The document discusses the author's motivation to pursue a career in social work to help change lives by focusing on individuals' strengths rather than problems. The author realized their interest in social work after taking psychology classes in college and wanting to make a deeper impact. They grew up in a supportive family environment and have experience helping others through volunteer activities. As a black belt in karate, the author gained confidence and taught self-defense skills. In their current role as an intern, they have experience guiding youth away from negative behaviors and creating trusting relationships. The author believes their determination, empowerment, and skills working with youth will help them succeed as a social worker.

1. I hope to enter the profession of social work with the motivation to change lives.
I understand that a social work career takes a certain kind of person, especially when
working with youth. I feel confident and passionate about being that person that can help
change someone’s life. Benjamin Disraeli once said, “The greatest good you can do for
another is not just share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.” I don’t want to change
lives by looking at the problems, I plan on using the person’s strengths to help them
overcome their obstacles. I want to be that person where someone says, “because of you,
I didn’t give up”, and someday I will be that person.
My interest and my commitment to the social work field came to me during my
sophomore year of college. I began college thinking I wanted to become the psychologist
you see on movies with the big leather chair, fancy office, and who helps the most
troubled people become happy again. After taking several classes in psychology I
realized the material I was learning was not fulfilling my interest to help others. After
seeking academic counseling, I ended up in an introduction to social work class. This
class struck the deepest part of my heart. My eyes were opened to the field of really
making a difference in peoples’ lives and helping them find the strength within
themselves to succeed in life. I soon changed my major to social work, never regretting
the change for a single moment. From then on, I realized I wanted to focus on being a
positive influence on troubled youth.
I grew up in an uplifting atmosphere with a supportive family by my side. I have
always been involved in opportunities to help others, from putting together food baskets
with my youth group, singing to elderly in nursing homes, raising money for charities
such as the American Cancer Society, and much more. I have always been active in

2. sports and leading a healthy lifestyle and put in all of my effort with my education. I have
pursued many opportunities and received certifications in both youth and adult mental
health first aid along with becoming a CPR first responder. When it comes to
opportunities I have been granted many, for which I believe has pushed me to where I am
today.
To this day I still believe my greatest accomplishment is earning my black belt
and assistant instructor certificate at the age of 15. One of the biggest feats of becoming a
black belt is to encourage and empower the youth and peers in the dojo. As I was earning
my black belt in karate I also assisted in teaching self-defense to women and children.
This opportunity allowed me to share my knowledge with others to give them the
confidence to defend themselves if the situation arises. With this, I felt satisfaction
leaving these women and youth with the skill to protect themselves and others. It was
because of karate, I gained confidence and self-determination for everything I do in life.
In my current role as a delinquency diversion intern I have gained confidence and
experience when supporting and guiding youth away from the negative facets in life.
When I enter the working field I see myself as a professional providing youth with a
positive opportunity to right their wrongs. I create a trusting relationship and empowering
atmosphere each time I speak with my youth and ensure they fully understand the better
opportunities that lie ahead of them and help provide the chances for them to take that
direction. I follow up on their success both inside and outside of school along with their
attitude changes at home. The skills and personal qualities I have developed within my
role as a diversion intern includes critical thinking, being able communicate freely and
respectively with youth and their families on problems they are going through. I have

3. learned how to work within a system and grow off of feedback from other professionals.
I'm looking forward to gaining applied experience while in a placement and increasing
my knowledge of what it means to be a social worker.
Each social worker is unique in their own way and holds their own personal
values and skills. My personal values of determination, empowerment, and courage came
about at the young age of eight when I began karate lessons. Ten years later I had earned
a black belt in Shotokan karate and the title of assistant instructor. Throughout the course
of that time, I had used my determination to earn my titles, my empowerment to help and
support other students, and my courage to achieve something different and stand out of
the crowd. Skills I possessed from this training grew as I continued school all the way
into earning my bachelors degree. I realized my passion for serving and encouraging
youth to be their best. I have strengthened my skills to be better able to relate to youth on
their levels so they can become more trusting of me and allow me to be a benefit to them
and to serve them. I have supported my learning by holding two internships, both
working with youth and holding a management position at my undergraduate campus. All
these things have assisted in my ability to set boundaries, be an active listener, and
persuade others into diverse ways of thinking. When working with youth I have realized
trust is one of the biggest components needed to form a good and successful relationship.
The skills I have obtained will allow me to open that professional relationship to find the
strengths that can be used to redirect their thoughts to positive thinking. My optimistic
but reality based attitude is a good combination when helping youth open their eyes to the
consequences and rewards of their actions.