statement of purpose for college application using the personal statement attached to have an idea of my goals. No more than 6 pages, double space, APA f

Goddeene Pierre

Howard University

March 6, 2025

Social Justice Issues and the Role of Social Workers

I believe that the systematic inequalities faced by veterans when transitioning from military service to civilian life are a major social justice problem in today's world. Veterans experience multiple challenges that include homelessness together with mental health issues and thoughts of suicide (Nichtner et al., 2023). I first encountered these challenges through my work at the VA hospital where I managed patient records and spoke with supervisors about veterans' struggles after leaving military service. My dedication to social work grew stronger when I learned about my Haitian cousin's service in the U.S. Army spanning six years. Her military service did not provide enough stability to support herself in civilian life, which demonstrates the financial struggles veterans often experience. As they advocate for underserved populations, try to improve existing systems, and fight for equal treatment, social workers play an essential role in advancing social justice. They link at-risk communities with programs that provide the tools people need to break through obstacles. My long-term career goal is to earn a social work degree and specialize in assisting veterans in obtaining mental health care, stable housing, and gainful employment.

Long-Term Career Path in Social Work

My long-term professional goal is to become a clinical social worker who specializes in providing mental health treatment to veterans. To become a licensed social worker in Florida, one must complete a supervised practice of one to two years' duration and then pass the Association of Social Work Boards' (ASWB) National Social Work Licensing Exam. I plan to move to Maryland, which has license requirements that are equal to those in Florida. My goal is to fight for marginalized groups, and the MSW degree at Howard University combines a commitment to social justice with a Black perspective, which made it an outstanding choice for me. I will be better equipped to assist veterans and other marginalized groups in overcoming the specific obstacles they confront thanks to the program's instruction in cultural competencies and principles of systemic change.

Strategies for Managing Life, Work, and School Balance

I believe time management skills and the ability to clearly define priorities are essential for juggling school, job, and life. As an undergraduate, I planned my academic schedule by including class times, due dates, work obligations, and designated times for relaxation. By doing so, I was able to maintain my academic performance at a high level and physical well-being without sacrificing good responsibility management. While pursuing my Master of Social Work degree at Howard University, I intend to keep doing things the same way. With the help of a well-thought-out schedule and other digital scheduling and task management tools, I will be able to fulfill all of my academic, agency-based, and personal obligations. In order to overcome any academic challenges that may arise, I intend to maintain an open line of communication with my instructors and supervisors.

Ethical Conduct in Social Work

In the social work field, it is very important to follow the standards set out in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). To me, ethical behavior means integrity, working for social justice, and making sure that everyone's dignity and humanity are respected. While keeping my academic integrity, I promise to be civil to my classmates and work hard in classrooms that value and support different learning styles. Regarding ethics, an agency must also protect client privacy while fighting for client well-being through collaborative service delivery. I promise to keep judging my own work and taking responsibility for any mistakes I make so that I can keep up a level of professionalism that is in line with social work standards.

Technological Applications in Social Work

Social work workers and students can use technology like GroupMe and LinkedIn to their advantage, but AI algorithms have also made things more challenging for them. GroupMe lets students work together with their friends, and LinkedIn lets them connect with professionals and find useful information. On the other hand, students may miss out on important interpersonal skills necessary for social work success if they rely too much on technology in their coursework.

Professionals can benefit from AI programs since they automate administrative tasks, leading to increased efficiency and more time to interact with clients. To make sure clients get the right kind of understanding and attention when technology is used, it needs to be balanced with human-centered methods. To be the most successful social worker I can be, I will use technology responsibly, but I will never compromise the profession's core values in the process. Artificial intelligence systems help professionals with administrative tasks more efficiently, according to Dali & Caidi (2023). This frees up more time for professionals to communicate with clients. The responsible use of technology allows me to be more effective while still adhering to the core values of social work. I will make sure digital solutions operate with meaningful human connection while maintaining client confidentiality and critically assessing the trustworthiness of technical tools.

Influential Experiences in Social Work

Overall, my Work experiences have significantly influenced my pursuit of social work. I became an advocate for veterans' needs after realizing, during my internship at the VA hospital, how many obstacles these individuals face. As a claims adjuster for Progressive, I have learned how to help people who have been in car crashes deal with the mental and emotional effects of the accident. Seeing how helpless and confused clients were made me even more determined to offer caring support and useful resources. Seeing these things happen and learning about how my cousin's time in the military has changed his life has made me even more determined to become a social worker. By getting my Master of Social Work from Howard University, I hope to make real progress toward ending the systemic injustices that soldiers and members of underrepresented groups have to deal with.

References

Dali, K., & Caidi, N. (2023). Social work education for the digital age: Insight from information science . Social Work Education, 42(5), 663-693. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2022.2057942

Nichter, B., Tsai, J., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2023). Prevalence, correlates, and mental health burden associated with homelessness in US military veterans. Psychological medicine, 53(9), 3952-3962. doi:10.1017/S0033291722000617