The motivation behind my goal of becoming a Master's level social worker has changed several times since I was a child. As a three year old, it was important for me to sit my stuffed animals up so they could "breathe".

During middle school, I protected my "weaker" classmates from bullies, During high school, I discovered there were political groups that shared my ideals of inclusion and compassion. As a young adult, I was active in those groups, focusing on the empowerment of women and people of color. I also began to realize how rigid my beliefs had become and how angry I felt at everyday injustice. At each stage, I simply wanted to help.

My first volunteer job was at the Dallas County Rape Crisis Center in 1989. The experience of supporting rape survivors both in the emergency room and on the phone helped me realize I did not have the power to protect people from violence, oppression, or even from themselves. I learned there is value in simply being present with people who are in pain. Although I have worked with many populations since then, I may never resolve the issue of how much I can actually help a person. I know, however, that to be an effective social worker, I must offer clients the same respect that I expect society to extend. I can offer clients tools and resources, but I must let them make their own choices. That is true empowerment.

As a volunteer and intern, I have worked with people who have been raped, Vietnam veterans with psychiatric disabilities, nursing home residents, and Texas Rehabilitation Commission clients. As a paid employee, I have worked with people with head injuries and women considering abortion. As a Family Place client of two years, I have stabilized my own life as an abuse survivor and single parent. These experiences together have helped me realize how rich and valuable even the most painful experiences can be and that humans are, by nature, extraordinarily resilient and adaptable.

I am currently developing a curriculum for the UT Southwestern Rehabilitation Center Personal and Social Adjustment group. As a facilitator, I offer tools clients can use to improve and enrich their lives. I look forward to continuing similar work with groups. Groups are powerful because clients can share their stories and experience peer support that both comforts and challenges them.

I will graduate from UT Southwestern this August with a B.S. in Rehabilitation Science and a 4.0 GPA. I will begin my M.S. in Social Work coursework at UT Arlington this fall, who's mission statement echoes my belief that social workers must be prepared to practice in a culturally, racially, and socioeconomically diverse society.

My motivation for becoming a Masters level social worker has, in a sense, come full circle. Instead of protecting or changing people, I think it is of more value that I assist in supporting and "sifting clients up" so they can catch their breath, look around, and get a sense of where they are and where they want to go next. Focusing on what I can change in the world, instead of what I cannot change, keeps me energized. After I complete my education, I look forward to developing both personally and professionally throughout my career.