As a thirty- four year old woman who once endured an unstable home life, teen pregnancy, and a period of homelessness, I realize the necessity and value of an education. My life experiences have impelled me to further my education and pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work. I have prevailed through numerous tribulations and my goal is to become a social worker so I can, in return, ensure that others will overcome life’s hardships.
During my childhood, I lived in a single parent family household with my mother. Our relationship suffered due to numerous arguments and a lack of understanding one another. Needless to say, when I confided in my mother that I was pregnant, our relationship completely dissipated. There was too much family conflict and the environment became increasingly unhealthy. Eventually, I became homeless. Everyday became a constant struggle. Not only was I homeless, but I was about to have a baby, had no money and no support. I felt alone as though nobody cared about my situation. However, I eventually found a shelter on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. Thankfully, at the shelter, I met a social worker who helped ease my concerns. She provided constant support and gave me a sense of hope. She encouraged me to resolve my conflict with my mother and return home. When I moved back home, I made a sincere effort to heal my relationship with my mother.
Six months later, I found a job as a counselor, working with adolescents who had experienced similar situations to mine. I began my preparation to achieve my personal goal while I worked at Harbor View Adolescent Center, a level-14 group home facility, as a youth counselor. My primary work responsibility was serving as a positive role model for adolescents from twelve to eighteen years of age. The adolescents had backgrounds similar to my own background. Others had problems with drug and alcohol abuse, depression, and the criminal justice system. At times, the position was extremely stressful but I discovered that I had the ability to connect with the children and develop strong emotional ties with them. I focused upon several areas of treatment, including their social skills, coping skills, and independent living skills. My main ambition was to help them build their self-esteem and improve their sense of security. As a youth counselor, I gained valuable experience in listening to adolescents and helping them make positive decisions to improve the quality of their lives.
From my personal experiences, I learned that I had the ability to persevere through my most challenging times. I developed empathy for people struggling with everyday problems and, most importantly, I learned the importance of having support from my family. I am committed to helping others achieve personal growth and take an interest in their own well- being. As a result of my homelessness, I understand the constant despair and frustration experienced by those who find it challenging to cope with life’s everyday problems. I am also convinced that increasing one’s own sense of empowerment can make the difference between a future of despondency or one filled with hope.
I am applying to the Master’s in Social Work program because it is my goal to help others embrace their inner potential and make a positive life transition. Most importantly, I want to become a professional social worker because I want to do everything that is within my power to enhance the quality of a person’s life. I want to address the needs of all people in my community; especially it’s most vulnerable or “at-risk” members. I am deeply committed to the service of others, and most specifically to the service of troubled and neglected youth. I am confident that I will succeed as a social worker and transform the lives of many.
I am deeply committed to the service of others, especially to those that are vulnerable and to the service of troubled and neglected youth. For me, it is important to serve others instead of being served and to place others’ interest ahead of my own. Service is something that I admire about people in helping others. I also want to do the same for other people. I am going to devote my life to social justice and improving the lives of the vulnerable and oppressed. For one, all individuals and especially those individuals that are the most vulnerable and at-risk members in our community deserve to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect. I know that for myself, this is the motto that I live by: treat others how I would like to be treated. Therefore every person deserves the right to be treated with respect. I can readily understand that others would hope to be treated the same way in their daily lives. It is logical that others would recognize that we want the same things for ourselves. We should always put people first in terms of not violating their human rights. We need to look at ourselves first and look at what we are doing is in the best interest of others, upholding their