Career Goal Statement

The Admission Committee considers your Career Goals Statement to be an essential part of your application. While factors such as cumulative grade point average and social work-related experience are important, your rationale for entering the social work profession, your self-awareness, creativity, critical thinking and writing skills are major factors committee members consider when reviewing your application. Respond openly and honestly to each section.

The average statement length is approximately five pages; submissions exceeding seven pages are discouraged. Please double-space your statement, use a font size of no less than 12, and put your name in the upper right corner of each page.

• Answer questions 1-5.
• Answering question 6 is optional.

Prior to writing your essay,

QUESTIONS:

1. RATIONALE

Identify significant factors that influenced your decision to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and how you intend to use it in the future. (1-2 paragraphs)

2. SOCIAL WORK VALUES AND ETHICS

Describe your understanding of the social work profession and its core values. Compare your own values with the professional social work values, any potential value based or ethical conflicts you might experience and how you plan to address or reconcile these conflicts (whether it be in the classroom, in field, in future practice or in any other areas). (1 page)

3. PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES AND LIABILITIES

Describe any cultural, economic or social challenges and/or opportunities that have provided you with a unique perspective about social work issues. What insights have you gained from these experiences about how to maintain professional judgment and performance during times of distress? (1 page)

4. EMPLOYMENT AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES

Discuss the relationship between your educational, employment and volunteer experiences and what qualities equip you for the social work profession. Describe your experiences and feelings about working with populations different from your own. (1 page)

5. WORK LIFE BALANCE

Explain your plan for managing your graduate education. Consider how you will balance work, family and other responsibilities with the required courses, homework and internship responsibilities. (2-3 paragraphs)

6. OPTIONAL

Please address any special academic or other considerations that you would like GSSW to consider in the review of your application.