EXPERIENCE IS KEY by LYNAE

EXPERIENCE IS KEY by LYNAE - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

I recently returned to school last fall deciding to purse my Masters in Social Work. I was hesitant since I had been out of the classroom for several years. As I sat in new student orientation, I attempted to assess how I fell amongst my peers in age. Though I was much older than the majority of them, there were also several students older than me. I quickly began to question why I waited so long to get this degree, and whether it was worth my time. By week three of the semester, I had my answer. It was during a foundation class as I learned about individual therapy that it hit me. I was one of the only students that had questions or gave answers during classroom discussion. A few weeks later I realized this was happening in all of my classes. Though many of my classmates had undergraduate degrees in Social Work and I did not, but what I did have was professional and life experience.

Though many young students decide to go directly to graduate school after college due to not being ready for the workforce, fear, financial reasons, or wanting to just"get it over with," gaining experience before pursuing a graduate or professional degree is my recommendation. Having been a mother, gone through financial struggles, joined the military, and worked with at-risk populations as a civilian I gained more practical knowledge to bring to the field of Social Work. This was more knowledge than I could ever gain from four semesters in graduate school. In addition, I have gained more of an appreciation for the education I am receiving and have a more professional focus than many of my younger classmates; many of whom are just hoping to land a job after graduation.

As we approach graduation season, many students are looking for jobs, and hoping that their extra curricular involvement and good grades lands them their dream job. The reality is that employers often require a degree, but they want experience. Whether it be part-time or summer employment, or an internship or volunteer experience, I recommend all students get experience the field in which they plan to pursue employment after college.