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Running head: SELF REFLECTION PAPER

Self Reflections Paper Pretest Paper

Yolanda M. Johnson
Georgia State University
August 27, 2014

SELF REFLECTION PAPER

Abstract
This paper will give a detailed illustration of my pretest results, current self awareness, and
understanding of other cultural environments to enhance my knowledge and build upon my
competence in cultural awareness, knowledge acquisition, and skill development to become a
proactive competent Social Worker for different ethnicities and diverse groups. Through this
foundational understanding, and educational experience, I am providing a platform to begin my
journey of becoming more competent throughout the semester and reflect on my educational
growth at the end of the semester through a reflection posttest.

SELF REFLECTION PAPER

Introduction
I have acquired various perspectives on different things throughout life that have ultimately
given me a humble demeanor and now have influenced a positive outlook towards many
situations people may encounter as a result of sexism, oppression, and marginalization. Also, a
keen interest towards social work was developed as a child due to some unfortunate situations;
however, my awareness of depression and self-doubt has become enhanced as a result of my past
experiences and may have been reflective towards some of my knowledge in the pretest
questions. I scored a 112 on the first pre-test and a 270 on the second pre-test. The high scores
determine that I am likely to have knowledge of self awareness and cultural competence along
with some awareness of diverse cultural groups and socioeconomic justice.
Surprises
Although I scored considerably high on my second pretest, I was surprised I was still
significantly unsure about a few questions that pertained to Muslim Americans, Women, Older
Adults, and socioeconomic justice. Also, my skill development scores of the first pre-test were
also low. I was also very pleased to be considered knowledgeable about my own self awareness;
however, my skill acquisition competence was very low in understanding how to interact on a
macro level with a variety of cultures. These surprises are significant to me because they have
given my interest in social work a boost of willingness to learn more. Fortunately, I now
understand why the social work profession is considered an ongoing practice field of
professional education. As I finished the first pre-test, I noticed the questions were much more
subjective and logical then I originally expected. The second pretest encouraged me to
concentrate and analyze my true understandings and feelings of not only myself, but also the
civil rights issues and personal feelings other nationalities may experience in America.
My Overall Feelings
I feel very excited overall. I am eager to learn more about various cultures and
socioeconomic justice needed in our society to make and enforce laws that are sensitive to
vulnerable groups. After I finished the pretest, I prayed about receiving spiritual guidance in
developing different ways to insure my success, not only in this class or this semester, but
throughout the entirety of my social work career. My pretest scores are high but sometimes my
confidence can get low and anxiety tries to creep into my emotions. However, I am now
confident in my abilities to obtain success and now I am also extremely eager to receive more
knowledge throughout my career to not only enhance my understanding of others, but I look
forward to become more socially aware of myself. I believe these positive feelings and personal
understandings will help my journey in becoming culturally competent to positively influence
others

SELF REFLECTION PAPER

Life Events
My pretest scores are high because I am familiar with some of the material. I have
experienced racial injustices from being an African American female. I also understand the
social differences women may experience in everyday life as well as in the workforce in
comparison to men. Being the youngest out of three girls and how my parents raised my sisters
and I mainly centered on Christian values and religious beliefs with an influential church
environment helped shape my positionality. As a child, I always took an interest in learning
about the way people may live thats different from my own belief system. My curiosity
encouraged me to be socially versatile. I had Caucasian friends, Asian friends, and African
American friends, and therefore, I was also viewed as different within my own community. My
parents had kept a very strict household but I always remained the most obedient and responsive
child. My parents divorced when I was a teen and my life took a drastic turn after. My mother
battled greatly with depression after her divorce, and unfortunately, she never received any
mental help other than our church peer support. These particular events outline a few of my firsthand experiences. Therefore, I am aware of the significant role social workers can play in people
daily lives.
Conclusion and Improvements
This pretest and writing assignment has boosted my confidence and increased my
eagerness to become a competent professional social worker. I want to improve my statistical
knowledge as well as my socioeconomic understandings on a macro level. I plan to achieve
positive results by developing my own self-awareness that may in turn have a positive impact on
my future clients as well as work relationships with colleagues.

SELF REFLECTION PAPER