Over the course of the past two years being a student at the University of Washingtons

School of Social Work has changed my life, shaped my perspective and the way I interact with
those around me. This started with my first Social Welfare course, Social Welfare 200 from
Autumn 2012. I took this course after I wrote a story about the School of Social Work ranking #3
for The Daily. After learning more about their programs and seeing how welcoming the staff
members were, I was intrigued to take the introduction course to the major. My artifact is the
advertisement for the documentary, "Unnatural Causes...is inequality making us sick?" After we
watched it in class I knew then that I wanted to apply for the major. What caught my attention in
the documentary was how numerous factors and lack of access to resources have a huge impact
on life outcomes, such as the life span. Like the documentary, I wanted to learn further through a
systems perspective that holistically looks at people and inequities that shape everyday life.
Once I was admitted into the program, my development continued in courses such as
Social Welfare 310: Social Welfare Practice and Social Welfare 404: Cultural Diversity/Justice.
The skills courses helped me develop my skills as a practitioner from interviewing skills, to
engaging in communities and facilitating groups. In addition, program components such as
Intergroup Dialogue have challenged the ways I have been socialized and have deepened my
understanding of my social identities. I am gracious for the cohort model and being surrounded
by people who share similar values and experiences to me.
Through Social Welfare 465 and reflecting on my field placements quarterly, I have been
able to critically reflect on my areas of strength and areas I would like to continue growth. I
would like to continue growing in ethical conflicts and being able to identify components to
consider before a dilemma does arise. As I continue working in social service fields, Id like to
be more intentional and mindful of using my human behavior and social environment knowledge

when working with clients. Through my field placement at Communities in Schools for Roxhill
Elementary School and College Access Now (CAN), I have been able to strengthen my skills as
a professional social worker that critically looks at models for inclusion and ways to enhance
programs through observing needs. My practices in IGD have supported the ways in which I
engage diversity in practice. Outside of the classroom, I have practiced evidence-based research
with professors and at my practicum site. As well, over the course of a year at CAN I have
learned to manage a caseload of 130 to 76 students.
I initially came into the BASW program planning on utilizing the holistic lens that social
workers use to work in education as a teacher. This includes using psychology, policy, sociology
and biology. After two years of the program, I have realized I want to create social change as a
social worker and want to continue the valuable training I have received. I will be attending
Washington University in St. Louis MSW advanced-standing program this August. Through
this next step, I hope to deepen my understanding of different types of research, program
development and develop administrative skills. I plan to stay current on my areas of interest as a
Civic and Community Engagement MSW Research Fellow for the Gephardt Institute of Public
Service, through joining community organizations active in intergroup dialogue and partaking in
St. Louis K-12 School District. Once out of school, Id like to stay current through going abroad
and widening my perspective and staying active in the community through IGD, volunteering
and youth groups.
Thanks to the UW School of Social Work, I can leave the program proud to say I am a
critical thinker, researcher, dialoguer, consulter, social worker and better human being. I will be
leaving with a deeper understanding of how to nurture individuals identities and how to best
meet the needs of those I serve. As I continue on in my education as a social worker, I am

particular mindful in utilizing strengths perspective and systems theory to empower clients and
to gain a holistic picture of the individual. I plan to continue on in groups and organizations that
utilize intergroup dialogue to further my perspective as a practicing social worker. As a
researcher, I plan to further my evidence-based practice skills for best practices. Most
importantly as I move forward, I carry with me the intentionality of practicing mindfulness,
empathy and relationship building, meeting my clients where they are and stopping myself as I
climb the ladder of assumptions.