Msw Personal Statement

My interest in mental health and social justice arose early in my education. I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career that allowed me to help others; I dreamed of being a catalyst for change. The moment I learned about the field of social work, I felt that it was the answer I had been looking for. I chose to major in psychology during my undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, adding a minor in gender and health in order to diversify and expand my knowledge of marginalized populations. My education has shaped what I have learned into a tool that has granted me invaluable experience and a means to express my opinions about the need for social change. A social justice issue that I have become passionate about is destigmatizing

I would love to continue working with populations that face frequent prejudice and do not receive adequate support; furthering the education of myself, other mental health professionals, and people that care for individuals dealing with certain conditions is essential. The MSW program will provide the knowledge you need to achieve these career goals. I hope to acquire more interpersonal skills, specifically communication skills. I want to be able to express my empathy in a healthy way, learning how to properly talk to people diagnosed with severe mental illness and their loved ones. Some people may not understand or want to understand the experience of a loved one with a mental health condition; however, I feel that it is my duty to help them. For the past few months, I have been working as a behavior technician. It has been so fulfilling to apply my psychology knowledge to the work I have been doing. The children I provide treatment for have autism, and the therapy is based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Although I started the job with limited knowledge of ABA, I have discovered so much about

I have sat in on occupational, speech, and physical therapy appointments that work on different goals and help children with autism perform activities of daily living. All of these therapies are so important, and I hope that they continue to encourage neurotypical perspectives to change. Instead of having individuals with autism adapt to the world around them, the world should continue making strides to accommodate neurodivergent needs. Anti-racism is an extremely significant component of social work, and it is important that we uphold the values that the University of Michigan prides itself on. The dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been a remarkable tool in nearly every class I have taken at this school, and I have consequently discovered how to be a better activist because of the focus on it. In order to demonstrate my commitment to anti-racism, I want to acknowledge the steps that I have taken and will take to portray my readiness to further the School of Social Work’s mission. First, I recognize my privilege as a white person, understanding that I have the power to spread awareness and inform those who are not aware. The onus of education should never solely rely on people of