Social Work Personal Statement

My reasons for applying to the Bachelor of Social Work program are numerous and varied. I hope that through this degree I will be able to obtain a job that will help me to positively influence peoples lives on a daily basis. I recognize that this is a huge responsibility, but I feel that I have many qualities and experiences that have prepared me for this. Growing up, my father was mentally and emotionally abusive and would often become physically abusive towards my sister, mother, and I. My parents divorced and I eventually decided to live with my mother full-time. I’ve been seeing counselors since then, working through the trauma related to my experiences. I have gained the knowledge of what this experience is like and the emotions involved, a better understanding of

I’ve experienced these inspiring women working so hard to help their clients become better people. I hope that someday I can be a similar positive and inspiring influence for someone. My experiences through volunteer work have also had a large impact on my life and my desire to become a social worker. Through Girl Guides, I’ve learned how to be a better leader, work well on teams, and how to work effectively with differently abled people. Being an in-school mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters also had a huge influence on me because it helped me realize that working with at-risk youth was something I truly enjoy and want to spend my life doing. Working in my parish office for the past few summers, I have spent much of my time with seniors. One of these seniors was a man who obtained a diploma of Public Welfare from Memorial in the 1960’s. He would tell me stories about travelling through different communities, the people he met, and how the profession evolved during his decades of service. He was incredibly inspiring and helped cement my dream of becoming a social