a partner.

After I graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara I was unsure what my next step would be. Of course I was anxious since I did not have experience working nor did I excel in my undergrad studies however, I knew I needed to use my newly earned degree in a positive way. Fast forward, after working for two years, I have gained the skills, knowledge and values from my work experiences that have confirmed my desire to advance my education in the social work field. I currently have my own case load of clients as a case manager at a level 12 group home but it’s time to take the next step forward. I want to ultimately advance social justice and provide services to assist individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Every worthwhile journey begins with one step. My social work journey began when I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Utah in 2003. I thought my next step would be to immediately pursue a graduate degree. In my undergraduate career I had taken numerous classes from the College of Social and Behavioral Science and had done well in those classes. In my Social Work as a Profession course I had an assignment to shadow a social worker and write a paper about my experience. I chose to shadow my father-in-law, a social worker with over 30 years of experience, and in my paper I expressed my desire to go into the social work field. I knew I liked helping people. I knew I liked problem solving and critical thinking. I thought my 22 year-old self was ready to embark on that journey, but I wasn’t. I realize now that what I lacked at graduation was one crucial step… perspective. Over the past twelve years I have gained that much needed perspective and have taken many steps forward in my journey, and with those steps and that increased perspective, I now feel more fully prepared to begin my social work career.