Pain into Purpose by August

Pain into Purpose by August - November 2023 Scholarship Essay

My name is August and this is the story of why I want to become a social worker and by what means I plan to do so. To become a social worker, originally I wanted to study psychology, but I later found out that I could do a Social Work bachelor’s degree at a different school. I switched schools for that and some other reasons. I chose this degree path because it means that I can immediately become a social worker after getting my bachelor’s degree. I plan to eventually work towards a master's degree, of course, but it’s comforting to know that I could get a job in my desired field after earning my undergraduate degree.
As I looked for the perfect career path for me, I looked towards meaningful events in my life. In my first semester of college, I ended up in a psychiatric unit of a hospital where I met my first social worker. She helped me and my family tremendously throughout my psychiatric stay. During subsequent visits to that same hospital, I saw that same social worker who worked my case diligently and helped me find placement in partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and even a residential facility. I ended up going to the hospital a total of thirteen times in over nine different hospitals, one PHP, and two residential programs. This meant that I met several social workers. My last hospital stay which ended in July of 2023 was where I met an amazing social worker who encouraged me, gave me aid, and comfort during my time at the psychiatric hospital. When I finally left to come home, I decided then and there that I would become a social worker. The amazing people that I met throughout my upsetting hospitalizations led me to my dream career.
Later, I realized that my favorite part of having been a Certified Nursing Assistant was getting to know the patients, talking to them, and helping their families through the difficult process. I’m now convinced of what I want to do which was a troubling road to come to. It was hard to find what I wanted to do with my life, but I’m sure of it now.
My dream job is to work in a pediatric psychiatric unit in a hospital. One, I have a special place in my heart for the patients and the families of those patients. Two, my passion also lies in helping children. I am currently volunteering with two organizations to help with children. I’ve fallen in love with each little life I can aid. Hopefully, the intersection between my fervor for psychiatric patients and children will yield a rewarding career for myself.
Because of my struggles, I hope that I will be a steady, unwavering, understanding resource to these children and their families.
The major adversity that I will face and have faced on this career/college journey is my mental health. I’m currently working on it with my therapist and psychiatrist, but I relapse every so often. This is when I must go into the hospital for a stent. It’s frustrating. It’s holding me hostage. It’s holding me back. However, I will not let it win. I will work on my mental health continuously so that I can become the great social worker that I want to become. I will work on it so that I can help others. I will work on it, so that I am no longer a hostage to my faults, but rather have it become an asset to my future career.
I tell you all these things to further my point of why I want to go to college. Without a degree, I cannot achieve these goals. Without a degree, I stay put. Without a degree, my pain does not become a purpose. Without a degree, my help towards others is limited. I know this all seems a bit cliche, but it’s the bare bones truth.