Social Work is a diverse sector that requires a lot of resilience and compassion. We asked some of our Social Work students what motivated them to want to become social workers.
Maya: I am passionate about helping and supporting people, and I believe that with my social work experience and academic learning, I can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. My experience working with children and families has deepened my eagerness to understand their needs more fully, so I can support them with the knowledge and skills I have developed and have a positive impact on their lives.
Having faced a difficult childhood, I believe my own life experiences enable me to empathise deeply with children and families facing adversities. My personal experiences as a child have also given me insight into how issues like family breakdown and abuse can have a detrimental impact on children’s emotional and physical wellbeing. These lived experiences have strengthened my desire to become a good, compassionate social worker.
Sonia: Working in the care sector, I have witnessed first-hand the disadvantages that people face. I have also experienced the positive impact that social workers can have in a person’s life. It is almost inevitable that an individual has or will experience a social worker in their life whether directly or indirectly. This realisation challenged my perception of social workers and sparked a curiosity in me about social work.
Once I am qualified, I will be a second-generation social worker, following in the footsteps of my mother who studied social work at university in her 40s. This was inspiring for me to witness. This also gave me the courage to pursue my Master’s in Social Work. My knowledge of social work has developed whilst studying, furthering my understanding that while social work is important in working with the most vulnerable in our society, it is also about fostering positive influences in politics, education and beyond.
Social Work at BCU
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Kofi: I have always been keen to support people, especially people diagnosed or dealing with mental health conditions. Initially I decided to go down the path of becoming a therapist. However, having the opportunity to volunteer at a mental health charity and shadowing a social worker convinced me to become a social worker instead. This was further solidified through my personal experiences dealing with social workers as one of my friends had a social worker who was very nice and supportive. Together, the experiences led to a decision I do not regret as I see myself as someone who, with the right amount of knowledge, skills and expertise, will also be able to have a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals in society.
James: I chose to become a social worker because of my experience as a person with several disabilities. I have witnessed first-hand the disadvantages that marginalised communities can face day-to-day. These experiences have driven me to want to make a meaningful impact on people's lives and their wider communities – and I believe becoming a social worker will help me achieve this. I have previously done some voluntary work at Sue Ryder and Literacy Pirates. Both roles helped me develop my empathy for others, as I got to see and understand their challenges. The experiences helped me understand how important it is to work holistically with others.
I also feel like I better understand why equity and social justice are important values to have. I saw how each group could contribute and learn despite the difficulties they faced, which inspired me to assist them in any way I could. My volunteer work combined with my own experiences has given me insight into how a person may be impacted by several factors, helping me to understand how their physical and mental wellbeing has been affected. This has made me more determined to help others in the future.