Kerry Kennedy Life Is Good Scholarship

I am pursuing Social Work as my career of choice. Ever since I became old enough to think about my future, I knew I wanted a career where I could work with people and help people, though, at the time I truly believed such as job did not exist. Yes, there was nursing, but I didn't want to limit myself to the healthcare field. I was also considering teaching, however, similar to nursing, there is not much flexibility with that career either. I wanted something that encompassed everything you could find in nursing and teaching. That's when I found Social Work. When I first heard of Social Work, my thoughts were of a job where annoying government employees went to harass families and tried to get them separated. However, this was all before I started doing research and began meeting and reaching out to actual social workers, one of whom I am still in contact with today. Her name is StanVonna Gaulden, and if it were not for her guidance and encouragement to learn more, I would not have known nearly as much as I do about Social Work. I have such an appreciation for social workers now, as they can be some of the most hard-working, caring helpers in the world. After learning all this, I decided Social Work was the career for me, and that there would be a plethora of opportunities for me in this field. Through Social Work, I hope to gain quantities of knowledge, skills and experience needed for me to be given a problem, come up with solutions to those problems, and carry out those solutions. In the distant future, I plan on running for a position in politics, and hopefully, with my experience in social work, I would be well-equipped to help a wide variety of people and their issues and or needs perhaps with this skill, I would apply this to helping a larger scale of people and their needs. While I am grateful to have found a clear career path and a sense of purpose now, getting here was far from a straightforward journey. The COVID-19 pandemic hit during my transition from middle school to high school, and it changed everything. Suddenly, I found myself spending a lot of time alone, with plenty of time to reflect. I grappled with self-doubt and uncertainty. I had this burning desire to make a difference in people's lives, but I had no idea how to turn that desire into a concrete plan. This period also forced me to confront my shyness head-on, realizing that it was holding me back from personal growth and development after looking back at all the missed opportunities in elementary and middle school, all due to me being too hesitant to act. Out of that difficult period, however, something beautiful emerged. I decided to embark on a journey of self-improvement. I worked to boost my self-confidence, pushed myself out of my comfort zone, and actively sought experiences that would broaden my horizons. This transformative process led me to the profound realization that Social Work was my true calling, the path that aligned perfectly with my desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. In reflecting on my journey, I've come to appreciate that challenges are not roadblocks, but rather growth opportunities. The trials of the COVID-19 pandemic taught me resilience, self-discovery, and the power of determination, and through this experience, I found my calling in Social Work. I look forward to contributing meaningfully to the field of Social Work and touching the lives of those in need.