Thomas S. (T.S.) Williams
Statement of Interest
Stephen F. Austin State University School of Social Work
Degree Objective: MSW
I would like to bring social justice to individual lives by advocating for equality and ensuring access to basic resources for the most underserved populations in our communities. I have been involved in community advocacy with different organizations for most of my adult life, and I have always believed that if there is a problem work talking about then there also are solutions worth exploring and implementing. I’ve had a long-term interest in the field of social work, however it was in 2008 that I decided this was the field for me. I had the opportunity to volunteer with the PeaceJam Foundation at a local conference; PeaceJam is an organization that works with 14 Nobel Peace Laureates to mentor youth, creating young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities, and the world. The impact that I witnessed on the young incredible lives was a defining moment; I knew that I was going to pursue a Masters in Social Work; it feels like a calling rather than the unfulfilling office career I once pursued.
My success as an MSW candidate will be enhanced due to a multitude personal qualities, and life experiences that center on themes of social equality. I have a history of advocacy and passion for social justice that will further the social work profession when working with marginalized communities. I have been deeply involved in
Working toward social justice for others has already begun for me. I know that being a graduate student with help hone and refine my skills as a clinical social worker. After I graduate, I have a long-term goal of working in community and hospital settings. I am especially interested in issues that relate to families.
Prior to being in graduate school I was not fully aware of all the opportunities and experiences in social work. I have since gained more knowledge of macro level opportunities in the field of social work, such as advocating for human rights, and social justice. I have also been presented with the chance to tackle tough policies that directly impacts clients that I have interacted with through my experience in social work. I plan to continue to identify weakness in various systems to promote social justice, and learn more ways to change social institutions to be more humane and
I believe acquiring a PhD from the Hunter College Silberman School of Social work will enable me to strengthen these fields, regardless of me becoming a social worker or a politician. The correlation of my professional and community experience demonstrates to me how imperative the social work is needed within our society. Social work can be utilized to treat communal issues or generate enough support for effective policies. Social work protects, heals, and creates solutions within communities. In correspondence, social work and its different utilizations intrigues me into pursuing my career in government. Social work itself is a dynamic field containing many virtues for professional and social development. Most importantly, I believe that I have the integrity, perseverance, professional experience, and dedication to be a great asset to the prestigious Hunter College Silberman School of Social
I will integrate social, economic and political justice into my social work career by empowering and advocating for my clients. I will ensure that my clients receive everything they need in whatever setting I am employed. By continuously monitoring current events, state and federal policies as well as policies within the organization that I am employed, I can recognize policies that will affect my clients. By recognizing unjust policies, I can advocate against them and empower clients to advocate for themselves. Additionally, I will be a member in professional social work organizations and assist them in fighting for social, economic and political
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.
In applying to Arizona State University’s School of Social Work (ASU SSW) Ph.D. program, I aspire to peruse a career as a social work educator. I plan to use this platform and newly acquired skills developed with the university, to advance the field
As stated earlier, I believe that the social work field will allow me to bring attention and professional support to disadvantaged populations. Persuading the MSW program at this moment in my life will not only allows me to help those in need, but it will strengthen my personal values and approaches that I consider to be essential in order to efficiently help others. My approach stems from three concepts that I find to be vital: humility, optimism and determination, regardless of the circumstances. Hoping to be permanently guided by those principles, I will continue to embrace my commitment to the disadvantaged and to be a voice for the
My passion for helping the vulnerable is one reason I ‘am inspired to become a social worker. I also want to be available to provide support to those who have nowhere else to turn. My experience in social work has taught me to celebrate the small victories towards positive changes. I look forward to gaining the skills and knowledge to aid me in becoming a successful social worker.
After I graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara I was unsure what my next step would be. Of course I was anxious since I did not have experience working nor did I excel in my undergrad studies however, I knew I needed to use my newly earned degree in a positive way. Fast forward, after working for two years, I have gained the skills, knowledge and values from my work experiences that have confirmed my desire to advance my education in the social work field. I currently have my own case load of clients as a case manager at a level 12 group home but it’s time to take the next step forward. I want to ultimately advance social justice and provide services to assist individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
My understanding of the social work profession is to help communities, youth, families, groups and individuals who face inequality and hardships so that they can see the positive possibilities life has to offer. I faced similar hardships growing up therefore, I strive to empower people who need to have their voice heard and bring social justice to America. My dream is to make a difference by helping create a society that provides robust opportunities to anyone that may be disadvantaged. I would like to obtain my Masters of Social Work by influencing others and helping them to succeed in life.
I know many potential candidates for the MA in Social Work degree are typically drawn to studying the course due to painful experiences exposed to them through their lives that they don’t want vulnerable people to experience. As for me, I am fairly lucky to have had a very secure and traditional upbringing with two parents at home, with the love and support of my family surrounding me. I have appreciated this my whole life and I would love to help vulnerable families, adults and children, who are experiencing difficult times to achieve the happy life we all deserve. Having decided on a career in social work early on, I have steered my academic studies towards this field, choosing to study Sociology at A Level whilst taking up the opportunity to work as a support worker for a programme run at school.
In this day and age, there are so many options for young people when leaving 6th form or college, that is if you are able to obtain the necessary grades. However, due to injustices that occur in everyday life, for many children it is not possible to reach their full academic potential and therefore many options such as university are not accessible to them. With only “15% of full time qualified citizens within the social workforce in the UK and 4,570 social workers” needed to fill current vacancies, it means many of these children remain un-helped. According to a NSPCC article, there are ‘currently over 57,000 children identified as needing protection from abuse in the UK’, and 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls being abused before the age of 18.’
I want to contribute my passion for social justice to the LLC, but also my perspective as a member of intersecting marginalized groups. As a lesbian I have to deal with both homophobia and sexism, so being an intersectional feminism is a large part of who I am and what I can contribute to this group. By reflecting on the inequality I have experienced and sharing that with my peers in the LLC, I hope I can put a positive spin on my negative experiences in the past and help shatter stereotypes on campus.
My mother was a strong and independent woman who worked every day cleaning houses to put food on the table, she laid the foundation for my own personal strength as a woman. My mother also struggled with an undiagnosed mental health disorder, one that made her socially awkward. I always used to say that my mother “had the fastest hand on the west” a believer in hitting first and perhaps asking question later. It was during my early years that I developed a way of working with my mum and seeing the impact of mental health. Learning such skills as a young person is one reason why I chose the social work world and because I connect so well with people with addictions and mental health disorders is one reason why I have chosen this area for graduate studies.
I have come to accept that I find satisfaction when I steer toward volunteer positions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and advocacy groups that focus on improving quality of life and give a voice to different international groups. It is from this realization and from my remarkable experiences both with disfranchised women in the Republic of Georgia and with my experience volunteering at Bridge Refugee Services that I found my true calling: international social work. I’m driven to help those who are voiceless and to advocate for those who are misfortunate. The opportunity to pursue my Master’s Degree in Social Work at Boston will give me the chance to fulfil my passions.