MSW Personal Statement

The opportunity to show compassion towards other people, and make a difference in their lives I find rewarding and a career in social work allows me to fulfill these aspirations. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. This is a quote that has always meant so much to me, especially when I was faced with many problems in my life. I have always had a great interest in helping and working with others, as far back as I can remember. Facing my own personal problems at the young age of six made me insightful beyond my years. My mother had an alcohol problem and when my parents divorced, my father gained custody of my brother and I. As the eldest child I grew up fast, I helped care for my brother on a daily basis. My childhood involved a lot of social workers and court interventions that helped me gain an understanding of how social workers can intervene and help. It helped me develop empathy and sensitivity towards others, essential skills that a social worker requires. My personal problems made me determined to become a social worker and use my own experiences to help others facing similar difficulties. I found that Social work will require honesty, the ability to problem solve, determination as well as a lot of patience and perseverance. These are all qualities I gained through personal and work experience and that make me ideal to further my educational career in the Advance Standing MSW program offered at Hunter College.
Today, I work with the Interfaith Hospital as a Patient Navigator; this position allows me to travel throughout the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn providing health coverage to the impoverished communities. This has given me a sense of accomplishment and maturity. However, I feel the need to give back to the community that helped me so much. I know what it is like to be on the "receiving end" of social work. Ideally, people would be naturally inclined to trust someone who has already experienced "the system" firsthand. My background, my