School of Social Work Graduate Fellowship 2016-2017 Submitted By: Taylor Wallace I have always been passionate about working with and helping others. The social work program at Western Illinois University (WIU) has given me the opportunity to give back to my community and begin channeling my passion to help others. I look forward to the opportunities and experiences St. Ambrose University will bring me in the near future. I take my academics very seriously while enjoying my learning experiences. I have made the Dean’s list three semesters in a row with a cumulative GPA of 3.978. I am working hard for my fourth semester on the dean’s list. Before I attended WIU, I was a student at Spoon River College in Canton where I made the presidents list …show more content…
I have had the pleasure of being a part of Big Brothers and Big Sisters program. Spending my time as a role model for my “little sister” has made a huge difference in not only her life, but also my own. Seeing her progress academically and behaviorally is very uplifting and gives me motivation to work with other at-risk youth. The organization plays a huge part in my decision to become a school social worker. I intend to remain a volunteer with the organization through adulthood. Along with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, I also spend time volunteering at Renaissance Care Center, a nursing home in Canton, IL. Renaissance Care Center has provided me the experience of working with the elderly as well as people with developmental disabilities. I truly enjoy my time spent volunteering with each age group, and will successfully apply my experiences to my future work. I am now completing my practicum at Heartland Healthcare Center. I have been able to apply my knowledge to the workforce, and have been reminded daily that social work is the job for me. It will be hard to leave the facility upon graduation, and have been asked to come back as a volunteer or activity assistant. Either way, I know I will be coming back to visit the residents and
While interviewing the social worker I choose I found out some really interesting and useful information. I not only found out things that strictly involved her and her life as a social worker but I also learned a lot for my future career in social work
of work. From this experience, I believe I am an excellent candidate for this program
I am a self-directed volunteer as a peer community worker for disabled people in Toronto GTA. I am willing to speak with you, in groups or publicly any time about it. Nonetheless; when rough times have fallen upon my life and health in the past, I have always responded with humor and generosity since, my gratitude is the state of mind of thankfulness. Most people can describe me as being direct, humorous, down to earth and caring for the fellow humans. At this moment in time, I am the founder and manager of Peer Community Hub, as well as a social entrepreneur whose ideas, tasks and values are to build peer to peer community drop-in center for disabilities who are directed by disability people. History of street life, disability, and cornice
I have always known that it is my passion to help people. This is why upon graduating I attended Mohawk College to pursue a career as an Educational Assistant. After receiving my diploma I began my career helping children with special needs. On a daily basis I have interactions with social workers and children who are involved with the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. I have had many eye opening experiences during my time spent with them. I have worked alongside our school’s Social Worker and have gained insight into mental health. Being an E.A. is rewarding, but I have come to the realization that I aspire to do more for children in need; I wish to become a social worker.
I have a passion for helping children and an interest in pursuing school social work, I decided to interview my mother’s co-worker, Belle Walker. Belle is an exceptional children’s (EC) social worker for Union County Public Schools and works directly with students and families who need assistance finding resources in order for them to succeed in the classroom. Belle is a very passionate person and loves her work. During her undergraduate, she held an internship at a transitional homeless shelter working with families. As she attended graduate school in Illinois, Belle worked night shifts in a domestic violence shelter as a counselor. After graduate school, she decided to move back to Charlotte and found a job working with A Child’s Place
In applying to Arizona State University’s School of Social Work (ASU SSW) Ph.D. program, I aspire to peruse a career as a social work educator. I plan to use this platform and newly acquired skills developed with the university, to advance the field
I am currently a Psychology major at Brigham Young University. I am graduating in April 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Psychology and a double minor in Family Life and Gerontology. This coming December 2016, I will be applying to the Masters of Social Work program at both BYU. I hope to become a medical social worker and be employed in a hospital as a child life specialist or a therapist for cancer patients and families. I’m attracted to social work because I served a service mission for 18 months in Guatemala teaching ecclesiastical principles and providing service to hundreds of Guatemalans. I left my heart there and came back with a determination to help those in need. With my educational background and my ability to speak Spanish, I am confident that I will be able serve many people in need. I have been able to volunteer as a Hospice Relief Supporter, a volunteer teacher at the Utah State Hospital, a volunteer at the crisis line, and as the Volunteer Coordinator at Camp Kesem (a free summer camp for children whose parents are affected by cancer). The more I volunteer, the more experience I gain and the greater my desire for social work grows.
I believe social work is a passion and is consistent with my personality traits: loyalty, commitment, and personal servitude. This passion coupled with the forthcoming skills gained from an MSW degree at Florida International University, I will have the honor of becoming a professional social worker with unlimited possibilities to advocate, provide direct services or lead an organization-all of which will lead to my ultimate goal of positively affecting the lives of vulnerable people. FIU offers a quality, high-intensity program that will surely equip me with the tools to do this great profession and act of public service
The decision to pursue my education in social work at Dalhousie University was not an easy one. While I was growing up, my career choice changed all of them time, but I always knew that I wanted to do something fulfilling, in which I could “help” and support people. My mom was a nurse and always loved helping people; I always figured I would follow in her footsteps, however I learned at an early age that sciences do not come easy to me. Unfortunately, my mom lost her battle to breast cancer when I was eight years old, so I hope that by me helping people socially, rather than medically like she did, will continue her legacy.
The interview session I had with Kayla Huddleston was necessary in understanding different dynamics of the Social Work profession. Ms. Huddleston is an experienced professional who works in the social work program at Seattle University. She performs diverse roles in the social work program at the university. She is a program coordinator for a social work program and responsible for recruitment and admission program in the university. She also organizes and ensures different social programs including graduation within the university. Her program coordination role requires diverse skills and competencies and at least a Master’s degree in social work from a recognized university. Kayla Huddleston holds a Master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington specializing in policy and administration. Her micro-level policy and system duties enable her to develop strategies and administrative policies that directly influence the lives of different people in the society.
Social work is a career that finds and chooses you, rather than you selecting it. Social work has always been an immense portion of my life even when I had no recollection of what social work entailed. My life revolved around so many situations that had a social worker stepped in, my life would be totally different than it is today. Many individuals and agencies lack the compassion and empathy for oppressed people. Having been in many circumstances, has given me the experience and background that influenced me to go into social work, as well as the understanding of my role and responsibilities that I will assume as a professional social worker, and my reasons for selecting the program at ASU School of Social Work and thoughts on how the Mission Statement addresses my career goals.
After I graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara I was unsure what my next step would be. Of course I was anxious since I did not have experience working nor did I excel in my undergrad studies however, I knew I needed to use my newly earned degree in a positive way. Fast forward, after working for two years, I have gained the skills, knowledge and values from my work experiences that have confirmed my desire to advance my education in the social work field. I currently have my own case load of clients as a case manager at a level 12 group home but it’s time to take the next step forward. I want to ultimately advance social justice and provide services to assist individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
Captain Rob Geis agreed to be interviewed and share his experiences with the next generation of Social Workers. Native to Ohio, he graduated High School in 1979, he continued his education at Ohio State University from 1982-1986, completing his Masters in Social Work. For the past 24 years, he has served as a Social Worker in the United States Army. In his current position he is responsible for the Department of Social Work Services. Previous positions have included: two assignments as a Division Social Worker, Medical Inpatient Social Worker, Chief of Social Work, Division Chief of Mental Health, Clinical Director of Army Substance Abuse Program, Combat Operation Stress Control Commander, and General Staff
This worker was able to meet with Ms. Mango on 3/10/2017 at her mother Katherine Mango’s home located at 477 Fairton Road in Monroe New Jersey.
As the saying goes, “Our children are our future” and who you are as a child can determine who you can be later on in life. It is important for a child to be in a safe, comfortable and loving environment during its development so that the child can have the full advantage to become the best he can be in his future. My future career as a social worker will ensure just that. I chose this profession because of my own history. Growing up, I’ve had my share of social workers in my house. I experienced them as people who helped my family during a hard time. This is a career where I can fight for people’s rights. I will also be able to protect