Pursuing a Legacy by Deborah

Pursuing a Legacy by Deborah - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

In Ghana West Africa, there are no government systems or aids to support vulnerable children. So when my maternal grandmother stumbled upon a child in crisis, she would obtain their parents’ consent to foster that child for as long as necessary–expecting nothing in return. My grandmother frequently dealt with poverty, struggling to find food and stable housing. Yet she managed to uphold a household based on faith, a fervent pursuit towards education, and generosity. With these values, my grandmother sponsored college degrees and offered promising futures for her four daughters and numerous foster children. Since my grandmother’s passing, her daughters have continued her legacy in fostering children with these same values– my mother in the United States and my aunts in Ghana. Witnessing my grandmother’s legacy through my aunts and mother has inspired me to make this same impact on underprivileged children through a career in social work.
The social work profession supports the well-being of those in need through best-practice methods. Social workers strive to build clients’ strengths and resilience by offering them support and resources to improve their futures. The social work profession resonates with my own professional aspiration of giving back to underprivileged children through my career. My next big educational goal is to pursue a master degree in social work. In attending graduate school, it will allow me to train in the profession through relevant courses and internship experience. I will also obtain a Master of Social Work and licensure in order to practice in this field. Receiving a graduate education will help me obtain the critical experience necessary for my career in social work.
I am confident that becoming a social worker will allow me to give back to society by implementing practices to support marginalized children. In receiving a master degree I will not only be able to practice in this field, but also learn how to be an effective social worker. This includes learning necessary skill sets, developing clinical expertise, and advancing my professional competence to greater assist the children in society. In the end, obtaining a master degree will advance my abilities in giving back to society in my future.
I look forward to continuing my education to better serve others, especially vulnerable children. A graduate education in social work will provide me with the professional skills to draw upon the inspiration of my grandmother’s legacy and grant me the ability to give back to society throughout my career in social work.