Social Work Personal Statement

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

As a veteran of the U.S. Army, I have always been committed to selfless service. It seems to be a natural transition to pursue a career as a social work educator and researcher. As an educator, I would like to enhance students' ability to observe, critique, and question the things that they learn regarding social issues. This will enable students to become stronger advocates for social justice while allowing them to think critically about how the larger societal systems have an impact on the lives of individuals, families, and communities. My pursuit of research stems from the desire to gain and add knowledge around issues that impact urban communities.

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.

I was born in the third world country where analphabetism is at its zenith poverty is rampant. I Migrated to America from Haiti where you have to learn a new language, your no longer in your comfort zone. In 1987, coming in to America its different then the Caribbean where really give me a more focus on how to better serve my people, by pursuing my dream. At first my parents wanted me to be a nurse but that was never my interest. I always wanted to be a social worker because the field always fascinated me and also to have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings.

I come from a family of 10, not including my parents. I was adopted from Haiti, by a kind spirited, Christian, couple who were doing what the Lord sent them to do. They were missionaries, and nurses, serving abroad and ended up coming home with five babies from over there. It wasn’t something that was planned, but just happened for them. In the same sense that is how I came to the Social Work profession.

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.

Upon entering my undergraduate years, I searched for a school of study that would allow me to work alongside these vulnerable populations and fortunately found social work. Over the next four years, I saw my interests range from school social work to international social justice to health care and beyond. The ability to study so many different areas of social justice appealed to me, as this BSW degree equips me with the generalist practice knowledge to enter practically any practice setting. No matter where this degree takes me, social work offers thousands of career options, so I know I will revel in this long-term commitment to the profession.

I wanted to study the mind and it fascinated me and that’s when my career took a spiral turn. I also was dealing with a lot of anxiety and depression and hoped that majoring in this field would help me cope better with my stress, and it did. Also, being there for families that are going through the same struggle. It’s very overwhelming to deal with knowing what your child has, but it doesn’t stop there for the parents and caregivers. Next, you have to be overwhelmed with all the resources that are out there and find something that fits your child’s needs.

It is time for social workers to step up and present their clinical knowledge and evidence-proven research to the public. Social workers know mental health better than most providers because in small rural communities like mine we are the primary mental health providers. A well-respected school, such as University of Southern California, would give me the knowledge to step-up and make the change I so desperately want. My past academic and professional experiences have allowed me to demonstrate innovation and creativity in my work.

My interests lie in pursuing a Master’s degree in the field of Social Work. I find that this profession offers a unique mix of interdisciplinary fields; it includes theories from economics, education, sociology, medicine, philosophy, politics, psychology, and anti-oppressive and anti-racist discourse. I find this area of study very exciting. It is a fast growing area of study with tremendous potential. Social Work is a professional and academic discipline committed to the pursuit of social welfare, social change, and social justice.

As a graduate student, I’m often presented with one question. Why did you select social work as your major? Throughout my life people have always had the tendency to divulge their problems to me and ask for advice. As a small child I always had big dreams of becoming a police officer; so that I could be the voice for the scared or voiceless people. I also wanted to protect those who could not defend themselves.

My interest in pursuing a professional career in social work came from my passion to help others. I come from a Hispanic family that migrated from Monterrey, Mexico to Houston. I remember my parents having a difficult time adjusting to a new environment. My mother’s sister was her only resource. She was her go-to for everything, and although she had been living in the United Sates for a long time, she was not aware of many of the programs available for low-income families, like us.

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.

Social work has been a passion since I was a young child, advocating for people whom otherwise may not be able to assist themselves. Social work offers empowerment and self-actualization to individuals to accomplish their life’s goals and being apart of that creates a self-reward, I honor with great gratitude. I chose social work as a profession after working with individuals challenged by mental illness; I wanted to make a difference not only in the individual’s life, but in my community. After pursuing an undergraduate degree in social work, I wanted to achieve the highest level of education in my field; therefore going to graduate school was an inevitable career choice.