Directing a teenage girl with a young child to programs that can help her complete high school and gain financial assistance to survive and feed her toddler requires knowledge of the social safety net available that clients themselves often lack. The soul of the profession is one which balances compassion, clear-sighted reason, and a motivation to take immediate and productive steps for change. The soul of the profession is to offer compassion, effective and informed assistance without judgment.
Preparing for the profession thus begins with gaining an academic degree. But it also requires seeking out real-world situations through volunteering to learn more about the world. Having the critical and open mindset that is necessary for the profession is reinforced by seeking out books, newspapers, and other sources of information about the world and the challenges my clients may encounter. Taking a course...
When people are suffering personal trauma, it is my natural instinct to sympathize with them. But a good social worker must also help people become more self-sufficient. Social workers also need to obey the law, and not become too emotionally involved in the lives of people they aid. But ultimately, I think my desire to help people will be an asset in my work. Too many times the public has read about children, wives, or other people in need who were ignored by the system. Social workers are there to help people in need and to use the system in an effective way: I wish to be a voice for the voiceless.
