It is exciting when positive change occurs for people, but know change takes time, and comes in small pieces and small victories.” Wrapping this interview up I am beyond excited to start my career in social work. School Social Work has always grabbed my attention due to being able to work with children and adolescents and after speaking to Jennifer my excited grew even more. I have always wanted to work with children and adolescents, and Jennifer was able to help me gain more information and insight on this career…
A Child Called It is a 184 page book by David Pelzer. A Child Called It told about David's life as an abused and neglected child, and his the pain and suffering he experienced. At the beginning of David's childhood his Family was great. His mother was a very caring mother.…
After speaking with him about the impacts of his job, it occurred to me that child welfare may be one of the most stressful jobs that any social worker could have the pleasure of doing. Even with it being incredibly stressful, clinical caseworkers are making a profound difference in the lives of abused…
My view of the novel “The child called it” It is one of the most harsh child abuse cases in California history. It is the autobiography of David Pelzer who was physically and emotionally abused by his mentally disturbed mother, who played sick games that left him nearly dead. The psychological scars left on his mind and memory and will be accompanied him for the rest of his life. The events take place generally at Dave’s house in ordinary two-floor home in Daly City, California where David lives with his family during the mid-60s and 70s. .…
This weeks reading, Walking This Path Together by Kundouqk and Qwel’shi’yah’maht, was very insightful to the Anti-Oppressive practises across Canada. I appreciated the in depth detail into indigenous studies, and could easily see the transition to all cultures. I was taken by the phrase, “best interest of the child”, as I have heard this phrase many times over my lifetime. (p. 40) The need to protect children has been thrust to the forefront of the country as if a necessity, but rarely is the child’s family or community been considered.…
My mother is also a social worker and that gave me an inside perspective. Growing up, I was able to see into the world of a social worker not just at work, but how it affects the rest of their lives. That is what showed me that being a Social Worker is not just the usual you clock in clock out job, but that there is more incorporated in the duties of someone who holds this position. What drew me in was listening to my mom talking about one of her children’s accomplishments. I could see the pride in her eye as if it was me that did something good.…
One day while researching careers I came across social work and from that point on I knew social work was the career I was destined to be in. “Foster care and adoption have long served as society’s way of providing alternative care to children who—on either a temporary or a permanent basic and for a variety of reasons” (Foster Care and…
The movie Precious describes the life of a 16-year-old girl who is illiterate, lives in an abusive home, was raped by her father, and thus has one disabled child and is pregnant with her second. Although Precious was in a horrible situation, with the help of her social worker and her alternative school teacher, Precious escaped from her house and started a new life of her own. As a social work student, I can learn from Precious’s situation by comparing how the social worker in the movie helped Precious versus how I would have, had I been her social worker. By identifying the primary systems that affect Precious, some of her greatest strengths that helped her in overcoming her situation, and four interventions I would have implemented, I can…
What experiences motivate you to (a) become a social worker (703 words) Early in my adolescence, I discovered the value of community-based, experiential learning practices, while working with various social service organizations that support diverse populations. These experiences sparked my interested in working with individuals in a helping capacity, which led me to pursue a degree in Sociology and Child, Youth, & Family Studies. My education and continued activism in the social services have inspired me to pursue a career in social work. I am particularly interested in empowering others, challenging oppression and injustice through community activism, and advocating for marginalized and vulnerable populations who lack the platforms needed…
My desire to pursue a master’s degree in social work was fueled by the outcome of my experiences of learning about domestic violence in my undergraduate course. It was also influenced by my active role different organizations where I was able to provide care for child victims of domestic violence. The desire of furthering my studies started way back when I was volunteering at a non-profit organization with an objective of becoming more familiar in working with children that were coming from a less advantaged families. Initially, the organization I was working for did not give me information about the children I was taking care of; they did not tell me that the children were victims of domestic violence. Upon entry, I observed all the children…
I’ve also had the privilege of shadowing a social worker where my mom works. Even writing about this makes me want to cry, because I am so determined and excited to fulfill this dream one day. I am praying that I will be able to stay, and take the courses towards my social work…
One of my strongest values is my desire to serve. I believe my life’s purpose is to be some sort of service to mankind. On a professional level, social workers’ primary goal is to help serve individuals and my personal purpose is congruent with a social worker’s primary goal. Service is the main reason why I am pursuing a career in the social work profession. For two consecutive summers, I was given the opportunity to work with and mentor children ages four to eleven, whether it was tutoring them in basic math or giving them social advice.…
Never fully devoted to becoming a teacher, I shortly ended my college career, giving myself time to discover who it was I wanted to become. It was not until I turned 21, that I realized I was destined to become a social worker. Finally reaching a decision, I credit my selection of becoming a social worker on past experiences.…
The field of Social Work has professional values that all social workers should adhere to during their practice of social work. Often times the professional values of social work are synonymous to the social worker’s personal value structure. An individual’s personal values can conflict with the values of the profession; therefore it is imperative to be aware of those differences in order to conduct ethical social work practice. One’s own values can either constructively or destructively impact their professional conduct. An efficient social worker is one that is aware of their own values yet they are open-minded to people that may possess diverse point of views.…
a. In looking back over the courses you’ve taken thus far, what are the key themes and lessons that you feel will be the most prominent in your mind as you enter the field of social work? This could be a concrete tool or practice, or perhaps a theme or way of thought. As I reflect back on the courses that I have taken thus far, I have learned many great themes and lessons that will be prominent in my mind as enter the field of social work. The most valuable lesson I have learned is who and what should guide my work with individuals from such vulnerable populations.…