Social Work Personal Statement

I began my social work studies over twenty-five years ago at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. I never questioned my decision to pursue a career in social work; I loved my classes and worked hard to learn as much as possible. But the information I gained in undergraduate school simply opened the doors of my education. Most of my learning has come through constant questioning, personal research, and especially through work and life experience. Through these experiences I have encountered the challenges faced by individuals, families, and society and have been able to further access and develop the innate personality traits and abilities that originally led me to study social work as well as learn and practice the many skills necessary to be a successful mental health counselor.

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.

The decision to take the clinical route as a second year MSW graduate student, was one that took no hesitation to make. My passion for children and the preservation of families have been a propelling factor in my Social Work career; both academically and professionally. These two entities have motivated me to remain steadfast on the journey to obtaining my MSW so I can continue to be a vessel for children and families who are in need of support and empowerment. The clinical spectrum of social work practice has strengthened my ability to work proficiently with multiple clients and perform well when assisting families in different realms of social work practice. The knowledge gained during my four years as an undergraduate BSW student and

When I first heard of human services, I was first confused with being human resources. Back then about two years ago, I made the decision to go with social work from my original psychology prerequisites. Calling the CSU, Dominguez Hills office, I was actually confused of the word human services when I actually called for information on social work. After some research with human services, I've decided to major in the field and to attend at CSU, Dominguez Hills. How I got into human services/social work, it was a long personal journey I had to take that lead me to this field.

Masters of Social Work Personal Statement Everyone goes through times in their lives when they are not sure as to where they want to go in life or what their intent is. I always knew that my generic life intent was to help others, but that was never a good enough reason for me. Even up through my sophomore year of undergraduate studies, I did not know exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. It was the exhilaration of providing children with the thought that they could do anything they wanted to and be whoever they wanted to be that made me realize what my life's plan was. Realizing that my obstacles, my experiences, and my unsureness was exactly what I needed to go through in order to understand that I needed to be that encouragement, that perseverance, and that voice that advocated for youth.

Personal Statement Coming into Florida State University, my plan of action had nothing to do with social work really. I came to the university with the intention to go into Clinical Psychology, therefore I was majoring in psychology and minoring in biology for the first semester or so of my time here at Florida State. While my path has changed, my ideas and goals have remained the same for the most part. I have known for a long time that I truly want to work with and help people. Growing up with a very challenging and trauma filled childhood, sincerely made me want to help others that are suffering or suffered previously from the same sort of things I had to deal with.

I first became interested in social work in the fall of 2015. In this semester, I became very confused as I received my notice of declination to the nursing program. At this point, I did not know what I wanted to pursue my career in because, I was interested in becoming a nurse for a long time as I saw my cousin succeed in this field. I really wanted to follow in her footsteps. As weeks went by after receiving my declination, I started to become very upset with myself and did not think I had the potential to do what I wanted to.

My journey for school started thirty-eight years ago; I graduated from high school in 1979. I attempted to attend college after I graduated from high school, but I married a few months later and chose to drop out of school. My second attempt was in 1992. I attended community college and was now a mother of three children. Suddenly, my husband passed away.

Ideally, I would like to save everyone that needs help, to be the shoulder to cry on, the sounding board for advice—anything that could be of help to someone. I spent a lot of time convincing myself that becoming a social worker was not a probable, that I had lost my chance because I didn’t start early enough. I then decided that I wanted a degree in early childhood education and that I wanted to work with children with special needs with the ultimate goal in opening a charter school for special needs where children could all feel as if they belonged and were a part of something. When I finally went to enroll into the program I found that the Human and Social Service (HUAS) program was available and I just took it as a sign that social work was really what it is that I wanted to do. Even as a child

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.”

One of the most fundamental reasons I am applying to Fordham University to study social work is because I am passionate about helping others. This is a passion that when translated into a career in social work, will not only help me thrive, but also allows me to bring happiness to others. Throughout my professional and social life, helping others has been a top priority. Through both my internships in the social work field and through my extracurricular activities in charitable organizations, assisting those in need is one principle that stays constant. My motivation for becoming a social worker stems from the sweeping social justice issue of substance use and addiction.

Ages ago in the summer of 1999, I graced my parents with my presence, shortly after my birth I was named  Nicole Merkel-Hays. In the future, I eventually strive to earn a living working for the Department of Child Protective Services here in Iowa. This is my first year as a college student. It is my plan to major in social work, after I receive my associates degree in social work from the EICC. I intend to complete a bachelor's degree at a four-year university.

As my mother struggled to raise my eldest brother and me, it became clear that she could not afford the rent anymore due to her getting laid off. The time came when we had to relocate and move to the infamous Madden Park Homes projects. I learned and experienced so much at a young age growing up in this environment; good and bad. Over

My objective for undertaking graduate studies at Fordham University is to receive my Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work. I believe that social work is a very rewarding career that comes with challenges that I would like to be a part of. Growing up in a very family orientated household that stressed the importance in selfless service leads me to pursue a career in social work. The idea of helping others and being that person who changes a human being life for the better gives me a sense of satisfaction. While growing up, I use to have an elderly neighbor that lived alone.