Social Work Personal Statement

I am applying for the Masters of Social Work Program because of my dream of becoming a licensed clinical social worker. This journey began at a very young age, as my passion for people flourished. For me, childhood consisted of long summers, volunteering at nursing homes and working with friends to do constructive projects around the community. During my teenage years, I was well-known for my loving spirit and compassion for people. I was a problem solver and as well the go to person for family and friends. This passion continued throughout my teenage years, as I volunteered at the Department of Veterans Affairs, assisting disable vets. By the time I reached adulthood, my love for people and the quest to help had become my profession. While

attending Santa Fe College, I obtained my Certified Nursing Assistance Licenses, which allowed me to assist people on a more skilled level. During this time my interest in social work intensified, as I witness clients struggling with various life challenges.
My previous work experience includes ten years in the healthcare field.

This experience allowed me to work in a helping capacity serving people from various ethnic backgrounds, religions, cultures, age groups, gender, social class, and sexual orientation. Through this experience I gained a profound level of respect for multiculturalism, and learned firsthand the importance of cultural competence. Over the years, my work experience included working in nursing homes, home healthcare, hospitals, and mental health and substance abuse facilities. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, my job duties involved providing medical assistance and support to clients who were incapable of helping themselves. This experience allowed me to recognize my personal strengths and as well limitations. My strengths include: focused driven, excellent communicator, leader, compassionate, honest, and respectful. However, I found my weakness to be accepting the things that I cannot control, for example,

death.
Surly, from my past work experience I have gained confidence when dealing with vulnerable adults. I’ve supported and as well bonded with many people, developing a clear understanding of their circumstances and having compassion for it. I learned that empathy, patients and acceptance are vital components in regards to working with people with limited capabilities. Portraying these personal traits helped me to understand people with different backgrounds, characteristics, personal identities and etc. I learned that forming trusting relationships with people was imperative to their future success.
While my work history is extensive, I recall my internship experience at Meridian Bridge House being the most impactful. The reason being is that I was able to work as a social worker, which involved accessing clients’ personal history. These clients differed from me in innumerable ways. I recall an incident where I encountered a client whose religion differed from mine. Although, I wanted to touch more on the topic, I knew that it was not ethical to impose my morals, values or beliefs on a client. This client was outraged and devastated about their past history. They had abandoned their faith and belief in a higher power. Although disheartened, my primary focus was to help this client realize their potential and helps them to reach their goal.
Through this exact experience, I discovered that active listening helps one to receive the message, understand it and evaluate the information being communicated. In fact, at Bridge House I assessed that trauma correlates strongly with one’s inability to stabilize. People suffering from alcohol and substance abuse, addiction were more than likely to have experienced some form of trauma in their lifetime. Their stories alone increased my desire to want to help and bring about change within this population. No matter our differences, I believed that setting aside my personal beliefs and biases were imperative for improving lives.
Overall, the skills that I have acquired are transferable to the field of social work. In fact, I developed a strong understanding of the need for empowering people to make positive choices, regardless of adversity. No matter the situations, I remained open minded and patient when assisting clients. These developing traits have assisted me not only in my profession, but in my personal life as well. I now understand this population of people. In fact, the only underlying difference I discovered was that people have different life stories, and different outcomes. From this experience I was challenged to look at things from an addict’s point of view. Imagine being raised in an environment where the only common things were drugs or alcohol. No one to educate you on the negative aspects of these substances. I had to look at the big picture; some people are not given the opportunity to choose their environment. Looking from the outside in, one would assume that accomplishing sobriety is simple, especially when one’s life is on the line. Sadly to say, very few people understand this disease.
I have seen firsthand the need for positive interaction within society.

The skills that I have acquired and challenges that I have overcome will assist me in becoming a phenomenal licensed clinical social worker. I plan on specializing in substance abuse and mental illness because addiction and mental illness impacts every sector of society. Families are destroyed, and lives are ruined. I strongly believe that I can bring about change is this over populated field. I possess all the qualifications needed to become a predominant social figure. As a loving mother, certified nursing assistance, mental health tech, and future student, I am eager to become a licensed clinical social worker. I have obtained my Bachelor’s degree and I am proud to announce that I am a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society. I am flexible, driven, loyal, creative, caring, and honest. I am confident that Social Work is for me. I have researched the profession and as well been provided with invaluable advice from academic professors and close friends with professional experiences in the social service

field.
In closing, I would like to say that one of the best feelings in the world is having the desire to help those in need. My mother once told me that my deep admiration for people extended the family, due to my need to bring everyone home with me. If accepted into Florida State, Masters of Social Work program I would offer guidance, teamwork, hope and support. My personal and professional experience will guide me while being a dedicated and committed student. I am more than prepared for this journey in the field of social work. As quoted by Mother Teresa, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can create many ripples”.