Personal statement

/in /by

Personal Statement

Author’s name

Institutional Affiliation

Introduction

I am a former U.S. army combat soldier, having been involved in combat roles in military intelligence in Afghanistan. However, I am currently an undergraduate at Chapman University pursuing my degree in psychology with an institutional GPA of 3.463. I am at present in my final classes, and I expect to graduate this coming June 2012. I anticipate enrolling in your Masters program in social work, despite the fact that my degree is in psychology. I took up degree studies in psychology major due to my experience in combat roles in military intelligence in my deployment in Afghanistan in 2004. At the time, I needed to study and understand how events affect the human brain, and behavior.

I believe that the Masters program in social work at California State University East Bay will prepare me for service to a wide-ranging spectrum of persons: family problems, social problems, physical disabilities, or mental disabilities through rehabilitation therapy and helping individuals develop the requisite skills for dealing effectively with their individual problems.

In my pursuit for an opportunity in the Masters program in social work, I look forward to work with vulnerable populations. This would be in diverse ways that would empower, and enable them to partake in the social work change processes. I believe that the Masters program in social work at California State University East Bay, would prepare me as an agent for change, and enable me to work successfully in an increasingly multifaceted, racially, and culturally diverse society.  I believe that through this program, I would be able to learn, understand as well as respond to forms of repression. These are factors that generate and maintain impediments to participation and well-being in society.

I also believe that, this program would enable me to become a valuable researcher in the field of social work. Consequently, I would be a selfless and highly dedicated social work practitioner. I desire to work with the mentally ailing populations, as a social worker, as I help them in develop the requisite knowhow and skills that would assist them in dealing with the unique social difficulties that are brought about by their illness. Following my service in the conflict, I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), together with traumatic brain injury, and later on diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Therefore, I resolved that the best way to add value into my being and help others was to learn psychology and how events affect the brain, and behavior.

Prior to my deployment to Afghanistan, I spent ten years working with the city and county of San Francisco as a transit operator (cable car grip man/ conductor). One of my strengths is depicted in caring for others, since I volunteer to assist people regardless if whether I know them or not. I believe that people should take care of, and help each other. Another strength I possess is perseverance, whereby, in line with my military training, that no matter how complex a task would be, I do not surrender until it is completed. My intent is to offer my services in a Veterans Administration hospice, or clinic. The rationale for choosing the Masters program in social work at California State University East Bay is that, as a social worker, I desire to help other veterans, as well as their families. I look forward to having one on one relation with the people that I am serving. I believe that, I am a prospective valuable asset to the VA health care as a social worker rather than pursuing Masters Degree in a psychology program.

My desire to pursue the Masters program in social work at California State University East Bay is motivated by the fact that, in contemporary times, the frequency of PTSD has escalated, with the majority of new cases identified in veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. PTSD is usually epitomized by flashbacks in the structure of nightmares, hyper-vigilance conditions or feelings of emotional deadness to the real world. This rapid increase in PTSD is related to the nature of these conflicts. Cases of depression amongst Afghanistan and Iraq veterans have risen by 6% to 7% in every quarter, according to VA statistics, with approximately 9,000 fresh cases each three months. It is in this perspective that I desire to continue serving my country as a social worker addressing the issues that face the veterans today.

Some of my accomplishments as a combat veteran diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, as well as PTSD, and multiple sclerosis, is that I interact effectively with strangers. Another achievement is that I am competent in writing good papers in my classes. In addition, I have been severally requested by one of my psychology professors to speak in his psychology classes at diverse colleges concerning my posttraumatic stress disorder, and how it disabled me, and how I am fighting it.

Although I lack ample work experience in the social worker field, I successfully did volunteer work at an outpatient VA clinic in Martinez. I believe that, California State University East Bay is the most appropriate university, in regard to the Masters program in social work. This is because; the university admits persons with robust interest in attaining a MSW, with a focus on family life, or mental health across the lifespan. Since the MSW program receives individuals with varied life experiences, as well as those with disabilities, persons with lived experience as family members or patrons of mental health services, and other groupings that may not be well represented in the social work career, I believe that I am fit for the program.

I believe that, my greatest gift as a person, that I ought to contribute to the Masters program in social work at California State University East Bay, and later my country in general, is a compassionate heart. Besides being a compassionate and caring veteran, I am also exceptionally patient, particularly well motivated, and a very enthusiastic learner. I discern that the Masters program will be incredibly challenging, and consequently, in the event that I am admitted into the program at California State University East Bay, I would engage all my faculties in order as to focus permanently on my learning. My family and acquaintances are exceedingly supportive of my pursuit for the Masters program, especially since it will grant me with the prospect to go on serving my country.

The terrible and extreme nature of conflict touches something fundamental in relation to being human. For the survivors, the defeated, and the victors, the war stays alive in their memories, and hence the nightmares. These are the struggles that every war veteran fights every day of their lives. Consequently, this is precisely where I believe that, my training in the Masters program in social work at California State University East Bay will help me offer valuable input as a scholarly war veteran.

Get 15% discount on your first order with us
Use the following coupon
FIRST15

Order Now

Personal Statement

/in /by

 

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education Application  (ACPE) HSL:

Jewish Geriatric Chaplaincy Training 

2. A reasonably full account of your life.

Let me begin by introducing to you who I am and where I was born and raised.

The year was August 8, 1959, I was born at Temple Hospital which is located on North Broad Street Philadelphia Pennsylvania.  I say with pride and boldness I am a  African-American woman born in The United States of America,

My parents were Blessed with the birth of having nine children, four boys and five girls; I was raised in a household where there was love, laughter, peace, and sadness.

I can recall as a child my mother, maternal grandmother, and my eldest sister Bonnie reared me to become the woman I am today, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit of God. Still today I wonder about what made me so special back then that they kept me close underneath them, and never far out of their sight.

My parents raised their children to say Grace and Bless our food before we put a morsel of food in our mouth’s. My siblings and I were raised with morals and values that would give us stability in life. For example; I was asked over and over again starting at the age of five what I would like too become when I grow-up? After going to college/ maybe Villanova or Temple University. Temple  University is where my father went to law school.  I was undecided of exactly what I imagined my career life would look like as an adult, I know I liked being with people. My parents kept reminding their children that there are two types of people in the world; good people and bad people, what type of people would you have for friends? My maternal grandmother taught me how to pray in the morning and at night before going to bed. I would pray at night on my knees that God for keeping me and my family during the day, and in the morning thanking God for watching over my family and I during the night. My maternal grandmother lived with us until the day of her death.

3. A description of your spiritual growth and development 

The lineage of my maternal grandmother’s faith was Baptist, which she practiced and passed on to her only child, mother and her grandchildrenI. At the age of 5 years old I really did not have a full understanding who God was and why I was born and living here in the world. Life for me was a mystery and trying to understand God. 

I  was 9 years old when my grandmother die in  July 1970, I stopped attending church for awhile it was something about God that made me to seek Him, worship Him, and try to build a relationship with God to understand who He is and what part God work in my life (why am I here and what is my purpose in life).

The year my disconnection from God happened right before my 11th birthday, August 8,1972 and the week of my graduation from elementary school, one week after my sister Bonnie gave birth to her first child, my mother passed away June 23, 1972. I was unable to comprehend what had happened to my mother and I waited and waited and waited and my mother never came back home. I need to express that death is one of the subjects that my family talked about or expressed openly. I was raised with the belief that “children should be seen and not heard and children should never be in the present of adult conversations.” 

Bonnie, my oldest sister  moved out into an apartment with her daughter, leaving the four youngest  children in the house with my father to care for 3 teenage girls and 1 teenage son. My father was Honorably discharged from the Navy, because he was wounded in the War. After my father recovered from his injuries he  sustained from the war he worked as a long distance truck driver. My father worked long hours and did not have time to care for his children. My aunts, uncles, and other family members tried to help my father with raising his children, but the support my father need was support for his school age, young girls, a male son during the time he was at work during the day and at night. I was still in middle school when my father come to me and my youngest sister  and said that he could not care for use and keep us safe, that we would be going to live in a group home and would be able to receive the care we needed mentally,physically, and socially. My father went on to say that we will be able to go and spend time with my other sisters and brothers who were married or living on their own. My sister and I stayed in the group home until our 18th birthday. 

On December 19, 1977 I married my husband at the time I was 18 years old. Less than a year later my brother  one year older then I was murder by a police officer, going home from celebrating my sister  birthday at her home. November 19,1978, this was a dark and sad day for my family, the death of a son, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, ect…

I had a contrite heart which needed to be restored by God HImself. My sisters and brothers whom passed away Evelyn 2006, Kathryn 2007, James 2009, Robert Earl 2016, and my youngest sister Denise 2019

I am reminded of two scriptures: the “Prodigal son” Luke 15:11-33 and “No man can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other” Matthew 6:24.” It was death that made my soul cry out to God to rescue me, and He did. Not only did God rescue me from a world of darkness, sadness, and despair, He gave me a purpose in life that was alright inside my spirit. I will never forget when God first called me to ministry, I heard the calling but did not answer, until every door I

tried  to open, God closed each one of them. I eventually answered the calling of God that was in my life by doing my research and spoke with Deans of The School of Theology at Universities and Colleges. It became frustrating and took me many years to get to where I am today as a Licensed Hospice Aide and I am pursuing to become a Hospice Chaplain.

 I went to God have shown me that I have a gift of healing the broken heart through Him, the gift of showing compassion to mothers and fathers who feel alone and isolated in a world where very few people care about seniors  well-being. 

In 2004 the quality of life I was living was full of hopelessness and sadness. My son said to me you need to go to church and I decided to go to  . I joined Morning Star Baptist Church in 2005. I became a member on the Missionary board in 2009.  I joined the aspirants  ministry in 2015. I also joined the bereavement ministry in 2017, to enhance my ability to serve as a Hospice Aide and a Hospice Chaplain.

4. A description of your work (vocational) history.

It was the summer of 1978,  I was 19 years old that James and I decided to move to Baltimore Maryland and start our adventure through life as husband and wife. 

I will never forget that day when someone gave me a career list and asked me “Now Roberta you are 18 years old what do you want to do with your life.” In other words, that type of work I wanted to do. I knew that healthcare was the field I wanted to pursue. My very first job was in 1977 working in a medical center on Girard Avenue North Philadelphia, medical filing and cleaning officers. When I moved to Baltimore with my husband in 1978 I worked for a short period of time at Popeyes and other fast food restaurants. I started my career in Healthcare on April 14,1981, at The Belair Convalesarium, as a Geriatric Aide. Working with the Geriatric population in Healthcare enhanced my personality and skills. I wanted to aid and do more for the elderly and frail.

 After years and decades working as a Geriatric Aide, Nursing Aide, Nursing  Assistant, I attended North Shore Community College. I received an Associate Degree in Human Services. I continued my education at Salem State University, where I received my Bachelor Degree in Social Work. I have received my BSW License and  Hospice Aide License. I have held many positions over the 42 years of my working career and  experience: in the field of Healthcare and Human Services from case manager, counselor, Home Health Aide, Homemaker, and Hospice Aide.

On September 28,2020 I was hired as an Hospice Aide by Hebrew Senior Life (HSL). Unfortunately I had to step down from my position due to the increased numbers of patients contracting  COVID-19/Coronavirus during the pandemic and I am looking forward to returning to working at Hebrew Senior Life.

  

February 2014 to September 2019, I worked for Bayada Healthcare, as an Home Health Aide/ CNA. I provided personal care servicing, adults and elderly patients in their private homes, Nursing homes, and  Assisted Living homes, and Rehabilitation facilities. I also provided companionship to some of the patients I care for.

In 2013-2015 I worked for Best of Care Inc. as a CNA/ HomeMaker servicing  seniors and adults providing personal care, Homemaking service, and companionship. I also was able to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments and transportation to grocery stores, outdoors activities.

4. An account of a “helping incident” in which you were the person who provided    

           the help.

I can recall my very first visit with Mrs….  She was assigned to me by my supervisor at Bayada Healthcare Inc. doing my first visit with Mrs.… Very soft-spoken weighed about 110 pounds she said at the table in her kitchen and she was in a conversation with her daughter and her other caregiver she had a smile on her face that glow and light up the whole kitchen. She said to me the next day tell me about yourself and I did I told her I had two sons and four grandchildren, and that I attended church in Boston. And she said to me “I don’t believe in God, will you still be my friend?” I was surprised of the response and I didn’t know how to respond. I prayed silently, and then I responded yes I will be your friend. From that day forward I did not mention anything about God but I let her see God in deeds and action the compassion of care I served, in how I served each of her meals, how comforting I was as her companion. Everything that I did for her she was able to see God in me and I did not have to speak about God it was in my actions. Mrs….passed away, September 16,2019.

5. Your impressions of Clinical Pastoral Education.

Because my calling is to become a Hospice Chaplain I will need to gain knowledge and experience on an in deep leve the empathy process of serving seniors during their aging process, family members,caregivers, and friends during their grieving process.

My understanding of the Clinical Pastoral Education program(CPE). The CPE is a 2 two part program which will equip students who are pursuing their calling as chaplains with lectures and hands-on experience in order to serve seniors and their families who are having a difficult time doing the process of aging and dementia.

Moreover the information that I received from HSL stats: “Jewis Geriatric Chaplaincy Training, our curriculum addresses spiritual care as it relates to aging, illnesses of aging (including dementia), family caregivers, bioethical decision-making, dying, and bereavement. Special attention is given To cultural demographic diversity impacting and spiritual issues of older adults, including trauma-informed care, recognizing resilience,Working with patients with dementia, LGBT Identities, and being there and being “not religious.“ Students serve as chaplains interns on assigned HSL units, providing spiritual care to patients, family, and staff. Our Primary Lens is that of Jewish spiritual care students who wish to learn about spiritual care from the pet prospect of other religious/spiritual traditions are invited to make this one there.”

My Heavenly Father ordered my steps to HSL and opened my eyes, here is where I will study how to serve Him and His people/ children. The Jewish Geriatric Chaplaincy Education program there is a calling on my life from my Heavenly Father, God to achieve and serve Him and serve His children as a Hospice Chaplain.  

Get 15% discount on your first order with us
Use the following coupon
FIRST15

Order Now

personal statement

/in /by

Cover Letter / Personal Statement

Information needed: My goal is to become a social workers or counselor dealing with SA (substance abuse). Please review this assignment first and ask any questions ASAP

For this assignment, you will submit the second document to be included in your Professional Portfolio: Your personal statement or a cover letter. As you near completion of your undergraduate education, you have probably been reflecting on your personal and professional development and goals. Summarizing so much personal information on paper is not easy, but it’s important. Many employers complain that in interviews and job applications, students do not seem to know how to articulate the skills and strengths that they bring to the job.

In preparation for writing the personal statement/cover letter, review Dr. Margaret A. Lloyd’s Web site at:http://www.psywww.com/careers/index.htm.  Learn what you can do with your bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Determine if you will pursue graduate school or employment upon graduation. Note choices that seem to apply to you and why. If more than one, rank these choices. Describe any concerns you might have regarding your interests. What level of education will you need to pursue? Have you taken any previous courses or trained in this area? These links in particular should be helpful:

For this assignment, find a graduate program (if you are preparing your Professional Portfolio with the Graduate School focus) or a job opening that you would like to apply to (if you are preparing your Professional Portfolio with the Employment focus). Look up the details for the application requirements, and tailor your personal statement/cover letter to these specific graduate school/job requirements.

Personal Statement (for those with the Graduate School focus)

This essay may be the single most influential component of a graduate school application. The statement you write for this portfolio gives you a forum for presenting yourself to the admissions committee, scholarship committee, and others who want to know something about you.

In preparation for writing the statement, read the document “Preparing Personal Statements” at: http://www.creighton.edu/soar/preparingapps/statements/. Here are a few of their suggestions:

  • find and use your voice
  • use concrete examples of what you’ve done
  • avoid generalizations, such as “I’m good with people”
  • proofread and edit (and ask others to proofread and make suggestions about) your statement to be sure it is free of grammatical and typographical errors, and informal language, “I’m okay with sciences but weak in math”

Cover Letter (for those with the Employment focus)

A cover letter is a way to introduce yourself to a potential employer. This letter should include details about yourself and why you feel you are qualified for the position. Summarize your undergraduate experiences, your strengths and weaknesses, the reasons you are applying and how they will help you meet your professional goals.

Write a cover letter to a prospective employer. The letter, which should accompany your resume, should summarize why you are interested in the job and what qualifications and skills make you an ideal candidate or match for the position. Limit your letter to one page.

Follow this link for advice on writing a cover letter: http://www.uwec.edu/ORSP/IRB/about/submit/Cover-Letter.htm.

Submit your Personal Statement or Cover Letter to the Submissions Area  by the due date assigned. 

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria and Respective Point Value   Maximum Points    Presented a personal statement reflecting personal development and goals. Included specific examples of experience and achievement.
OR
Cover letter was clear and concise, while discussing undergraduate experiences, strengths and weaknesses, and reasons for applying to the selected job.  40    Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources, displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.  10    Total:  50

Get 15% discount on your first order with us
Use the following coupon
FIRST15

Order Now