MSW Personal Purpose US Military Mexican American

Daughter of Immigrant parents studying to apply to MSW programs, dressed in her US Army uniform with Mexican flag in background.

I am a bilingual English/Spanish American woman, born in San Antonio to Mexican immigrant parents. At 36, I have over 13 years of experience in the US Navy. Alongside my military career, I have pursued my passion for social work, where I truly find fulfillment. This is why U__ is my top choice for graduate study, as it offers the world's leading MSW program for those interested in military issues and how social work can support those who serve our country. I aspire to be the first in my family to pursue a Master’s Degree; attending U__ would be a significant honor due to the program's admirable diversity and commitment to empowering minorities through higher education.

As a military member, I have traveled to over 15 countries, which has deepened my appreciation for diverse people, cultures, colors, and social classes, each contributing uniquely to our world. I've witnessed the impact of a helping hand, a listening ear, and the right guidance and inspiration. My years as a Career Counselor have allowed me to mentor numerous junior sailors, helping them achieve their professional and personal goals.

My professional identity is rooted in areas fundamental to social work. I have volunteered at homeless shelters, battered women’s shelters, Boys and Girls Clubs, and assisted in Special Education classes at elementary schools. I also interned as a volunteer for Project AIDS and Cancer. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, the only major US city with a Hispanic majority, taught me much about the diverse Latino community in America.

My training is inspired by the poverty I experienced as a child and adolescent in a low-income immigrant neighborhood. This background fuels my interest in researching at-risk youth/adolescents and how the military can provide educational and professional opportunities, as it did for me. My main professional goal is to become a licensed social worker on active duty or with the Department of Defense, supporting military families. I am committed to addressing the disparity between opportunities available to those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those from wealthier ones. I want to help young people find their inner strength, fostering self-confidence, assurance, and worth to escape inner-city challenges.

I believe I have much to contribute to social work, partly because I was once an at-risk teenager. A teacher's genuine concern helped me turn my life around, and she became my role model. I strive to be empathetic and understanding, offering a listening ear and helping hand to those in need. As a Navy career counselor, I supported individuals and families, and their gratitude inspires me to do more. My life experiences have taught me to be non-judgmental with a sincere desire to help others. I understand the cycle of poverty, having been a high school dropout involved with gangs and partying, but I also know the power of change. I joined Job Corps, earned my GED, and became a licensed Dental Assistant. After my first child was born, I joined the Navy and earned my Associates and Bachelor's Degrees while on active duty.

Many social workers come from backgrounds of violence, abuse, and neglect. I believe this can be an asset, enabling us to connect with youth facing similar challenges. I have volunteered at the California Youth Authority, working with young girls to help them escape dangerous situations and move toward brighter futures. I also volunteer at a Battered Women's Shelter and seize every opportunity to work with children. My dream is to open a free clinic with other social workers to guide at-risk teens, especially young mothers, toward employment and education.

I want to create workshops for building self-esteem and independence. Everyone needs someone to talk to, and I love being that confidant for young people. In the near future, I aim to focus on studying separation anxiety among children and adolescents with parents serving in the US Military. This has been a personal challenge for me as a soldier, and I hope to use my experience to help others cope with this pain.

Thank you for considering my application to your program.

MSW Personal Purpose US Military Mexican American