Social Work Personal Statement

I began my social work studies over twenty-five years ago at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. I never questioned my decision to pursue a career in social work; I loved my classes and worked hard to learn as much as possible. But the information I gained in undergraduate school simply opened the doors of my education. Most of my learning has come through constant questioning, personal research, and especially through work and life experience. Through these experiences I have encountered the challenges faced by individuals, families, and society and have been able to further access and develop the innate personality traits and abilities that originally led me to study social work as well as learn and practice the many skills necessary to be a successful mental health counselor.

I am pursuing an MSW at this time with the goal of becoming a licensed clinical social worker in order to provide advanced substance abuse and mental health counseling in western North Carolina. I have many work experiences that contributed to my choice of social work as a profession. I am currently a certified substance abuse counselor intern as well as a certified minister. I provide counseling for members of the congregation I serve.

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.

I am a Licensed Social Worker; Case Manager proficiency, skilled in interviewing, treatment and discharge planning. I can multi-tasking when need be, while maintaining a strong work ethic and exhibiting a positive attitude. As a counselor/ case manager, I am bringing several years of experience in counseling individuals of various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, including multicultural sensitivity. Expertise in crisis intervention

I moved to California three years ago to pursue a Master's degree in social work at USC. During the time I have lived here, I have gained invaluable experience working full-time in the social work field. My first social work related job in California was working at an IMD step-down program for transitional aged youths and adults with dual diagnoses. From there, I began working in the Wraparound program at Aviva Family and Children's Services as a Child and Family Specialist. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with these agencies but am also very excited to begin graduate study at USC's School of Social Work since my graduate education was the reason for my move to southern California.

I’m a senior majoring in Applied Psychology at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) graduating this May. I am writing to express my interest of working as a Fill-In Domestic Violence Shelter Worker. I’m prusing a masters in clinical psychology counsling at Roosevelt University in the fall. The major of Applied Psychology has given me many hands-on experiences, which corresponded to this position. I took clinical interviewing, which gave me the experience of conducting intake interviews with volunteer participants. This course helped to enhance my skills such as paraphrasing, showing empathy, reflecting feelings, and active listening.

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.

Hello, my name is Roslyn Smith-Walton, currently employed full time at a residential AOD, (alcohol and other drugs) program. Enrolling in college full time was quite the challenge, a duel major student, pursuing my AS degree in Human Services, SUD, (substance use disorder) simultaneously majoring in Pre-Social Work. My long-term goal is to obtain my Master's as an LCSW, (licensed clinical social worker).

I am graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Social Anthropology with a minor in Political Science and a certificate in Indigenous Studies from Dalhousie this spring. I am very interested in this position, as I have been considering entering social work myself for the last few years. It would be a wonderful opportunity for me to experience what a career in social work would entail. I have extensive experience in researching articles and synthesizing data into essays, briefing notes, and reports both academically and professionally. I have great interpersonal skills and I value working with others as it allows for an intersectional approach.

I have desired to enter the field of Social Work for as long as I can remember. Caring for others has always been second nature to me. Over the years I have been exposed to many different life experiences, which have introduced me to a wide variety of people, many of them dealing with a multitude of different life hurts which includes addiction, abuse, and mental illness. Having been exposed to such diverse life experiences, the Lord has taught me to love the hurting, and has filled me with a desire to help those in need. I have, for many years, had a soft spot for young moms that are living with an unplanned pregnancy and contemplating adoption.

Social work will enable me to make a great impact in people’s lives; it will be used as a resource to help the less fortunate. My passion is helping people, therefore, I have spent many years studying theoretical knowledge relevant to mental health conditions; my academic background is in Psychology (mind, brain and behavior). Social work will enable me to observe and treat patients, and it complements my theoretical understanding of mental health. Moreover, there are communities that need mental health services but are short on resources. Ultimately, my goal is to provide mental health services and resources to underserved communities, and Edinboro University is my school of choice to accomplish that.

I am applying for a summer internship with the Rockefeller Foundation as part of the U.S. Youth Employment team. My interest in working for the Rockefeller Foundation stems from my passion for philanthropy and service. Since high school, I have always made an effort to do things that would help make my community better. As an intern on the U.S. Youth Employment team, I will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge I acquired inside the classroom to help implement positive economic and social change.

I am writing to reaffirm my interest in being a part of the Master of Social Work program at King’s University College. I would like to sincerely thank King’s University College Graduate Admissions Committee for taking the time to look through my application amongst the thousands of applicants and offering me an opportunity to be on the waiting list. While I am disappointed that I was not among those initially offered admissions I am still very excited about the possibility of studying at King’s University College, as it is my top choice and if accepted off the wait list, I would happily attend. I have chosen King’s University College as my top choice because it offers a unique Direct Practice Master Of Social Work program. I learn best through

As a transfer student, I was reluctant to pursue a higher education at first. When I finally finished my requirements, I wanted to apply to a university that would make my pursuit of learning an even better experience. Accompanying going to college, I also volunteer at a local hospital, Harbor UCLA. There was where I learned about people from many walks of life while providing assistance. Patients would come in with their social workers sometimes in need of items such as clothes. I would observe the social worker and felt a connection I had not felt since I was 7. I had met a social worker after my parents’ divorce who explained that it would get better and assisted my mom with enrolling both of us into programs the county offered to get started on our new beginning. Transitioning from my community college to UCI was intimidating, yet exciting. The classes I took contributed to the general classes I took at the community college. My interest in Psychology and social behavior started when I took General Psychology with Dr. Amy Himsel, an intriguing professor. At UCI, my first Psychology class was called Personality and was one the most interesting taught by Dr. Joanne Zinger. The different approaches and class dynamic caught my attention in that they explain the subject of Psychology well. It answered my question I had since my parent’s divorce of how people undergo certain situations. I have also had the opportunity to work with the UCI CARE office as my field study experience. This department provides UCI students and faculty with resources and educational awareness about sexual assault and abuse. The Social Work Master’s Program at California State University Dominguez Hills is a great foundation for an inspiring career in social work. This Program would give me an academically and socially improving chance to become an

To dive into the most personal reason as to why I wish to be accepted into Boise State’s graduate social work program, I’d like to start with my childhood. I grew up in a traditional, loving and embracing home that had its fair share of chaos. My father, who will soon celebrate his tenth year of sobriety, struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction since long before I was ever blessed with life. He was what my family would call a ‘functioning addict’, as he was a semi-proactive father and husband who always had a job, but not typically for more than a year at a time, and most people who were new to meeting him had no idea he struggled with such battles. My family was put through a lot to say the least and the same goes for my parent’s marriage. As a young girl with even younger siblings and a mother who was trying to maintain her marriage, family and career with an addict for a spouse, I inherently took on the role of being the head of the household when my father was inebriated and my mother was working. I felt no pressure from my mother to aid in household chores, ensure that my siblings ate dinner and stay occupied away from our dad when he was drunk and unable to tend to them. My mother would actually prefer that I not help my dad to the bathroom or bed when he was incapable of doing it himself without getting hurt along the way, as it was “not a daughter’s job”. But I couldn’t help it, as much disappointment my heart had from broken promises of sobriety and empty apologies, I knew in my heart that if I never gave up on him, he would never give up on himself. Now