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Personal Statement

My journey into social work began in 2008 when I decided to go back to school and
enrolled in Macomb Community College (MCC) to figure out where I wanted to go. I knew I
wanted to be involved in a field that would help troubled youth. I struggled as a teenager and
made some poor choices that set me back in my progress of life. I had become determined to
work with adolescents and help them pave a path early on so they can succeed. I especially
wanted to work with children that come from poor or unsupported environments. I want to help
them see that where they came from does not need to be whom, or where they end up at. As I
grew older I became more aware of my actions and how they have affected me in the past and
had continued to affect me, I no longer wanted to be a product of my environment. School
became my number one priority. I continued to work towards finishing my general education
classes at MCC. MCC had a macro program that would get me into the classes I needed to get
into Wayne State University School of Social Work. MCC also fed into other universities but I
had done some research on the social work program at Wayne State and new it was one of the
better schools to attend and widely recognized. While at MCC my mission was to help cut the
pipeline from high school to jail.
I was accepted to the Wayne State University School of Social Work WOW program to
start in the winter of 2013. During that time I also obtained a job with The Resolution Center
working with high school students (supervised) in mediation and mentorship. Having this job
and being enrolled in the SSW, for me this was the ideal position. I recognized that at that time I
was capable of more than I thought I was. I was able to successfully perform my duties in class
as well as at work. I learned how to balance a life, work and continuing my education. I find
this imperative considering the social work profession is continuing education. It is important to
be learning and accept that education will continue as a life-long professional process. One of
my weaknesses came with viewing myself as a professional and as my own superior. During my
field study I felt like a subordinate the entire time and did not feel like I took charge even
thought I know I am capable of doing so, and have done so. I think with exposure and
experience this feeling will subside. At this time I think that I am more proficient at the micro
level and working with groups. I did well with groups in my job, school and my field placement.
This is also beneficial for me considering I want to work with groups of students, preferably
juveniles. I think it will be important for me to be proficient in research as well. Evidence based
practice is important for where I want to be and the population I would like to work with so
research is important to me.
The process of change for youth is possible and I do envision the amount of youth
committing petty crimes can be assessed and decreased. My approach in this profession will be
to increase stability and commitment in youth, increase graduation rates and decrease suspension
rates and help juveniles create their own environment and strive for change. Research has
shown that once a teenage is exposed to the judicial system, either by family or by their own
doing, they are prone to return by committing crimes. I want to be a force that changes that
statistic and I hope to do that as a social work professional.
Being in the WOW program has helped me stay in the know about technology. With
technology being so important to the profession and to the population we work with we need to
be aware of the means of communication people use. This program has helped many of us learn
new ways to communicate with each other and complete our assignments without being able to
see each other. We were all able to complete this process remotely. Also while in the WOW
program I decided to join the NASW and become the U-Link advocate our first year into the
program, this allowed me to access information from the NASW and bring it back to my fellow
students. It also allowed me to develop a better understanding of the NASW and the process of
Advocacy and the importance of Ethics. I also joined the Student Leadership Organization the
first year because I was an NASW member and shared information with other students outside of
the WOW program as well. I know that this program has improved my own personal judgment
skills but it has matured me in a professional manner that I was not expecting but this program
has improved my life so that I can help improve others.

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