The Apprehensions And Anxieties Of Graduate Masters Of Social Work Students Entering Practice

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.

I have decided to pursue a Master’s degree in social work in order to provide the best services possible to the people who will be relying on me in the future. I know this is not an easy step; however, I am determine to get the best education possible for myself, my parents who have never attended school, my fiancé who has set his education aside to support me emotionally and financially, and lastly for those who do not have access to an

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 am not sure if my experiences as a first-year social work graduate student exactly mirror that of others. Actually, I believe it is unfair to assume that there is one “standard” experience of a student in this field, as the beauty of this profession is that it attracts people with a rich, and diverse array of experience that it is impossible to identify a “typical” student or social worker. With that being understood, I find it unsettling

I have been engaged in social work practice for over 12 years, and I regularly integrate my clinical social work practice experience into my classroom so that students have a sense of what their future careers might look like. In addition, I serve as academic advisor and mentor for approximately 25 students of a variety of ages and experiences. I see my role as an advisor as both mentor and guide. I also use advising to help socialize students to the expectations of social work practice. I have also served as field liaison to students completing practicum, in which I have provided support and guidance for students so that each student has a meaningful practice learning experience prior to entering the field. Additionally, in my current role, I have provided intensive mentoring to students of color and students with disabilities so that they continue to stay engaged in their learning

McIntyre informed me that having a Bachelor Degree in Social Work was rewarding; Nevertheless, she wanted to become an inspiring therapist. Therefore, she applied for the master program at Arkansas State University. She was accepted and in the summer of 2014, she started grad school. She did her additional training for the grad school at Day Spring Behavior Health. She was trained in diversity, social work value and ethical, and economic injustice with clients. Afterward completion of 60 credit hours and 400 field hours, she graduated with her Master Degree in Social Work, May 2016.

 "Burnout is the index of the dislocation between what people are and what they have to do. It represents an erosion in values, dignity, spirit, and will...It is a malady that spreads gradually and continuously over time, putting people into a downward spiral from which it's hard to recover"(Maslach & Leiter, 1997, p.17). Burnout has also been associated with lack of feelings of personal accomplishment and significance. Those that enter clinical practice often do so because they are willing to sacrifice a larger pay scale in exchange for doing a job that gives them a sense of accomplishment. Many social workers enter the field with an idealistic view the impact that they will have on the lives of their clients. When this view

Social work has taught me that in our relationships with others we are seeking respect, empathy, compassion and a deep meeting of who we truly are. This MSW program will enable me to conduct research into, and increase my depth of understanding of mental illness, and their benchmark graduate social work program will lay the necessary foundation by which I can later obtain my LCSW. To this end, I will be able to address the unique needs of adults, children and teenagers, as well as the mental health population. I feel that many so called “at risk” groups are purely those that need greater empowerment, a greater sense and the confidence for

Ever since I was a child, I loved helping others. Whether it was helping my mother take care of my little brother or helping my fellow classmates with an assignment, I was always there to lend a hand. This passion continued throughout my childhood and into early adulthood. When I began my undergraduate degree at Lewis University, I knew I wanted to help people in some type of capacity. I was guided to the path of Social Work because in this field I could combine both my passion for helping others and interest in social justice. After my first day in the Introduction to Social Work course at Lewis University, I knew that I had found my forever home. This career path would allow me to help others in a variety of different settings and capacities.

My career thus far has shown me that I am dedicated to working in a helping profession and that I hope to continue to learn and strive to be effective in this role for the forward progress toward access to equal opportunities and quality of life, wich is integral to the health and peacefulness in the larger communities within which I will work. My experiences during my professional positions working with children, adolescents, parents, and families have directly contributed to my desire to persue a master’s in social work as the next important step in my career. In order to further my education, I have taken several graduate courses in social work, education, and psychology. I have enjoyed graduate classes and being a part of a focussed learning community.

I am in college for one reason and one reason only; to further my education and earn a degree. Coming to SBU has always been my dream, I have always had an appreciation for the fact that by attending this university I can get a Christian based education. Beginning my journey here at SBU I have already wrestled with deciding on a major. Upon my arrival I thought I was going into English Education and then soon after I arrived I had decided on Christian Ministry, but again decided that wasn’t right for me. That process is what has brought me to where I am today; pursuing a degree in Social Work.

December 2016 I received my bachelors in social work. Through earning this degree I have learned so much more than I could have ever imagined. From all the papers, group projects, presentations, volunteer work, and field placement I not only grew as a future social worker, I grew as a student. Over the past two and half years, I learned to be a confident presenter, work as a team member, ask for help when needed, and stay true to myself. With that being said I have also seen my grades improve, writing skills improve, and people skills improve.

I, Carlos Delgado, truly believe that my past and current work experience has served as preparation to pursue my master’s degree in social work. I am very aware that it takes plenty of hard work and dedication to be successful in a graduate program, yet I believe that my experiences along with my current work experience will assist me in gaining that success in a master’s program.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is a national association of educational programs and individuals that confirms and improves the quality of social work education to become a professional job. CSWE puts in a countless amount of effort to strive for this mission by setting up a bachelor's and master’s degree programs in social work. On the other hand, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with approximately 132,000 members. To be more specific, NASW has a determination to intensify the maturity and developmental process of its members. The main goal is to retain professional standards and to create fair social policies. NASW progresses

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.