I have chosen to pursue a career in social work because I have had the opportunity to

endure difficult life experiences and also have come alongside others as they have weathered
their own. During those times, some resources were easily found and others were challenging,
thereby causing the situation to be even more frustrating. In 2011, the opportunity arose for me
to return to college after fifteen years of being a stay at home mom. During those years, I
organized bowling, euchre, and pasta dinner fundraisers to assist students in raising fund to
attend service projects. I also spend countless hours volunteering for local and national
organizations. While volunteering, I had encountered many young ladies who are pregnant and
some even homeless who needed assistance. When I met with a Macomb Community College
advisor and explained to her that I wanted to work with adolescent or young adult women, but I
did not want to just sit behind a desk. She suggested I pursue a social work degree and my
journey began to fulfill my educational goals. I earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts in
2012, and then transferred to Wayne State University to achieve a Bachelor of Social Work
Degree. In May 2015, I will complete my undergraduate goal. Since I returned to school in
2011, I have maintained a 4.0 grade point.
Shortly after being accepted into Wayne State University School of Social Work Bachelor
Degree Program, I received an invitation requesting membership with the Honors College. My
participation in Honors College has afforded me additional learning opportunities. I conducted
two honor options during the Winter 2014 semester that involved creating a resource manual for
a low income area and designing a reading and mentoring program plan to be used in that low
income community. The resource manual was emailed and printed for community centers and
businesses in the low income area. The program plans may eventually be used in that
community through a local church. During the Winter 2015 semester, I conducted additional
research in an organizational analysis paper of my field practice, the Foster Care Review Board,
to thoroughly explained the laws which govern the organization. I also completed a paper
discussing the values and policies present during the civil rights marches in Selma, Alabama.
By adhering to Wayne State Universitys School of Social Work Core Competencies, I
am prepared to enter the professional field of social work. My BSW education introduced
various methods of professional communication with clients and other professionals. Through
writing numerous self-reflection assignments, I am cognizant of my own personal values and
biases. Being aware of my physical demeanor and tone, I can identify as a social worker and
conduct oneself accordingly (Competency 2.1.1). I apply social work principles to guide practice
(Competency 2.1.2) by recognizing those values and biases and not forcing my personal choices
onto someone elses life because everyone has a right to self-determination. In my field practice,
I currently have the opportunity to work closely with many LMSW professionals at the Foster
Care Review Board. I can apply critical thinking skills to inform and communicate professional
judgment (Competency 2.1.3) during a review of a foster childs case to assist in determining a
recommendation to ensure the childs safety, wellbeing, and timely permanency are the main
focus.
The BSW curriculum has provided the ability to be familiar with the several cultures in
the world, especially in our nation. My internship at the Foster Care Review Board enables me to
engage diversity and difference in practice (Competency 2.1.4). Michigans foster children are a
diverse group of people, so it is important to be cognizant of their cultural needs in an effort to
assist them in maintaining their culture during their time in the foster care system. I have the
opportunity to learn more about cultural and disciplines as I serve with the other Foster Care
Review Board members.

My conceptualization of a social worker is a professional who utilizes their education to

advance human rights and social and economic justice (Competency 2.1.5). As an intern at the
Foster Care Review Board, I have advocated for the rights of the foster care children. Bringing
awareness to the facts of human trafficking is a passion of mine. As an assistant farmers market
manager, I invite human trafficking awareness groups to education the public about the realities
of human trafficking.
The Foster Care Review Board and my educational courses have provided me with a rich
learning experience of the evidenced based practice utilized in Michigans foster care system. I
serve as a board member in Wayne and Kent Counties, plus I participate in Ingham Countys
foster parent appeal review. I examine the foster childs case material to ensure the childs needs
are being met. By engaging in research-informed practice and practice informed research,
(Competency 2.1.6) I recognize that a foster child may exhibit disruptive behaviors after a visit
with their biological parent; however, research has been conducted that states this may be the
childs way of showing they miss their parent or it may be an indicator that the child needs
assistant in forming healthy attachment bonds. Each individual child is different so the extensive
amount of researched based resources is helpful to assist in making a decision to increase or
decrease parenting time.
A social worker should apply knowledge of human behavior and social environment
(Competency 2.1.7) while assisting a person in need. The Person In Environment (PIE) Theory
can be apply to the client systems by using the proper interviewing skills and learning as much as
possible about a client and their environment. This knowledge will assist them in empowering
the client to making the best choices to meet their personal goals.
A recent opportunity to engage in policy practice to advance social and economic wellbeing and to deliver effective social work services (Competency 2.1.8) was as a member of the
Adoption Oversight Committee. We discussed the issues of rehoming a child. An example of
rehoming is a foster child has been given away by adoptive parents to people who have not kept
the child safe. Sometimes these children end up being trafficked. As a group a document was
drafted to present to Michigan Legislature about the details of rehoming in hopes of a bill being
drafted to prevent a child from being rehomed.
My life experiences have provided me with a broad perspective on issues. I have read
about numerous problems in my textbooks; however, I think the fact that I have experienced the
feelings of frustration that can arises as you seek help while being burdened by financial
difficulties, family medical issues, homelessness and many more life issues provides me with a
personal advantage. I have lived in a hotel while my parents battled through a divorce, had to
struggle financially because my husband lost his job of ten years with no severance package, and
sat beside my aging parents as they have had numerous medical tests to determine what is
causing their pain or discomfort. Thankfully, through all of my life experiences I have had a
well-established support system around me. Many people do not have that luxury or know how
to achieve it. I am also aware there is not one solution that will improve a persons difficulties.
My ability to recognize that support and resources can assist someone in reaching their goals will
help me respond to contexts that shape practice (Competency 2.1.9).
The BSW program courses and my internship at the Foster Care Review Board has
provided me with the tools needed for me to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with
individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (Competency 2.1.10) During a
review of a childs care material I need to engage with the child and their interested parties,
assess what services are being provided and what needs the child has that are not being met. I

can make recommendation of ways to meet the needs of the child. Then at the next review I can
evaluate the child progress.
I welcome feedback from others in professional and personal situations. I know there is
always room for improvement in my life. Encouragement is also helpful to me while I strive to
complete my educational goals. Working under pressure is a constant in my life. I currently
work full time in the summer and part time during the school year, homeschool my son, attend
full time courses, and attempt to fulfill my objectives as a wife and mom. My current goals do
not leave me a lot of time to officially relax, but I manage to complete each tasks by
compartmentalizing them. I know there is an end in sight and I enjoy the adventure. As an
assistant farmers market manager, I need to provide the best experience for the vendors while
still following all the food assistance benefit rules and government obligations. My current job
requires that I work well with others. I have to manage a staff and also meet the goals of my
supervisor and director. Problems arise consistently when dealing with weather, vendor issues,
and the general public; however, we find solutions together and get the tasks completed.
I chose to apply to Wayne State University Social Work Program because I wanted to be
part of a diverse atmosphere that understands the importance of providing adequate assistance in
urban areas. The School of Social Work has a long established mission of promoting social
justice as well as providing a well-rounded education to its students so they may act out the
mission in the communities. Through attending BSW courses at Wayne State, I can analyze the
impact of the urban context on a range of client systems, including practice implications
(Competency 2.1.11). I now have a new love for the City of Detroit and am intrigue by other
urban areas. Two years ago, I would not have imagined having an internship in Detroit. But after
attending classes and learning more about the wonderful aspects of Detroit, I am excited to be
part of the improvements needed in the city. I would like to work in an urban area and hopefully
bring more awareness to the institutional racism that separates the city of Detroit from the
suburbs. In July 2015, I will strive to achieve my next goal of completing a Master of Social
Work Degree with a concentration in Innovation in Community, Policy, and Leadership.
After completing a MSW and working several years in the child welfare system, I would
like to be employed by the Childrens Service Administration Bureau of Child Welfare to
conduct qualitative research studies in the child welfare system. After an extensive study is
conducted, all interested parties discuss the strengths of the case and create goals to ensure the
focus is always the safety, well-being and permanency of a child. The studies also assist in
learning more about the collaboration of the child welfare and judicial systems. A lack of
collaboration between lawyers and caseworkers can cause barriers for families.
My ultimate goal is to create and manage a program which will offer a variety of
opportunities for youth. My initial focus will be homeless youth because a person needs housing
to start building the steps to a better life. The program would include job training, housing
assistance, mentoring, tutoring, money management, and information on ways to prepare for
college.