Living under government oppression since I was a child, the seed of advocating for the vulnerable and those who have been unfairly treated has been deeply planted in my heart. My education and work experiences have further strengthened my faith that pursuing Ph.D. degree in Social Work is the most effective way to achieve my career goals. My life story and education and work histories outlined below will provide evidence of my qualifications and strong motivation.
I have always known that I wanted my life work to be helping others. Although I did not know what I wanted to do specifically, my goal was to find a career that can better lives of those less fortunate than I am, while also making a good living financially. Through schoolwork and volunteer experience I ultimately chose a path in social work, with an end goal of working with families who have been effected by addiction. I would like to work hands on with those who have the addiction, but would also love to help their family members cope with decisions made by their loved one.
I have been working as a social worker for the past three years. In all these years, it has always been my desire and passion to acquire enhanced social skills and knowledge to help me empower disadvantaged individuals and families take control of their lives. My desire therefore to pursue a Masters of Social Work degree (MSW) has been inspired by over three years of continuous work with families, children, youths and adults who require support to cope and combat oppressive structures and social injustices. It has therefore been my dream to pursue MSW program which I believe is the only program that can help me to accomplish my goal.
Throughout my adult life, my passion has been to help others. I have always been driven to make the world we live in a better place, even if it is just for that one person. My passion and drive have been the influencing factors in my personal history, my interest in Therapeutic Recreation and my academic and career goals.
When I first received this assignment, I perceived it as just another requirement for this class but, as I began researching social work as a career path and interviewed my internship supervisor, I soon saw the value of this project. Given that my career path is unique and fairly modern, I was unable to locate an interviewee who could provide me with the specific information about this specialized field, but I was, however, able to interview Pat. Even though Pat is a clinical psychologist who works with at-risk youth instead of military youth, I do aspire to be a youth program coordinator, so she was the perfect choice. Thanks to the positive relationship that I have with her, this interview went much smoother than I ever could have expected.
Thanks to my involvement at the Aaron Center, my interest in gaining my Master of Social Work was solidified. I was grateful that I stepped out of my comfort zone for my advanced internship and wanted to gain more experience with diverse members of society. Therefore, it became important that I build on the knowledge I already gained in order to advocate for the rights of oppressed populations. I immediately began to research schools that would best fit my career goals and aspirations. After talking with my professors, supervisor, and academic advisor I was guided towards Temple University’s College of Public Health. As I read the School of Social Work’s mission statement, I knew wholeheartedly that Temple University understood what it truly
Tired, tired of the screaming and the pain of hiding my bruises but I’m scared. Scared that if I leave he will go after me, if I hide he will find me. But I need help someone please help. 911 what’s your emergency, I can’t take it no more I’m afraid, I’m afraid that next time he will kill me. Cops arrive at the area and storm into the house they arrest the man and attack the women to a shelter for abused women. Where she was greeted by a social worker that will help here solve and cope with her problems. There the women find the help she was looking for.
Author Ralph Waldo Emerson said “the purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” I have always recognized that I wanted to do something meaningful with my life. It wasn’t until a close family friend became ill that I finally figured out what that was going to be. That day is one that I will never forget. My father and I went down to visit our friend, Clarence, who was in Hospice after a long illness. My father, who considered Clarence a father, sat next to his bed, Clarence’s wife sat on the other side. I watched both of them intently waiting for him to ask for some water or some food, it was evident that he was growing weaker.
Hello class, I am Ashley Jimenez. This is my second year at Fayetteville State University, and my major is social work. After years of doing one or two classes here and there, and saying I was focusing on “general education,” I finally decided on a major in social work after a couple of personnel experiences. I am currently serving in active duty (Army) as a Staff Sergeant, and have been in the Army for nine years. Although the Army has an awesome MSW program partnered with FSU, I am not fully convinced that this is the route I’d like to go for my career in social work. My reason for being uncertain is because I would love to work with children and families once I am fully certified. Correct me if anyone has any information, but I believe that
Becoming a social worker was in my spirit long before I even knew what being a social worker meant. As a young child, I recall being deeply moved by things that I perceived as unjust, unfair, or just simply not ok. Why was there a man sitting on the street corner asking for food? Why did the little girl at school not have the right kind of clothes to keep her warm during the winter? Why were soldiers being depicted in movies …. What could be done to help these people? I would ask these questions, and many others, to any adult who would listen. Their answers never seemed to satisfy me.
I’ve volunteered continuously every month, trying out different ways to be able to help people. Volunteering at Kids These Days has shown me how much I love to volunteer and I genuinely have become aware of wanted to do with my life. I’ve helped in countless nursing homes, children events, and even our local library. I’ve helped with Nelson Mandela Day located here in Frederick County. I’ve even worked with different humanity groups such as UNESCO. It registered in my mind that there is more to life than cell phones, and whose shoes look better. My plan is to go to China through Kids these Days and do humanitarian work there next
When deciding a career path I’d like to follow, I contributed many of things I do in my life as well as what has affected me. What I enjoy most is helping those around me especially those in need. What impacted me most is the stories my parents would share with me. They immigrated to the United States in 1997 in efforts to provide a better life for their children. Both my parents experienced not having anything to eat for days and having no access to education. They did not want that for their current children. After two years of moving to the United States I unexpectedly entered their life. I’ve never had to experience what it's like not to have a meal or place stay. Growing up I never took anything for granted because things life and come
Becoming a social worker is the highest goal I am ecstatic to achieve in life. The social work profession speaks to me unlike any other profession, because I have the opportunity be a guiding light in someone’s life. Through social work, I will be able to help all types of people make decisions while at the same time advocate for their individual rights. By attending the University of Kansas, I believe I will be able to emerge myself in the best academic environment to work toward achieving my goal.
There is no better feeling in the world than that which comes from helping others. During the course of my elementary school life, I was a member of the Cub Scouts. My friends and I learned to work together in order to accomplish tasks no one of us could do alone. We also learned that those with the ability to provide assistance also have the responsibility to do so. I eventually grew out of Cub Scouts, but I found other ways to volunteer my time. I volunteered at many different United Way events over the next few years, as well as seasonal events such as Treat Street and the Christmas Stroll. During my junior year, I was induced into the National Honors Society. I enjoyed volunteering with this organization because it not only reminded me of my youth, but also because I was once again able to work with my peers to make a difference in our community. I loved it so much that I decided to run for President the next year. As soon as I was old enough, I took the job of working at the Chamber of Commerce. I love my job so much because it allows me to interact with those coming into my community. The very first time that someone drives into Butte Montana, they stop into the visitor center to see me. I get to show people how wonderful my town is, and make its history come alive. I do my best to assist any person that needs me, be it friend of stranger. Your legacy lives on in the lives that you touch in your
Life gives each person different experiences that affect individual opportunities and future choices. My experiences have included sitting on both sides of the desk either seeking or providing assistance. I have chosen to use my experiences to help people to overcome their obstacles.