Loyola University Personal Statement -
Social work inhabits the rare sphere in which social science, occasionally given the misnomer of pseudo-science, functions in accord with theories of hard science. Be it non-profit settings assisting with community run programs aimed toward bettering the lives of those in local neighborhoods, or clinical offices servicing mental health needs alongside physicians, social work encompasses an array of positions while remaining steadfast in advocating for greater positive social change. Though social work can be seen as a luxury in certain situations, it carries a deeper value that enables practitioners to support underprivileged individuals and communities in times of grief, crisis, or other issues that …show more content…
While working with children has its own rewards, what made this experience exponentially more significant was my involvement with the growth and cultivation of the food to be distributed to low-income families throughout the community along with the parents and siblings of the children I taught in the after school program. My participation in the grass-roots style development of this community is likely the proverbial spark that ignited my interest in social work. Being able to see firsthand how serving a community and championing social justice-- two of the core values of social work-- was able to improve this one neighborhood in such a short amount of time, was inspiring. Educating children on the importance of a nutritious diet, and how to utilize the food from the gardens they had grown themselves, was a beautiful yet subtle metaphor for the intrinsic power I have come to admire in social work. The ethical scaffolding built upon empathy, valuation of leadership, and resourcefulness—skills integral to the success of the Allen Neighborhood Center program—has given me the ability to succeed, adapt, and more thoughtfully engage …show more content…
While observing this session I was drawn in by the ease with which the social worker engaged the patients in discussion. I was taken aback by what the kids had to say, but even more so by their ability to express their feelings to one another. It was clear to me that the support they provided to one another had developed as a direct result of the social worker’s ability to promote a warm and inviting environment, which, in turn, provided the perfect nest for the evolution of the emotionally healthful discussion. Upon reflection of this session, I was led to the clinical Social Work program at Loyola University Chicago. The sum of my aforementioned experiences is a highly developed skill-set focused on leadership, inclusion, and the ability to engage a myriad of social
Social work inhabits the rare sphere in which social science, occasionally given the misnomer of pseudo-science, functions in accord with theories of hard science. Be it non-profit settings assisting with community run programs aimed toward bettering the lives of those in local neighborhoods, or clinical offices servicing mental health needs alongside physicians, social work encompasses an array of positions while remaining steadfast in advocating for greater positive social change. Though social work can be seen as a luxury in certain situations, it carries a deeper value that enables practitioners to support underprivileged individuals and communities in times of grief, crisis, or other issues that …show more content…
While working with children has its own rewards, what made this experience exponentially more significant was my involvement with the growth and cultivation of the food to be distributed to low-income families throughout the community along with the parents and siblings of the children I taught in the after school program. My participation in the grass-roots style development of this community is likely the proverbial spark that ignited my interest in social work. Being able to see firsthand how serving a community and championing social justice-- two of the core values of social work-- was able to improve this one neighborhood in such a short amount of time, was inspiring. Educating children on the importance of a nutritious diet, and how to utilize the food from the gardens they had grown themselves, was a beautiful yet subtle metaphor for the intrinsic power I have come to admire in social work. The ethical scaffolding built upon empathy, valuation of leadership, and resourcefulness—skills integral to the success of the Allen Neighborhood Center program—has given me the ability to succeed, adapt, and more thoughtfully engage …show more content…
While observing this session I was drawn in by the ease with which the social worker engaged the patients in discussion. I was taken aback by what the kids had to say, but even more so by their ability to express their feelings to one another. It was clear to me that the support they provided to one another had developed as a direct result of the social worker’s ability to promote a warm and inviting environment, which, in turn, provided the perfect nest for the evolution of the emotionally healthful discussion. Upon reflection of this session, I was led to the clinical Social Work program at Loyola University Chicago. The sum of my aforementioned experiences is a highly developed skill-set focused on leadership, inclusion, and the ability to engage a myriad of social