Of Purpose - Personal Statement Example

Personal ment Q I have always been driven by the desire to help people and have had a personal passion for the profession of social work. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply to this esteemed institute of higher education and would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to review my application. Since I was a young child, I have been fascinated by the study of the human condition and a keen desire to help people has drawn me to the study of social work. Although I have considered many different careers in my lifetime, helping people is what inspires me and a career in this field would be eternally rewarding. A combination of volunteer work and a strong desire to make a difference have adequately prepared me for my chose path. As a young adolescent with a strong sense of purpose, I volunteered at multiple homeless shelters in my community and have devoted numerous hours to helping others. The homeless shelters in which I have volunteered are _________insert name here _______ . One of my first volunteer experiences was at a local public school in my community, P.S. 14 in Corona, Queen’s where my mother is an instructor. In an organizational capacity I have also volunteered my time as a disc jockey for charity events hosted by the following foundations, _________insert name here _______ . All in all, I sincerely believe that my future is in helping people and my volunteer experiences, in a variety of capacities, have adequately prepared me for a career in the field of social work. Q 2. Graduate school has always interested me and although I have not always envisioned myself as a grad student, my undergraduate degree has given me the necessary skills to further my academic career and am I eager to put these skills to the test. My undergraduate experience has been wonderful and has thoroughly prepared me for more extensive work as a graduate student. I have overcome significant challenges to get where I am today and I am thankful for the opportunity to pursue the career that I have always wanted. The study of addiction and mental health has been of particular interest to me and courses in Addiction Counseling and Public Health have greatly inspired me to work towards future study and research. My short-term goals are to continue on to graduate school, attain my Masters of Social Work and work to help people in need. Graduate school will provide me with the foundations for a wide ranging career in social work. Although I have a burning desire to help people, I understand that I presently do not have the academic foundation to become a professional social worker. I believe that graduate school will provide me with the requisite tools I need to have a future as a practicing social worker and make a difference in people’s lives. Graduate school will help me get one step closer to my desired goal of one day becoming a practicing social worker. Q 3. I am a hardworking, individual who is committed to succeeding in life and making a difference. I have the utmost respect for the social work profession and a variety of personal attributes make me ideally suited for a career in this field. I am a caring person who has overcome many challenges in life and understands that while challenges do exist in our lives these challenges can be overcome with the right mix of hard work, dedication and support. I am passionate about helping people and making a difference in their lives. I have extensive volunteer experience and a passion for helping others. A good listener and a thoughtful person who cares about the wellbeing of others, I believe that these personal attributes make me ideally suited for a career helping people and that has been a major attraction to the social work field. At a personal level, I can certainly improve upon my knowledge and understanding of the core tenants of social work. To date, my knowledge of the fundamentals of social work is nascent but hopefully growing. Helping people inspires me and to make a career out of helping people would truly be rewarding. I thoroughly believe that the Silver School of Social Work at New York University can provide me with the necessary skills to make a difference in people’s lives. Q 4. Unfortunately society today is afflicted more social problems than ever before and it seems as though while things should be getting better, they seem to be getting progressively worse. The global economic crisis is sure to have dislocating ramifications throughout the country as businesses close, people are laid off and whole communities feel the burden of foreclosure and indebtedness. Although I am confident that American will ‘weather the storm’ and get back on her feet despite the economic challenges were are facing today, I could not think of a better time to start a career in the field of social work. People are in need; they need money, they need support, they need a shoulder to cry on and most importantly they need love. I’m willing to devote myself to my passion and my chosen career because I really do believe that I can make a difference. Now, more than ever, we need people who care to be at the forefront of change. I feel that our new President Barack Obama personifies this desire for change, to lend a hand and help your neighbor and I have in all fairness been inspired by him. On another, perhaps more personal note, I have been drawn to the field of social work by a strong desire to help people with addictions and individuals who use and abuse drugs. I have known many friends and acquaintances here in New York who have succumbed to the challenges of addiction and I want to make a difference in the lives of people who continue to struggle. Q 5. My educational path has been challenging and at the same time immensely rewarding. Although I never dreamt that I would ever attain my college diploma - let alone a graduate degree - I was inspired by an internal desire to succeed as well as by a need to help those who struggle with behavioral, health and/or addiction problems. Over the course of my studies, I have learnt a great deal and have acquired new skills and abilities. Although I never envisioned an academic career, I am honored to have had the many opportunities afforded me and look forward to more challenges at the Silver School of Social Work. The skills that I acquired early on in my academic career served me well throughout the duration of my undergraduate studies. I have overcome significant challenges to get where I am today and I am thankful for the opportunity to pursue the career that I have also wanted. My short-term goals are to begin graduate school, attain my Masters of Social Work and work to help people in need. I am confident that the Silver School of Social Work at New York University will give me the necessary skills to truly make a difference and exceed expectations in the social work profession. Q 6. I love new challenges and as a highly motivated individual with a strong desire to attend the Silver School of Social Work at New York University. I have faced a variety of challenges in my life and I believe that although I have had some hurdles to overcome, I am now a stronger person thanks to my persistence, perseverance and deep desire to succeed. In fact, I feel that my personal strength is one of my strongest attributes and a key factor in making an excellent social worker. An important challenge which I was recently forced to tackle was the expected divorce, after more than two decades, of my parents. More than two years ago my parents separated and then divorced and I was devastated. At the time I thought that my support network was crumbling before my eyes and I was devastated. When the divorce of my parents was finalized, I was distracted from my studies and distraught. My grades suffered and after undergoing extensively counseling I was able to get back on track and move forward with my studies. I know live permanently with my mother and the challenges my mother and I have faced together have made me a focused, responsible and hardworking person. Despite some recently challenges I have overcome these personal demons and am moving forward in my life. Read More