My Career as Social Work Practitioner Essay

When I considered social work as a profession the decision was one made with great ease. As a juvenile I faced many hardships that still affect my everyday life. After beginning my education as a social work major I now realize I was a youth that lacked a necessary advocate. Alot of problems that I dealt with could have been disputed or even prevented had I been able to receive certain resources and interact with the proper professionals. I notice also that there are more potential cases than professionals available to solve them today. The world we live in lacks advocates with the well-being of those suffering social problems in mind. My past and the sight I have gained for the future ,alone lead me to the profession of a social worker. As an adolescent I found myself in and out of the juvenile correctional system for various incidents. I now can say I struggled with many typical issues faced by those of my generation, while at the time not knowing of any help available to me outsid e of my home. Not only did I struggle with acting out but I also had many emotional tribulations that I later found could be maintained by seeking help from a clinical professional. While feeling I was at an dead end I met a social worker through Harris County JJAEP named Thelma Herman. With the help of Mrs. Herman I was able to take benefit of all the help and resources I was once lacking. She got involved in the middle of a big crisis in my life that lacked a lot of understanding from those around me. Her influences’ put me in the right direction with my education and allowed me to regain a hold on my life. Once I took advantage of various programs such as; Houston Advocates, MHMRA, and Snap, I was able to notice a great difference in my everyday life due to these resources. When I decided to further my education I spent a period of time looking for a profession that would suite my purpose of wanting to help others, that were in like situations of my own. Helping the youth, educating parents, and providing necessary resources’ for a family to properly function, can all be achieved in the social work profession. In the future as a social worker, I plan to practice at a micro level in schools or possibly a juvenile detention center. Past experiences alone will give me the basis I need to successfully help my clients and give them the necessary resources to be productive in life. My ultimate career goal will be to open a girl’s home, that offers all resources needed for girls age 13-21 with the intentions all who come through the doors will lead successful lives as an adult. I feel that every bit of my goals as a social work practitioner are achievable and thus the reason I find this very profession suitable.