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Social Work Mission Statement

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Helping people is something I have always felt like I am supposed to do. The mission and responsibilities of social workers, especially as it is laid out in the Columbia University School of Social Work mission statement, seamlessly aligns with my vision for how to best utilize my experience and passions. Specifically, I hope to use social work to address social justice issues and help empower individuals who cannot advocate for themselves due to societal barriers. Experiences in my personal life and volunteer and work positions have culminated in my decision to pursue a MSW. Knowing that there is a major need for workers in the field of social services, and that my life experiences and interests are aligned with a career attuned to serving individuals, families, and …show more content…

What initially set me apart from my peers and sparked my interest in counseling was what I experienced at 8 years old when my parents divorced. Divorce was uncommon in our community, and none of my friends knew what to think or say about it, thus I initially internalized the pain and grief. Fortunately, I had an open line of communication with my parents throughout the process, and my sister and I were able to take part in an after-school counseling program with our school social worker. In those sessions, we learned coping skills with other students who had experienced divorce or the loss of a parent. Having an objective listener to help me through a difficult time, and feeling genuinely understood and accepted made all the difference in a time when my own friends did not know how to talk to me about it. These sessions gave me tools to cope with the divorce and go on to have healthy relationships. It was not until I transitioned from high school to college that I realized how many adolescents experience difficult events without the support system of a counselor, often leading to negative life

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