Social Work Narrative

Personal Narrative Statement 1)How do you account for your relate in cordial reach? In your response, discuss p avail or put up experiences that support your superior of affable work as a concern? My engross in affectionate work substantial during college. I al delegacys had a interest in serving separates in one way or another. I joined a sorority in college, Delta Sigma Theta, which is based off of community service. During the week I would volunteer to tutor children that were struggling in certain beas of school.I would talk to these children and explain to them the importance of education and establish to influence them as much as executable to try their hardest in everything that they do. I would also go to nursing homes, with other member of our organization, and p set up bingo with their residents. We thought it was important to spend cartridge holder with the remote and/or sick as thoroughly. Just knowing how much it meant to those residents for us to co me and spend snip with them was a phenomenal looking. After college I worked for the Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility (Girl School) as a Youth Service Officer (YSO).I gained a serve of hands on experience at the Girl School and I was able to work in more depth with the youth. I worked with at least 35-40 troubled teen eldrs tout ensemble(prenominal) day. I was their guidance counselor, teacher, disciplinary, and virtu anyytimes I felt equal their parent. I enjoyed being able to talk with each individual and I learned how to communicate with each of them effectively. by dint of each these individual experiences I developed a strong desire to become a accessible worker so that I can help improve lots lives by helping them cope and solve issues in their everyday lives. ) affectionate work is committed to social expertice. What is social justness? What experiences piddle shaped your interest in advancing social justice? In the future, how will you help conjure social justice? Social justice is concerned with equality or equal justice, not just in the courts, notwithstanding in all aspects of society. This concept demands that people beat equal rights and opportunities and this includes everyone, from the poorest to the wealthiest. Social justice refers to a concept of a society that gives individuals and groups fair treatment and fair distribution of advantages, ssets, and benefits among all members of a society. On a positive note, one experience in particular that resume aim shaped my interest in advancing social justice is the inauguration of the first African American chair, President Barack Obama. This has had such(prenominal) a positive influence on the minority communities because it has allowed us to see how much things withstand changed. It has wedded individuals hope that may progress to never thought that there would be a Black President or a president outside of the pagan background of Caucasian.In the future, I hop e to be a part of a movement that advances social justice even more. I would identical to be a part of something that helps our children in need, employs our workers in need, helps our disabled and heels are criminal justice establishment. I soon work for a job where I experience inequalities because of my job title or skin color. in that respect are times where I feel that I am not valued as some of my other co-workers due(p) to the exit of our job anatomyification.There are situations that have occurred that I feel bid I was misunderstood because of my skin color and some of the negative stereotypes that comes along with it. As a social worker, I would like to establish job potency, meaning that I would like to implement a system within all jobs that allows all employees no matter of your race, class or gender that allows you maintain the confidence needed to perform your job duties without the ridicule or stereotypes from those of higher positions. 3)What is your percepti on or understanding of social work as a profession?Elaborate on how you understand social workers intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and policy- do entities? Professional social workers are found in every facet of community life including schools, hospitals, affable health facilities, prisons, military and all other public and private agencies that serve individuals and families in need. Social workers advert individuals, groups or communities restore or enhance social functioning done creating living conditions favorable to their oddment or need.Social workers are trained professionals that help people overcome some of lifes most difficult challenges such as poverty, discrimination, abuse, addiction, physical illness, educational issues, mental illness, disability, unemployment, etc. They accomplish this through counseling individuals, families and communities teaching them how to cope with the stresses of everyday life. From a political standpoint, social workers spend time and currency on campaigns that elect public officials that are committed to social work values.Sound public policies modify social workers to meet valet de chambre needs, be fairly compensated and promote social justice. Overall I perceive social work as a take action profession. Often times, we as human beings complain and talk about what needs to be done but do not do anything beyond that. Social workers are hands on. They are not just talking about what should be done but they are doing something to better our communities. Social workers are about make a difference in society by helping others out that are in need for various reasons.If you are very sick and in need of pay heedance to perform normal, everyday functions, social workers can economic aid you in finding a home, affordable to you and your family so that you can have that need met. Social workers assist children that may have been a victim of abuse or witness of domestic vio lence by removing them from that destructive atmosphere into a much safer environment while providing counseling to aid in the mend process. They provide food, shelter and clothing for those that are down in their luck because of unemployment, disabilities or all other poverty related issues.There are a wide variety of activities that can be considered social work and professional social workers are employed in many different environments but they all possess one common goal and that is helping people. 4)The concept of cultural pluralism emphasizes respect for form of values, heritages, customs, and lifestyles. We are interested in your experiences with people from diverse populations. For each of the following diverse groups, describe how you have worked with each.If you have gaps in your exposure to diversity, what is your plan to broaden your effectiveness to work respect fullyy and effectively with each of these populations? a)Ethnicity (race, culture) I have worked with many different ethnicities and cultures in several way. I have worked with different ethnic groups at work, school and everyday life. As a minority, I was raised to treat everyone how I would like to be treated so outside of their physical appearance I look at everyone as my equal.I have different ethnic backgrounds in family which does not seem to be uncommon at all in these days and times. I believe that different backgrounds and cultures is what lease our world so lovely and diverse. b)Spiritual tradition different from your own Although I dont understand all of the different sacred traditions and backgrounds, I definitely have worked with different ones at one time or another. I have dated an individual with a different phantasmal background than myself and I learned that although we may have worshiped in different ways we worshiped for the same purpose.I know that this may not be unbent of all spiritual backgrounds but I feel that it is important to respect each person spiritu al preference even if I dont agree with their values. I soon work for a hospital and in our registration process we ask each patient if they have a certain spiritual preference that they would like us to note on their chart. We ask this question not to be judgmental but to provide that option if the patient indirect requests to seek clergy while hospitalized. c)Age I have worked with a variety of ages throughout the year.Currently I work with a wide variety of age groups. I work in a laboratory and there are both older and younger age groups. Our younger employees respect the older employees because we have learned a lot from their experiences. I, personally, have never been discriminated against because of my age, as far as I know, and it does not seem to be a major issue from my experiences. I have also worked over a lot of juveniles in a correctional facility setting. I found this job to be quite challenging at times because these individuals required a lot of attention and re directing.However, the experience within itself was priceless. d)Disability Working in a hospital setting has allowed me to encounter a lot of patients with several different disabilities. Watching these patients struggle with things that the average human being might take for granted is a mind-blowing experience within itself. Seeing and hearing these individuals talk about their disabilities has do me become more appreciative of the little things in life like walking, driving, talking, working, being able to plume and bath myself, etc.Although working with people with disabilities can be disheartening, it is also very rewarding because it makes you feel really good to be able to assist another person in need. e)Socio-Economic I have worked with people with different socio-economic backgrounds or statuses because I have experienced different socio-economic statuses. Both of my parents came from family households containing at least 6 or more children and as a result neither one of my parents had much, economically, as a child. My parents got married and started a family at a young age so as a esult I was raised on a lower socio-economic status then some of my peers. Living in a time where new technologies are developed constantly and wealth and greed are at an all time high, I am constantly striving to achieve more. However, I know to achieve more wealth or higher socio-economic status one must lay a strong educational background foundation which is why I would like to further my education by achieving a know Degree. f)Sexual orientation Sexual orientation is usually divided into 3 groups Hetero intimate, Homosexual, and Bisexual.We live in a time where all three groups are becoming more predominant, especially homosexual and bisexual groups. Regardless of my sexual preference I feel that it is important to respect individuals decision and not to try them by it. As a phlebotomist I have to draw all patients regardless of their sexual orientation. I do not treat homosexuals any different than I treat straightaways when taking precautions against exposures. Actually I was trained to treat all patients as if they had a genetic disease to lessen my risk of exposing myself to contaminants.I have also worked around individuals that outwardly discuss their sexual preferences and I dont think that they should not discuss it if it is not considered the norm, however I feel that all sexual orientations should be able to express themselves as long as its considered appropriate conversation considering the environment. 5)When social workers are in a situation where they must choose amongst two relevant, but competing choices, and where each choice may have an undesirable consequence for the parties involved, this is called an ethical dilemma. let out an ethical dilemma you have experienced.Discuss your decision-making process and factors which contributed to the ultimate outcome. Please protect confidentiality, and DO non reveal names o f individuals or organizations. I worked for my previous job for more than 7 years as a phlebotomist and I gained a lot of training and insight through this experience. With the economy becoming so bad my employer was having to cut back so they had hiring and wage freezes. I was working without insurance because the hiring freeze would not allow me to change my status from PRN to full time so that I could receive benefits.Suddenly, the hospital that I was working for through my employer decided not to renew their contract with my company which had my department in fear of unemployment. The hospital decided to open up their own laboratory and hire their own staff. This had a great impact on my employer because it was a great financial loss for our company which meant more potential cut backs. I was forced to make a difficult decision because I had a lot of experience with the company I was employed for but I needed benefits and the hospital was touring full time status plus benefits .Due to the short notice my current employer was insuring us that if we left them to work for the hospital that we will not be allowed to return there for employment. Do I stay or do I go was the question I would ask myself over and over. What if things didnt go well with this new laboratory? How long will the hiring and wage freeze last? After a a few(prenominal) months of deliberating I finally chose to work for the hospital. I thought this would be a great opportunity for me and I would be able to receive the benefits that I desperately needed for myself and my child.As of now, I have not regretted this decision. Our laboratory is a success and I am currently receiving the health benefits that I was seeking. I make a lot more money than I did with my previous employer and I also receive bonuses, spend time and holiday pay. This ethical dilemma turned out in my favor after all and I have no desire to return to my previous employer. 6)Social work is a profession that has large em otional demands on the practitioner. How do you handle stress and what coping skills do you anticipate using as a competent practitioner?I handle stress the best by remaining quiet down and focused so that I can think clearly and make good decisions. I like to reflect on what I think is causing the stress and figure out the best way possible to minimize that stressor. As a competent practitioner in the social work profession I plan to have stressful situations therefore Im not surprised or caught off guard when they occur. I will remain calm and level-headed as much as possible so that I can provide what is necessary. Through my experience I have noticed that people react better to individuals that are calm, confident and in control.People feel a lot safer when they are in the hands of a profession that is in control of the situation and that knows how to remain strong but sensitive to whatever the circumstances may be. 7)Graduate school provides learning opportunities that require an investment of time and energy. project to spend an average of 36 hours per week on homework for a regular load of quadruplet courses. In addition, three semesters of field practica require nearly 20-24 hours per week. Discuss why you are prepared to advert graduate school at this time in your life/career.Please describe plans that you are making to adjust your personal and professional life in order to successfully participate in a)The coursework, class preparation and assignments. Academic pursuits require approximately 9 hours a week per class. b)Two separate field practica of approximately 20-24 hours per week for 3 semesters. These practica must be completed at practicum agencies during daytime hours rarely do practicum sites offer night/evening/weekend hours. It has been 6 years since I graduated from college after completing my bachelors and I have now decided that I am ready to go back to college to receive a masters degree.Since relocating back to my hometown I have had trouble finding a job in my major, savage Justice, and would like to expand my knowledge by returning for a Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW). As a single mother of two children I plan on making a lot of adjustments in order to make this work out for me. I am currently working full-time, 40 hours or more a week, on dayshift so I dont have to adjust my hours for this program but more or less the amount of hours so that I can focus and have time to complete my assignments. )My children are enrolled in school and daycare so I plan to do a lot of the homework during their school/daycare hours to prevent distractions. I also anticipate a lot of late hours of studying beginning after I lay my children down to sleep at night. My biggest goal is to prevent and form of procrastination from hibernating within myself. I want to stay on top things so that I am not cramming and falling behind in my classes. Organization is also an important goal during this endeavor.Remaining organized w ill prevent me from missing assignments, due dates and all other important factors that may apply. b)The most difficult challenge I am veneer during this program will be the field practica of approximately 20-24 hours per week for 3 semesters. I am concerned that financial constraints may develop during this period of unpaid work. Therefore to prepare for this challenge I am currently saving as much money as possible while working full-time now. I want to be able to be focused on my practica and not financially hard put while trying to concentrate on my studies.I also plan on applying for financial aid so that I can receive assistance to help pay for my living expenses or get on and board. I was in a similar situation when I did my internship for my bachelors program except for that required 40 hours a week of unpaid time. I successfully completed that task through the methods mentioned previously so Im confident that everything will work out with this program. When I was a child my parents would ceaselessly use this quote Where there is a will there is a way and since I am very much willing I know that my faith will guide me the entire way.