The Journey of social worker

This journey of coming to Canada and becoming a student at Faculty of Social Work at University of Calgary till now when I am almost there to spread my wing and embark on another journey had been a great experience. It has been a wonderful journey, full of excitement, joy, stress, tears, happiness, and all other emotions in between. During this process, I have met amazing people, have added some more people to my photo album. I have had the opportunity to experience amazing events and so many first times such as my first presentation, my first class discussion, preparing for presentation with everyone, and my first the most challenging paper. I started studying in 2011 while full time employed. I enrolled in three courses in September and started to worry about how am I going to do all this? My whole summer I spent thinking and worrying about studies and courses. My professor Margaret Williams gave me the best advice and I decided to drop two courses and go only with one. After I was done with one successfully, I embarked on two more courses in the next semester. When I let go of my employment, I decided that this was the best option in order to complete my practicum and the rest of the course requirements. My presentation, class and paper submission anxiety has decreased. I felt less pressure and I had more time to complete my papers. I chose education versus employment, which was the toughest decision in my life. I hope that my MSW degree will give me better chances for employment in near future. It has been worthwhile journey so far. With each course I started to transform, to suck up the knowledge, the inspiring teachers and classmates. I discovered my personal self, and I was thrilled that I took time to go back to school. During my two years in MSW program, I have been exploring my own biases, past experiences and oppression. I never think about myself as a privileged person before. I am even more motivated to assist those who are under structural oppression and marginalization on all levels. I know how it is to feel alone, how it is to live on social assistance and not being employed. I deeply believe that "person-in- the environment perspective recognized the impact of societal systems such as natural support network and the formal structures within communities that may enhance or inhibit social wellbeing." (CASW, 2008, p.2) While in school, I recognized my leadership and collaborative skills enhancing, holistic approach and anti-oppressive lens. I am comfortable speaking publicly

more than before my MSW program, and to take initiative. Learning was enhanced by self-determination, compassion and self-confidence. I participate in many initiatives and programs now that are part of social justice, human rights. I have always had a big passion for people, their problems and concerns, and now that human part is greater with compassion to make change. Now, I am in April 2013, almost at the end! I am proud to announce that I gained an employment with AHS as a Mental Health Therapist. I am excited, nervous as expectations are high. My classmates are all excited for me and telling me I deserved it. I think that without their help, and the knowledge we all shared in the class I would not be successful. I am even more passionate and inspired to continue to perform clinical interventions as well as advanced research and policy development in the area of mental health. Scope of Social Work is to facilitate the "social well-being" and "social functioning" of the "person-in-environment". Social functioning refers to the way people perform their social roles and the way societies provide structural supports to help them preform their roles." (CASW, 2008, p. 2) The person-in-environment domain gives social work a common organizing framework and holistic context for its mission and vision. The global vision of social work is a world consistently working toward social justice and well-being for all citizens. The central mission is to have social workers engaged in activities that will improve social well-being structures and enhance individual, family and community social functioning at local, national and international levels." (CASW, 2008, p. 2)