Social Work Personal Statement

Social work professions need to understand the importance of how individuals interact both with other people and their environment, to have an understanding how individuals are affected by these interactions (Rogers, p. 2). According to Rogers (2016), “Social workers are knowledgeable about human behavior across the life course; the range of social systems in which people live; and the ways social systems promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving health and well-being. Social workers apply theories and knowledge from the liberal arts to understand biological, social, cultural, psychological, and spiritual development (p. 2). Their work with clients begins with assessments to evaluations of intervention and is based in and supports of the core value system of the profession.

Types of degrees required in the social work field. The social work field has a variety of positions available to meet the occupational desires of many different people. Most occupations in this field require either a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree. The position that I found that was of the most interest to me, which required a Bachelor’s degree, was Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists, although the majority of the positions that were of any interest to me all required a Master’s degree. These included rehabilitation counselors and mental health counselors.

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.

Social Work is a career defined as “work carried out by trained personal with the aim of alleviating the conditions of those in need of help or welfare”. Social work varies in several fields, social workers work as part of multi-disciplinary teams with child welfare organizations, adoption and foster care agencies, hospitals, schools, prisons, mental health institutions, and more. Social work may leave the impression that it’s an easy field because it is assumed that all social workers do is serve others and manage paperwork but that is only a small chunk of the job. Social workers must deal with the ethical and emotional aspect of helping others. As a social worker, it is critical to comply with the National Association of Social Workers

When I first entered the field of social work at Southwest Mississippi Community College, I was clueless as to what the social work profession entailed. At Southwest MS Community College, we mostly focused on perquisites and a few classes related to family. After, leaving Southwest MS Community College and entering Jackson State University, I realized my previous college did not teach me anything relating to the field of social work. However, my entry in my first class Ethics and Values at Jackson State University taught me about the six core values in social work, such as service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence. Upon, my entry into JSU, Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) program, I understood that social work was not about assisting only children. There is masses of people who need, social workers to advocate for better housing, food, medical care and other basic necessities to survive everyday life.

This semester, I’m enrolled in the Clinical Practice with the Military Family to increase my knowledge and understanding when working military families. As a military sub-concentration student, this course will provide the necessary skills and knowledge needed to enhance my work as an effective military social worker. I’ve been at my placement now for about nine weeks and I am getting more comfortable in interacting and using different psychotherapy techniques with my clients. The clients that I am assigned are diagnosed with anxiety, depression, bipolar and schizophrenia. Even though I’m not working with military families in my placement, I believe that the knowledge that I am gaining in class about clinical practice with military family will be helpful in my future work and it can also be helpful in my current placement.

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

My step father would serve two or terms in Operation Iraq. Coming back in 2006, he would develop PTSD. I also saw a need in diversity in Social Work and other areas of service, Social Work lacks African American Women and mental health community. I can relate across the board of being African American, woman and lower socio-economic status. Those challenges and personal challenges fuels me to be an agent of change.

Social Work is a distinctive practice and an ever-changing field in our world today. A few especially intriguing aspects of this profession are the wide spectrum of its professional values and ethics, appreciation for human diversity, and the emphasis on social and economic justice. With such widespread approaches and focuses, a master 's degree in Social Work would open endless and exciting possibilities for my future. However, I believe that before a career is even considered, one must examine their personal motivations and influences.

By researching more about social work, I will gain more knowledge and I would also be able to educate people about the program. Also, I can talk to my professors and also students ahead of me to tell me about what to expect regarding the future and what I need to do in order to succeed in the program.

Education has been an important and crucial part of my life. At a very young age, my parents instilled in me that receiving a good education would grant you a successful life. I have taken those words of advice as a constant reminder and motivation for my education. Due to this advice and many other impactful reasons, I have decided to pursue a master’s degree in social work to pursue my career goal of becoming a social worker. Moreover, with the encouragement and advice of professors that I admire and respect, I knew that pursuing graduate school and a master's degree was in the realm of achievable.

This essay is a fulfillment of the requirements for admission to the Masters of Social Work at Fayetteville State University, also a highlight of my interest in the Social Work field, and the forces that motivated me day by day. This essay briefly explains my hopes and goals for pursuing a graduate degree in Social Work. Someone may ask, how do you perceive Social Work? “Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities.”

The Council on Social Work Education was founded in 1952, it represents Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards for all Social Work education in the United States (“CSWE”, 2017). This program provides Social Worker with leadership professional development through quality education. The Council on Social Work Education enhances programs through the United States through National accreditation focusing on faculty development, international collaboration, and advocating for Social Work education and research (“CSWE”, 2017). Their mission is to enhance programs through education for professional practice for individuals, family and community well being, social, economic and justice (“CSWE”, 2017). Such programs are established to ensure the proper education and guidance needed by Social Workers to practice and advocate for those in need. Social Workers must obtain a Baccalaureate and Master’s social work degree to prepare them to become effective responders to meet the needs of others in the community.

For this reflective journal, I have decided to draw parallels between approaches to social work that I have learned in my placement, and what I have learned during my academic career at Carleton University. Placement thus far, has been an eye-opening and rich experience, which has taught me about the profession that I aspire to be a part of. I am a third year student, and much of my time spent at Carleton, has been studying theories, and becoming exposed to different schools of thought. Theories are incredibly beneficial, to teach and inform the practice of the next generation of social workers. However, placement has provided me with the opportunity to apply theoretical ideals, to real life social work practice.

At Retreat this semester, I was able to put my counseling experience and personal knowledge into practice by counseling people of different social and cultural backgrounds and experiences. I was able to work with individuals of different faiths, with substance use issues, severe trauma, and individuals with previous experience in prostitution and the mafia.