How have your professional, volunteer, and academic experiences prepared you for graduate social work education and contributed to your decision to be a professional social worker? Provide specific examples from your professional, volunteer, or academic experience to explain your answer. Describe your role and the organizational, community, and social context for your experience.
A few months ago, I was searching an article on the Forbes website. Every time you search an archive the Quote of the Day is displayed while the page is loading. One of the quotes was by Malcom Forbes himself, “The biggest mistake people make in life is not trying to make a living at doing what they most enjoy.” In this past year, there were several significant changes in my life which steered me on a path to soul searching and this quote has resounded in my head.
I graduated with a degree in Rehabilitation Services, synonymous with social work, which focuses on serving people with physical, mental, alcohol/drug, and cognitive disabilities. However, prior to graduating my father was diagnosed with stomach cancer. At this time, my mother had a full-time job, my school schedule was hectic, but I was travelling 3 hours back and forth most weeks because my time was needed at home so I could care for my dad when my mom could not. My dad passed away one month after I graduated college. I did not want to tell the story of my father to make you feel sorry for me. I simply wanted you to know that losing
Part I (Autobiographical Essay): What were the significant factors that influenced your choice of social work? What skills and experiences do you have that will contribute to your success as a graduate student and social work professional? How is the GCSW a good place for you to build on those skills? 2 pages, double spaced, 12 point font
Explain how you became interested in social work and why you chose social work as a major.
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.
1. Why or what led you to become a social worker or select social work as a career.
For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to pursue a career in social work. Helping others is something I have always been passionate about and I hope to be able to make a difference in the lives of those around me. Throughout my life, I have always been the person my friends would go to when something was wrong and they needed to talk. Growing up, I also experienced close family members struggle with addiction and mental health problems. I have seen how damaging these experiences can be on an individual. I have also witnessed the effects these experiences can have on family relationships. My personal occurrences have instilled in me a further desire to become a social worker.
Describe how your personal experiences with diversity and multiculturalism, which may include paid or volunteer work, have contributed to your interest and readiness for social work practice.
1. What are the main reasons for your interest in the profession of social work? Discuss any relevant life events or experiences that have contributed to your interest. Include why the social work profession is your career choice as compared to other helping professions. a. The main reason for my interest in the profession of social work is the opportunities it has.
The counselor that I was working with, who had been a social worker in the past, assured me that I could get through this time. She actually motivated to keep my major, at the time I was thinking about either dropping out or changing my
I was in grade 10 when I thought of becoming a social worker. As social worker practitioner the fields that interest me to work in is domestic violence and child abuse because I want to make change to the society. Also Mahatma Gandhi was my major inspiration through this quote “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”. Than an idea came to me, why not involve my contribution to the wide variety of communities. My communication with school counsellors and social workers has impacted my choice of desiring to study social work. I realised that if I have had a chance of seeing a social worker when I was young, things would have been much easier and less stressful. I want to provide opportunities that I did not encounter to other people. This essay will reflect my past experience, motivation and why I want to be a social worker, values, beliefs and theory of practice.
Two Year MSW Supplemental Questions 2018 Application What experiences motivate you to become a social worker? I am applying for a place to study social work because I have always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. I gained some insight into mental health while caring for my mom, who has been struggling with serious physical and mental health issues such as an eating disorder, depression and anxiety since I was young. I witnessed my mother in an endless cycle of binging and purging food due to a strong hate for her body, which eventually lead to depression and generalized anxiety disorder. In my first year of university, I began to show the same signs as my mother.
In completing this essay an opportunity was given to visit a social service agency to interview a social worker. The interview will focus on the educational background of the social worker, job duties, training, funding, organization structure, target population, recommended opportunities for growth, and the correlation between social work and course work.
Entry 1 On this module you have explored what might have led you to join the social work profession. Why is it important to think about your motivations for becoming social workers and how might this affect the way you practice? Why is self-awareness important in social work practice? Given your own unique background, what areas of social work might you find challenging and why?
Based on the salary that a social worker makes annually, I can be comfortable enough to live peacefully. A social worker makes up to $45,500 annually. (“Social Workers: Pay”).
How do you account for your interest in social work? In your response, discuss paid or volunteer experiences that support your choice of social work as a profession?
Research is important in many professions but in social work it is essential. I am not intrigued with research. I do not care to read other people’s research conclusions. I also do not like doing my own research. My least favorite type of paper to write is a research paper. I have a hard time drawing my own conclusions from other people’s research as well as backing up my ideas with research. I am aware that research is an essential part of academia. I also acknowledge research will assist me in being the best professional social worker I can be for clients, the profession, and myself.