Social Work Personal Statement

I would like to express my interest in social work. I chose the social work field. Because I grew up in a troubled home, and always wished there was a voice for me. I was a child of a single mother who was in several violent relationships. Because of my past, I’ve always had a passion for troubled children.

My main reason for applying to the Simmons School of Social Work is that it is an accredited university with an excellent reputation as an educational institution and offers an MSW program that is predominantly online. I attended Thomas Edison State University online and earned my bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.9. Once I made the decision to continue my education, I searched for MSW programs that were available online with CSWE accreditation in compliance with New Jersey State social work licensure. I found that Simmons’s specialized program in clinical social work is well suited for my educational needs.

The decision to take the clinical route as a second year MSW graduate student, was one that took no hesitation to make. My passion for children and the preservation of families have been a propelling factor in my Social Work career; both academically and professionally. These two entities have motivated me to remain steadfast on the journey to obtaining my MSW so I can continue to be a vessel for children and families who are in need of support and empowerment. The clinical spectrum of social work practice has strengthened my ability to work proficiently with multiple clients and perform well when assisting families in different realms of social work practice. The knowledge gained during my four years as an undergraduate BSW student and

I am a young woman of Vietnamese heritage; born and raised as a resident in the United States since birth. I graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Health Science field with a minor in Psychology. Though I have completed my undergraduate studies, I feel that my academic path is not yet complete in that there is more I can contribute to the field of social work, given further guidance and education. Through both my obstacles and accomplishments, I see that with further education combined with my drive and determination to help families and children achieve stability, I can contribute further and create a lasting impact not only towards my community, but in a macro sense, change the world for the better.

For as long as I can remember, I have always had an interest to work in a field of helping others. At first my focus was on youths and how I can help those individuals in need, but then I became more interested in working with elders who can not properly care for themselves. I also became interested in working with families that are going through a difficult time in life such as a divorce or a bad living environment. These thoughts greatly influenced my professional ambition. My desire to further formalize my love for helping others has gained my interest toward the field of social work.

There are many reasons why I want to join the undergraduate program in social work. Many of these reasons come from both academic and personal experiences. As a child I lived in a poor neighborhood where I was surrounded by people who were experiencing poverty, homelessness, cultural and language barriers, unemployment, discrimination, and other problems. I also saw friends and family later in my life go through hardships that ranged from child abuse, domestic violence, to drug addiction. These experiences greatly affected how I saw the world.

I have chosen to pursue an MSW degree because I want to enter into a career that would be challenging, interesting and perhaps life-changing. Although I have a background in psychology, I’ve grown fond of the counseling aspect within the social work field. An MSW degree will allow me to work in different settings while gaining knowledge of the dynamics of complex issues that come with helping others. While working in positions that have exposed me to many groups of people, I have gained in depth knowledge of how dynamic and multidimensional humans can be. This is an understanding that I not only learn while working, but personally experience within my own household.

I am a Latina, a solider, and a soon to be Social Worker born to Dominican immigrants in an impoverish neighborhood in Spanish Harlem. I am the first in my family to purse a bachelor’s degree and would also like to be the first in my family to purse a Master’s degree. I will like to demonstrate to other Latino’s and the younger generation in my community that getting an advance degree is very possible. I knew that obtaining any degree would be financially challenging for me living in a single parent household. However, I know that being successfully is not an easy walk in the park.

My path to a college education has been bumpy and full of roadblocks. The path has not always been clear, but I remain focus on my goals so I don’t look in any direction but ahead. My commitment and motivation to study Social Work came about during my temporary position at One Stop Career Center and volunteering in case management. For example, working amongst case workers or medical social workers that provide community resources shined a light on my future. These professionals may also act as liaisons in court cases; report particular physical or substance abuse; and provide consultation to individuals seeking employment.

Since I was a child, I always knew I wanted to be employed in a field that involved helping others in some fashion, such as teaching or counseling, and eventually realized social work was my calling. While I struggled to decide on a college to attend since I was two years younger than the average freshman, RIC seemed to be a great option and now, I could not be more thankful for the experience. The social work program here is truly inspiring and challenging and the connections I have made, both academically and socially, will last me a lifetime. Currently, I am a junior applying to the major this year with minors in sociology and gerontology. After earning my MSW, I intend to work with the elderly since this has become my passion over the years.

1. Social Work Knowledge I am interested in applying to the Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies. I intend to enroll in the Master of Social Work for the Fall 2018 semester.

Social workers possess an innate set of talents, characteristics and skills that enable them to work as helpers and aid others in recognizing their own skills and abilities. For, as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be a social worker and make a difference in the lives of others. I can attribute my passion for helping others to my parents; because of them, I have developed a set of values that are similar to social work’s core values. They lay the foundation for not only what I believe as a professional, but are essential to who I am in my personal life. The values that have been installed in me through my parents and reinforced throughout my education allow me to understand and recognize that everyone has a story to tell and

I have spent the past twenty years working in the social work field, and my passion has not wavered. I feel that I am a strong candidate to your program, because of the many valuable experiences in social work and my desire to continue to help others. I want very much to continue my education because it will open up more career opportunities to help people that I cannot with a bachelor’s degree. If I am accepted into your program, I feel that I am able to address obstacles to successfully complete the master’s program.

Growing up, I couldn’t imagine myself studying social work. Never pictured myself ever trying to work for Child Welfare especially. I didn’t like what social workers represented and I also didn’t like how they made my siblings and I feel. After many years later I am about to graduate with my bachelors in Social work and applying to the Calswec program. Studying social work here at Humboldt state really gave me a different perspective and a positive one too.

I am applying to the two year program at Stony Brook University because I want to further my education so that I can pursue my goal of helping others achieve a successful and productive life. My passion originates from realizing that there is a need for social workers who can make a difference in people’s life by being supportive and providing the necessary aid needed for everyday survival. Therefore, I believe by completing my master’s degree in social work I can help build a better world by providing care and services that is imperative and vital for survival. There have been many experiences that have influenced my goal to be a social worker. I have learned through personal and profession experience that helping people can have a huge impact.