Social Work tradition
Choosing to be a social services professional is a commitment to self, to others, and to society as a whole. My background as a biomedical researcher and a caregiver for a mentally disabled client has given me a sense that I treasure, that is, to engage with people at eye-to-eye level, with an understanding that there is an imminent need for the research-based policy and governance at a local community level, and at a societal level. This foundation will guide me in obtaining a deeper perspective and a good knowledge-base, guiding the principles of social work, especially in helping the immigrant youth at risk by engaging at the level of direct intervention. I am looking forward to join the ABC program to learn these principles and participate in serving the multi-layered, diverse ABC city community, to augment my understanding and qualification to provide the best social service.
I spent my early childhood in ABC countery, and moved to America during my turbulent years of puberty. I encountered a life of an "in-between generations" diaspora. There were many obstacles such as making new friends, learning a new language, and becoming a part of a new cultural environment. I felt alienated from this. There were times I did not feel safe because I knew I did not belong and became aware that I was visibly different, starting from how my facial features looked to the way I dressed - my jeans were a little too short. Only later I became aware these differences play crucial part in social hierarchy and discrimination. I became acquainted with other foreign students when I took ESL courses. These experiences influenced the way I viewed myself and the world, and I still need to progress in understanding the effects of these experiences on my self-esteem and my cultural identity. Also, these experiences played an important role in my perception of American social fabric; that there is a need for better representation and awareness for immigrant youth. And having grown up in both the eastern society and the western society I realized wherever you are from, you need to be connected with a community where you feel secure and welcomed. Ethnic and national backgrounds can affect our way of thinking at the core of who we are.
In college, I was given the opportunity to be an undergraduate and a graduate research assistant from 2012 to 2015 at the abc university. I participated in biomedical research focused on the treatment of breast cancer. I was also a mentor for undergraduate students and a manager of Dr. ABC's team-oriented research lab. I advised 5 undergraduate students to develop independent research projects. I attended local, national, and international conferences to present my research projects. As a lab manager, I scheduled, communicated, and organized weekly lab meetings, and purchased lab equipment and supplies.
This experience trained me to solve problems, and to strive for discoveries with open mind and resilient attitude. Through research, I learned the importance of critical thinking and the necessity of careful observation. Helping students and my role as a lab manager made me realize how important it is to involve myself with people at eye-to-eye level. These are some skills I can bring to the MSW program at ABC college. I would like to be involved in the community-engaged scholarship and also research-informed practice. Combining the two methodologies will provide a strong foundation to become well prepared, and civically engaged social worker.
While I was a graduate student, I was working for an autistic adult client as a caregiver. Through this experience, I realized the needs of mentally disabled and vulnerable people in carrying out day to day objectives. I was fully immersed in providing services for my client as a live-in caregiver. I assisted him with essential needs, including eating, dressing-up, and all toiletry needs. I also guarded him from attempts of self-harm and threatening actions toward others. In addition, I coordinated with the primary guardian to develop and implement appropriate programs for him. Interacting with my client provided me an opportunity to learn to communicate with patience and deliver specific needs of those in need with sensitivity.
As time progressed, there came a moment of realization, where I became utterly humbled by the service and the care provided by the individuals around him. Especially, my client's parents' sacrificial and genuine care inspired me and affected my perspective on life - that a disability may look on the surface as a dark, undesirable aspect of life, but it actually offers a chance for us to become more loving and caring people. Also, I developed an appreciation for the governing policies of social welfare programs that enable caregivers, social workers, and healthcare providers to deliver human service by the appropriate assessment, intervention, and evaluation.
I believe a society must have its roots in helping those in need. Strong education system and social welfare programs must be backbone of our society. And speaking out for inequality amongst the infringed, including refugees and immigrants, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and gender-nonconforming individuals, should be our ethos and the common voice to move forward. And we must continually re-examine the virtues of human rights. We must be concerned about the equality for the new-comers of our society, especially those who are stereotyped and disregarded.
These experiences led me to develop an understanding of a way, in which I can contribute to society. I want to be there to help people, listen to their perspectives, and empathize with the issues they face. More specifically, I want to be equipped to provide direct-intervention service to youth at risk especially those of immigrant background. I want to help provide resources to strengthen economic and social capabilities. To accomplish that goal, I must acquire a better understanding of the persisting issues facing immigrants, including generation gaps within parent-child dynamic, social adaptation, development of self and identity, and appropriate mental health treatments and therapies. To achieve that goal, I must learn the biopsychosocial perspective. I want to learn how clinical assessment and therapeutic interventions are being done, and about present practices of giving services to individuals, families and small groups. My background in pharmacology and toxicology studies will be valuable assets in understanding these principles. I must learn the necessary skills combined with my lived-in experiences to provide informed and authentic service to the community. I want to become a well-versed social worker who can make the contributions to the Social Work tradition.
