Relationships and/or experiences influenced your decision to enter the field of Social Work

Full Answer Section

      Career Objectives and Philosophy of Social Work Practice My career objective is to become a clinical social worker who works with children and adolescents from underserved communities. I am interested in working with this population because I believe that all children deserve the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. I am also interested in working with this population because I believe that early intervention is essential for preventing future problems. My philosophy of social work practice is based on the belief that all people have the right to live with dignity and respect. I believe that social workers have a responsibility to advocate for social justice and to help people to overcome the barriers that they face. I also believe that social workers should be culturally competent and should respect the diversity of their clients. Major Social Problem and Interest in Addressing the Problem I am interested in addressing the social problem of poverty. Poverty is a major social problem that has a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. Poverty can lead to a number of negative outcomes, including homelessness, hunger, poor health, and crime. I believe that poverty is a complex problem with no easy solutions. However, I believe that social workers can play an important role in addressing the problem by working with individuals and families to meet their basic needs, advocating for social justice, and working to change the systems that perpetuate poverty. Anticipated Role as a Change Agent on the Individual, Group, and Community/Organizational Levels of Change On the individual level, I would work with children and adolescents from underserved communities to help them develop the skills and resources they need to succeed. I would also work with them to overcome the challenges that they face, such as poverty, trauma, and discrimination. On the group level, I would work with groups of children and adolescents from underserved communities to help them build supportive relationships and to learn from each other. I would also work with them to advocate for their rights and to improve the conditions in their communities. On the community/organizational level, I would work with community organizations and government agencies to develop and implement programs and policies that address the root causes of poverty. I would also work to raise awareness of the problem of poverty and to advocate for social justice. Ethical Dilemma and How I Dealt with It One ethical dilemma that I have experienced is the following: I was working as a social worker in a school setting. One of my students was a young girl who was being abused by her stepfather. I was required by law to report the abuse to the child protective services agency. However, the student was very scared of her stepfather and begged me not to report the abuse. I was faced with a difficult dilemma. I knew that I had a legal obligation to report the abuse, but I also wanted to respect the student's wishes. I decided to talk to the student about the importance of reporting the abuse and the steps that the child protective services agency would take. I also assured her that I would be there to support her throughout the process. Ultimately, the student decided that she wanted to report the abuse. I helped her to make the report and I provided her with support throughout the process. I dealt with this ethical dilemma by carefully considering all of my options and by consulting with other professionals. I also made sure to keep the student's best interests at the forefront of my mind. Conclusion I am passionate about social work and I am excited to begin my career as a clinical social worker. I believe that social workers play an important role in helping people to overcome the challenges they face and in creating a more just and equitable society.  

Sample Answer

    I decided to enter the field of social work because of my own personal experiences with poverty and injustice. I grew up in a low-income family, and I saw firsthand the challenges that people face when they don't have access to the resources and support they need. I also experienced discrimination and prejudice because of my race and ethnicity. These experiences made me passionate about helping others and making a difference in the world.