I am most proud of my long trajectory of helping others. This is why at mid-life, 50, I can now afford the luxury of devoting myself to full-time social work. Even though I have already been actively engaged in my calling since May of 2008, working as a Family Involvement Specialist and a dedicated Case Manager and I enjoy working with an inter-disciplinary team very much; I long to go forward as a professional and earn the MSW that alluded me for too long. Being a non-traditional student at the half century mark carries advantages of accumulated wisdom upon which to depend in the formulation of social strategies.
Your program is ideal for me because it will allow me to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I am especially interested professionally in working as a clinician doing assessments and therapy. Someday I would like to open my own practice working in collaboration with other clinicians. I am a strong candidate for your program because I espouse the values of the social work code: service, social justice, dignity, advocacy of the sense of self-worth of the person; the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. I have incorporated and continue to develop the values of the social work profession and look keenly forward to increasing my knowledge by earning a MSW from the University of XXXX.
I look forward to exploring mental health issues as they related to poverty, unemployment, and discrimination, always with optimism and dedication to the goals of progressive social change, exploring issues of oppression, diversity, access to needed information, services, and resources for the promotion of promotion of social justice. I would like to think that my ability to accept and respect individuals as they are—--physically, mentally, spiritually, and culturally—to be my greatest strength and gift. As a social worker it is not only my duty but also my joy to help others: strengthening, promoting, maintaining, and enhancing the wellbeing of individuals, families, social groups, organizations, and communities. Promoting the ethical principles, values, and standards of the profession, always trustworthy with integrity.
I look forward to increasing my competence in the field of social work by developing knowledge and skills through completing my graduate studies at your program.
I have great hope that earning a master's degree in social work will allow me to realize my professional dreams of serving as a Child and Family Therapist working with adolescents with substance abuse and gender identity issues. I would especially enjoy working with gay teenagers who struggle with their sexual orientation issues, most in the context of substance abuse; looking at if and how these issues relate to each other and if being gay increases the risk for substance abuse.
I would also like to explore appropriate treatment modalities that work best with this population. I see myself working in a hospital setting with patients who are facing serious illness and death/dying issues, providing solidarity and counseling. Finally, I would like to create a community outreach program addressing the concerns and needs of the growing older gay male population. I was recently most impressed by an article that discussed the growing number of older gay men who are isolated and disconnected—frequently dealing with chronic health, financial and socialization issues without support or services to assist them in getting the help they need.
My life experiences and career choices have all involved helping others. I can remember in elementary school raising money for UNICEF and donating money to local agencies to help feed the poor. In high school, I volunteered at the local hospital helping with patients who were receiving physical therapy or recuperating from a serious illness. In college, I was a peer mentor helping other college students to deal with personal and school issues and finding other resources to help them. My undergraduate degree is in Family Relations with a minor in Psychology and I specialized in Gerontology and Death and Dying issues. I currently work with children and families. I feel that a MSW degree will allow me to advance on my career path working with children, adolescents, adults, and the aging population.
All my work experience has involved helping others and utilizing my abilities to coordinate services and activities. From my work as a waiter to working in the Entertainment Industry to being a realtor—in some way it has all related to my ability and drive to help others. Through all my work experiences, I have developed an enthusiastic sense of humor, patience, objectivity, compassion, and diplomacy. My ability to work with diverse populations from oppressed to affluent communities is a great asset for a social work professional and comes naturally to me.
I have experience working with people with substance abuse issues, sexual orientation and sexual addiction issues, and other mental health issues. I have worked in the field of social work for 6 years, providing supportive services to children, families, and the aging. The greatest contribution that I might be able to make to society would be to harness my talents and experience to do everything that I can for my clients.
Our aging gay male population faces special challenges, and it is critically important that we have an adequate supply of MSW Social Work professionals who take it upon themselves to provide special consideration to this important sector of our society, often suffering from substance abuse in their past alongside the ravages of time. I look forward to taking a special interest in this population as an MSW professional. And I want to thank you for your consideration of my application to your program.
MSW Child & Family Therapy Statement of Purpose