How to answer “why I want to be a social worker” in your personal statement
If you are applying to the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, you likely need to write a personal statement as part of the application process. The vast majority of Schools of Social Work ask applicants to discuss what motivates them to become a social worker.
In this article, we will be discussing how to discuss your motivations for becoming a social worker in a strategic way.
What admissions committees are looking for
MSW admissions committees are looking for applicants to demonstrate a combination of the following:
· Evidence of critical thinking and analytical abilities
· Potential to contribute to the field in a meaningful way
Admissions committees are looking for applicants to show that they have thought through their decision to become a social worker. They want you to have a strong understanding of social work theories and ethical values, and that you have a strong mission that is guiding your decision to apply to the Master of Social Work program.
With that in mind, when it comes to answering “why I want to be a social worker” in your personal statement, it’s crucial that you answer in a manner that demonstrates your critical thinking skills and potential to contribute to the social work field.
Avoid saying you want to “help people” in your personal statement
One of my biggest pet peeves is when MSW applicants say that they want to become a social worker “because they want to help people”.
Why? Because it’s boooooring. It doesn’t tell the reader anything interesting about you, why you’re unique, and how you’ll stand out as a social worker and contribute to the field in a meaningful way.
It doesn’t even tell the admissions committee why you want to pursue social work. If your goal is to help people, why not become a nurse, doctor, or lawyer? There are many professions that help people.
Finally, it’s something that so many people say in their personal statement, and it doesn’t stand out.
How to write an impactful personal statement
When writing your personal statement it’s important to dig deeper to show admissions committee’s why you would be a great fit for the program. Here are some examples of what to say instead:
Solve a social justice problem connected to your experience
Think about your past experiences. What problems or barriers did you notice, and why did that motivate you to become a social worker?
Example: “In my past role, I noticed (a problem), so I want to become a social worker so that (I can solve that problem).”
Be specific about how you’ll contribute to the field
It’s important to be specific about who you will help as a social worker, and how.
Example: “I want to become a social worker so that I can become a therapist on the children’s mental health team at my local hospital and (work towards solving said social justice problem).”
The MSW Personal Statement Template was designed to help you dig deeper and reflect on your experiences and identify how you’ll contribute to the field in a meaningful way.
Work in a different capacity
You may also want to discuss how an MSW will allow you to work with clients in a different capacity. This is especially true if you have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), as a BSW gives you the capacity to do a lot of the same work as someone with an MSW.
Example: “I want to become a social worker so that I can not only make a difference on an individual level, but also commit to social justice at the macro level”.
If you have a BSW or you work with clients in some capacity, you’ll want to think about how an MSW will allow you to work with clients or pursue social justice in a different capacity.
Be aligned with social work values
Finally, schools of social work are looking for applicants to show their alignment with social work values.
Example: “As a clinical MSW, I’ll learn the skills I need to become a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and social-justice oriented therapist”
If you are applying to your Master of Social Work be sure to review the NASW Code of Ethics (if you are in the US.) and the CASW Code of Ethics (if you are located in Canada).
You can also get a copy of the free social work buzzword checklist to get some inspiration for showing your alignment with social work values.
Create a personal statement mission statement
Finally, I often recommend that applicants create a mission statement, or elevator pitch, when writing their MSW Personal statement.
An elevator pitch is a short statement that tells the reader everything they need to know about your application, and serves as an anchor for your personal statement.
To create a personal statement, you’ll want to summarize your goal as a social worker, and why you’re the right person to pursue that goal in a concise manner.
Example MSW personal statement mission statement: “Because of my (experience), I am confident that I will be an asset to the Master of Social Work Program and to the field as a whole because (of the social justice problem an MSW will allow you to solve).”
There are many ways to write a mission statement that captures the reader's attention and helps your personal statement stand out. In the MSW Personal Statement Writing Workshop, you’ll learn how to create an impactful mission statement for your personal statement.
You should include your mission statement at the beginning of your personal statement so that the reader gets an idea of what you will be talking about, and you should re-iterate it at the end of your personal statement to leave them off with a summary of why you’re unique and how you will contribute to the field.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when writing your personal statement for the Master of Social Work program you must demonstrate your critical thinking skills and potential contribution to the field. When it comes to answering questions about why you want to be a social worker you can demonstrate why you would be an asset to the program by digging deeper than saying you simply want to help people, and by creating a strong mission statement to anchor your personal statement.
If you are applying to your Master of Social Work check out this 30-minute training on writing a personal statement that stands out.
