Personal Statement For Social Work

I believe social work is a passion and is consistent with my personality traits: loyalty, commitment, and personal servitude. This passion coupled with the forthcoming skills gained from an MSW degree at Florida International University, I will have the honor of becoming a professional social worker with unlimited possibilities to advocate, provide direct services or lead an organization-all of which will lead to my ultimate goal of positively affecting the lives of vulnerable people. FIU offers a quality, high-intensity program that will surely equip me with the tools to do this great profession and act of public service

I have always desired to work with children. Growing up in an urban area you’re able to observe numerous family types and see firsthand abuse and neglect. Sadly, this was my motivation to go into the Human Services field. To reach my goals, I realize that I must pursue a bachelor’s degree in Human Services. I would like to obtain my Masters, but I figure one degree at a time. Obtaining this degree would contribute towards my efforts in working as a Social worker.

The composition of the United States of America is rapidly growing as well as the amount of problems that plague vulnerable person in society. On the undergraduate level I pursued a degree in social worker due to my interest in alleviating the needs and empowering people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty especially in urban communities. I would like to pursue graduate school to obtain an advanced skill set that I can utilize to empower this population. I am confident that I am well prepared for graduate work due to my current gpa of 3.7 and active participation in my field internship. During my undergraduate career I have acquired the generalist knowledge of the social work profession by learning and applying theoretical

First and foremost, I want to gain knowledge from a great education. I don’t want knowledge that I can just get in books but I want the experiential learning that is the signature of The University of Texas’ School of Social Work graduate program. To that end, I want to go to UT–Austin School of Social Work because UT–Austin School of Social Work has over 400 internships. These internships are critical to me learning in a relevant way exactly how to be the best social worker that I can be. Although I relish learning for learning’s sake, I want to be able to use that learning in a practical, hands-on experience actually helping real people in a community setting. UT–Austin School of Social Work’s will help me achieve that desire.

These life experiences have prepared me to be a social worker because they have demonstrated that I am capable of doing things that I thought were impossible. Since I have excelled at my undergraduate courses, I am prepared for the more rigorous Master’s level curriculum. I demonstrate professionalism in my classes

Making a difference in improving people’s lives fascinates and motivates me. During my tenure at Community Systems Inc., I served as an Assistant Manager and currently serve as a Residential Educator Counselor. These two positions have allowed me to support dually diagnosed individuals in their residences and community. I now have a great appreciation for people’s difference that in turn has taught me patience and empathy for others. I also have learned to handle unpredictable high -stress situations and have resolved each situation with composure. I have excellent work ethic, verbal and writing skills in both English and Spanish. I understand that the Social Work career is high paced and demanding, but it comes with the reward of knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of others. Working in the social service field has given me the experience and strength in leadership, maintaining calm and caring demeanor in times of crisis, strong work ethic and teamwork. Therefore, I am ready to formally become a social worker with all the needed credentials to continue to learn and grow in the social service

I made the decision prior to graduating with my bachelor’s degree in 2013 that I wanted to become a social worker. I have always enjoyed working with people and becoming a social worker would enable me to have a positive impact in individual’s lives. I waited until 2015 to start this journey as my husband had been in the military and I was unable to pursue a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) due to the required field work. However, now that we are permanently settled in Jacksonville, FL I am able to accomplish this dream. I feel that individuals deserve to work with social workers who have a deep desire to create a change or help implement a change in their lives. Every future client has a history, and it is my responsibility to help their future be bright.

As a social work student, I have discovered that social work is an overlooked profession. Many people used to ask me “what can you do with a social work degree?” when the real question is “what can you not do with a social work degree?” Nowadays, we are surrounded by social workers; they work in the schools, universities, hospitals, courts, prisons, different community based organizations and more. People also said that “social work doesn’t pay enough”. However, what they do not know is that every day as a social worker is rewarding; knowing that you have made the difference in someone’s life is priceless.

As a social work student, I have discovered that social work is an overlooked profession. Many people used to ask me “what can you do with a social work degree?” when the real question is “what can you not do with a social work degree?” Nowadays, we are surrounded by social workers; they work in the schools, universities, hospitals, courts, prisons, different community based organizations and more. People also said that “social work doesn’t pay enough”. However, what they do not know is that every day as a social worker is rewarding; knowing that you have made the difference in someone’s life is priceless.

Each of us has a story to tell. All of our experiences, accomplishments, and hardships help shape us into the individuals we are in this very moment. I have learned more than I could have ever imagined while receiving my bachelors of social work from New Mexico State University. My work as an undergrad has educated me in the realm of generalist social work practice. I have learned the value of the strengths perspective and the power of empowerment to promote the health and well-being of an individual. I have joined the battle to fight for social justice to help prevent oppression and discrimination. I have seen the importance to always be willing and committed to continuing my professional development as a social worker by

“Social work isn’t just a career, it’s a lifestyle, and a lesson in responsibility and relentless optimism” (Anonymous, 2015). As a sophomore in college, I was deeply confused on what to do with my future. I had wanted to be a nurse, but was not experiencing the enjoyment I had thought I would. I had always had a desire to help others, it was just a matter of how. I explored several different career paths, such as education, law enforcement and paralegal studies. While these career options would allow me to help others, I did not feel fulfilled. I wanted to help those who weren’t just experiencing common setbacks, such as a reading deficiency or legal issues like divorce. I knew I needed to help those who truly didn’t have much to turn to. When I discovered social work, it was like a piece that had been missing in my life. During my last semester of my undergraduate education, I interned at a crisis center that provided services to those in situations of domestic violence. I was not at all excited for this internship; I didn’t believe it would be as interesting as the other placements my classmates had gotten. By my field advisor’s advice, I went into this internship willing to help, but lacking enthusiasm. My eyes were truly opened to the experiences these clients had and what they needed to help them recover and strive. I spent countless hours working with the caseload of women and children I was assigned to. It was not an option for these women to struggle or worthless in their path to recovery. I made it my goal to help them start their new lives with everything the desired to be successful. There were many nights I went home completely defeated, but I knew I was being depended on. This pushed me to be the support my clients needed. Seeing my clients leave shelter and thrive in their new life made vow to never be anything, but a social worker. I have made social work my lifestyle, not just a career.

Living in an area which is affected by poverty, drugs, high crime rates and bad education has motivated me to become a Social Worker. I grew up in a home with generous and loving parents, but as I got older, I realized not everyone was as lucky to have such an experience. I want to provide that for children, families, and adults. Several experiences have stimulated my attraction to the field of social work. My interest in the Social Work profession became apparent during my younger years when I was growing up. It came from a love of volunteering, expressing great enthusiasm for church and school service event, also I when started doing my interns as a secretary or as an office assistant working with children and families of all ages. At each intern, it was always this one child or an adult who were in situations they had problems getting out of and I couldn’t do much about it. Even sometimes on a personal level as friends would come to me for advice or for me to listen to their struggles and provide comfort. These moments helped me realize the power of simply being there for someone, and it increased my interest of pursuing a career where I can support those who need it most. As I became older, my interest in social work grew. Throughout my college years, I met my brother’s girlfriend for the first time and we actually connected and had a bond since. She was a senior in high school at the time we met. After a while, I gained her trust and we started talking every day.

I was impressed by a good friend of mine when she mentioned about the classes she was taking at my home country there in La Paz Bolivia, South America. My friend’s emotion, passion, and energy when counting me about her experience by at that time doing her internship in an agency in that, later on, she would become the Director until the present, made me think that Social Work is the career that I want to pursue. I enrolled in the social work career and I finished it working in an NGO. In that agency, I worked with several woman migrants from rural areas, that wasn't inserted in the labor force and that several of them were the breadwinners. I started my life experience as a social worker there, and that experience inspired me to continue my education years later. After have worked and lived in my hometown for several years I decided to move to this country which would give me more opportunities to work and study., but I had to face one little problem here, at this moment that problem was the propulsion that helped me to stay here to apply for a master classes at this time. I didn’t speak the English language, I just knew the basic but I saw that starting as an ESL student I would one day to learn this language and look for a job I wanted to perform. That job was to have a spot as a Social Worker in some place I would be welcomed to work.

I have always been drawn to helping people from a very early age. I was always interested in the profession of clinical work primarily to assist families and children overcome similar problems that I had growing up. I come from an impoverished ( penniless ?) , broken home in Detroit, Michigan where I experienced sexual abuse as a child. I was unstable, confused, and angry for a very long time during my childhood until I met my last therapist. She helped me understand and to work through many of the thoughts and emotions that I was feeling at the time. With her help, I was able to graduate high school and become the first person in my family to go to college. Being sexually abused as a child had a negative effect on me. I went through a lengthy process of forgiveness and acceptance, all while trying to make the best use of my existence whilst at the same time satisfying a need to give something back. My former therapist and a few of my professors are the reasons that ultimately shaped my life and career aspirations. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I was never abused or if id never met my therapist. It is because of those past experiences that I decided to dedicate my life to social work and pursue an MSW (degree?).

Throughout my life, I have had a deep passion for being a social worker. I have always appreciated the impact the field has on people’s lives, especially in its ability to instill positivity into a discouraged person’s life. I have high hopes that this is the best decision I am making in my life because I feel I have a position in touching the lives of others. I anticipate realizing my dreams in having a fulfilling life experience, especially when I am through with my academic journey. Also, I expect that this is the right time for me to make up my mind on the career choice and decide in advance the type of life I want to lead in the coming years. I expect that by joining social work, I will transition easily and integrate seamlessly with the community because of the principles I treasure. I value a high opinion of humanity and respect for dignity, and I am thus looking forward to dedicating my life towards a service career that is life-changing. Because of the impression it leaves, on peoples’ lives, the flexibility it offers, and the positive growth anticipated from the career, I believe that being a social worker provides the smartest idea of my career dreams.