Yes, I Truly Do Want To Be A Social Worker | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Yes, I Truly Do Want To Be A Social Worker

If I can be a person that positively changes a life for even just one person, then this is exactly what I want to do with my life.

76
Yes, I Truly Do Want To Be A Social Worker
Unsplash

As the end of college approaches and I'm starting to fill out applications for grad school, the thought of the real world and all of its responsibilities is imminent. It's around the time of the year when you see relatives and friends from high school that you may not talk to often and they ask the dreaded question, "what are you going to do after college?"

To this question, I always reply that I want to be a social worker. People's reactions usually consist of a head tilt to one side, a look of curiosity, and the question, "why? Don't you know that you'll be burned out before your life has even really started?" Sometimes you can even get the sympathetic head nod and them saying, "oh, that's nice," if they're not trying to offend you but don't necessarily agree with what you're saying. To be honest, I'm not sure which reaction is worse.

I had a great childhood growing up, but that doesn't mean there were definitely rough patches I experienced that most kids may not. My heart aches with the idea of what the lives of other kids might be like: kids who are neglected by their parents, children who are beaten in their foster homes, or kids that are bounces around throughout the system that they're not even sure which way is up or what is right. If I can be a person that changes a life like that for even just one person, then I want to. I also want to be helpful to people who are abused by their partners and need someone to talk to, someone to help them escape their abuser, and be the reason that they are living a better life.

I've seen my friends struggle through many things. Eating disorders, depression, anxiety, OCD, self-harm, etc. I myself have had a share fair of these struggles, too. What makes me happy is when my friends come to me for help because they know they can trust me. It brightens my day when they say that they know they can depend on me. And I'm the happiest when I see my friends getting better and living better lives, and loving themselves the way I love them.

Do I worry about burnout? Of course. But I also believe that I will wake up and go to work and truly love what I do. And if I can be happy with that, then I don't see myself crashing and burning before I'm 35.

What I want to be when I grow up is an emotional superhero. I want people to trust me and depend on me. I want to know I've made lives better. I hope that I can have clients and help them realize their potential and their worth. I don't care about money—the value of my work would be seeing improvements in people who thought they might be at a dead end with no other options. It may be cliché and naïve, but I truly want to change the world. If other people could love themselves the way I love them, then the world would be a better place.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181847
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8680
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453512
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23915
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments