Goal Statement - MSW

Master of Social Work (MSW), School of Social Work and Human Services

Michelle L. Pavlick

Personal and Professional Goals

I am interested in earning my Masters of Social Work in the School of Social Work and Human Services to gain the necessary skills and experience to advocate and promote positive social change within my community.

One of my personal goals is to influence a change in their perceptions of social and individual issues; leading them to positively change their future and the futures of others. A professional goal of mine is to become a licensed professional working within the community to foster continued education, growth, and change for the future in a diverse and multicultural world.

One of my first goals is to develop a practical and necessary program designed specifically for public school bus drivers. The program will focus on delivering important information surrounding mental health in our school systems, current policies, and findings of recent data collected from other schools, parents, students, and staff regarding school bus driver training, mental illness as well as their personal opinions surrounding these matters. The program will also include training to increase individual interpersonal skills so drivers can effectively implement a variety of behavioral interventions designed specifically to increase positive behavior while decreasing undesired behavior based on the students’ personality, knowledge, and age.

I also plan to develop a youth program designed to increase students’ critical thinking skills, social skills, and goal planning skills. This program will focus on student ideas, talents, and passions and how these can be strengthened or developed for their future success in life. This program will be designed for a variety of ages; meeting with specific age groups throughout the week. Students will develop the necessary skills required for continued success in a multicultural and diverse world. Students will have the opportunity near the end of the program to work hands-on with local business owners in the students’ field of interest in effort to gain a greater sense of knowledge and required skills to turn their passions into successful business ventures.

The greatest influencing factors for choosing the field of social work were Walden’s admissions advisors and my own research in the field of social work. My interests, passions, and talents span across a variety of fields. I wanted to find a degree program that would help me identify myself to others as a knowledgeable and respected professional; licensed to assist, teach, guide, and advise others in a variety of struggles with life issues. Influencing positive social change in the community is essential, as the community is quickly expanding; becoming exposed to a variety of cultural and lifestyle differences. Using my background and experiences to create positive social change is also an important factor in obtaining my Master in Social Work degree.

Academic Experience

November 2009, as a birthday present to myself, I began my educational journey in effort to gain knowledge and understanding of mental illness as well as learn how I could positively influence my immediate family; all of whom were diagnosed with a variety of mental illnesses. As I started this journey, my husband was displaced from the home for treatment. Our daughter was hospitalized for attempted suicide; later placed in temporary foster care while I learned the best ways to repair our broken home as well as the underlying issues leading to the break. As the only income wage earner in the family caring for our young son, I knew I had to fully dedicate myself to my education; in effort to become an example for my children as a reason to strive for continued growth, improvement, and success throughout their lives.

I gained strength and a renewed sense of dedication in my educational journey as I maintained a 3.85 grade point average upon earning my Associate of Arts degree in Psychology in 2011. During those first two years of my education, my family and I were pushed beyond our limits and boundaries, as we were under tremendous and constant stress, anxiety, worry, and fear. I found out just how strong my family really is as individuals and as a whole. During those two years, I pushed myself further than I ever thought imaginable. As I shared my personal experiences of life’s struggles with my classmates, I learned I exposed a rare and different perception of those struggles than most; effectively influencing a positive change in my classmates’ perceptions of life. I not only increased my knowledge of mental illness but I was also forced to personally experience all the challenges associated with mental illness - inheritance of family dysfunction, and the difficulty in breaking the cycle of abuse. Experiencing one family crisis after another (broken family system, homelessness, revealing of sexual abuse, physical abuse, substance abuse, and more), I realized those experiences are invaluable to my future to influence positive social change.

As I became more aware of my influences on other individuals in my daily life, I was more determined to continue my education in psychology; pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. I began to discover my influential and persuasive power during my continued education; leading my family on a memorable life altering experience of personal change and growth. With renewed strength and belief in each other, we sold everything and moved south to Georgia. The experience of facing our fears led us on a journey of increased self-confidence, strength, and perseverance to overcome any future challenges we may face as individuals and as a family. I learned how valuable and influential family is to individual growth and change as we immersed ourselves in a new, unknown diverse multicultural environment.

Upon earning my Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree from the University of Phoenix, School of Social Sciences May 2014, I was the only individual in my graduating class to earn recognition as honors graduate and becoming a Tau Upsilon Alpha Honor Society member. My education combined with my personal experiences has greatly influenced my ability to continue to pursue excellence professionally as well as academically. This recognition in my dedication to education has influenced my desire and ability to continue to meet and maintain the highest ethical standards and personal achievement throughout my life. My education, experiences, and perception will enhance and strengthen my ability to assist others during their life struggles. As a recognized individual for overcoming the challenges I faced while continuing my education, my Master of Social Work degree at the School of Social Work and Human Services at Walden University will enhance and strengthen my abilities as a professional in the community.

Research Experience

The focus of my research experience during my education was dedicated to a greater understanding of human behavior in a variety of social and individual areas throughout the lifespan. My research experience during my education focused on the various contributing factors in individual development; including physical, emotional, cognitive, and sexual development as well as the continuous development of personality. I relied on various trusted sources for my research; such as journals, periodicals, recognized knowledgeable scholars, field studies and reviews, opinion and fact based articles deemed reliable and true as well as personal knowledge and direct experience.

My research focused on the various individual direct and indirect factors and variables which may or may not contribute to the development of individual characteristics and traits that make individuals unique throughout their lifespan. I began to understand how historical events as well as cultural and social beliefs contribute to individual development. Historical events also greatly contributed to the development of psychology as an independent system.

Focusing my research on individual development, learning, growth, and change throughout the lifespan assisted me in discovering various theories and processes which can either inhibit or initiate the cycle of abuse in family systems. Throughout my educational research, I remained dedicated to understanding the cycle of abuse; learning and developing various factors that can contribute to the cycle of abuse. The various factors and influences that contribute to abuse can also be used to contribute to breaking the abuse cycle in the family system, depending on individual perceptions and responses based on knowledge and understanding.

As I sought a deeper understanding of human behavior, I learned the importance of perception and the ability of that particular perception, at that moment in time, combined with personal and social beliefs, values, and experiences, may alter the human psyche for many years into the future. Through my extensive research, I developed a deeper understanding of human behavior as well as a greater appreciation for the vast, and often challenging learning experiences that shaped me into who I am today. Ultimately, the discovery of unknown experiences of the past should be compared and perceived in a variety of contexts to promote a greater understanding toward influencing and determining positive change in the future.

My extensive research as well as personal experiences led me to conclude that perception, rather than direct or indirect variables, provide a greater influence to either breaking the cycle or continuing the abuse cycle in the family system. I strongly believe change is possible when one seeks the darkest and most hidden areas of the unconscious; revealing a greater understanding of the needs required for positive and long lasting individual changes lasting well into the future.

Work/Other Experience

When I began working at the local school district as a school bus driver in 2009, I never imagined the changes that would come when I first began driving bus temporarily. My goal was to find a permanent job working in a position I was experienced in such as clerical office work and customer service. As the economy worsened, I found it increasingly difficult to maintain stable employment and soon found myself returning to driving school bus without a plan for my future. As I began developing connections with the students, I found myself giving them advice about the importance of maintaining good grades, staying in school, graduating, and continuing their education. I often used my life as an example and reason to increase their knowledge with continued education although I never continued my own education after high school.

Upon realizing I should take my own advice and become a better role model for the students I was advising, I decided to make a change and take charge of my future. My family was falling apart and the only given cause was mental illness. With my birthday quickly approaching and a family in crisis; my daughter was hospitalized and my husband was in treatment, I had no idea how I could help mend my broken family. So, I decided to give myself and my family the greatest gift – I enrolled at the University of Phoenix online program studying psychology. I began my educational journey first to learn how I can help my family and second to become a role model for my students I advised daily.

As I excelled in both my job and school, my family was falling apart. I shared my personal struggles and life experiences in my classes; virtually living what I was learning. I applied what I learned in both my personal life and professional life. Living through one crisis after another, I was emotionally and physically pushed to my limits. Nearly every part of my life went through an overhaul, a change.

I began to excel in my position as a school bus driver; setting rules and expectations for my students as well as consequences for unacceptable behavior. Students respected me, trusted me, and came to me for advice on problems in school and at home. Most would tell me of their changes they made and how those changes and experiences positively influenced their relationships with others; developing a new found desire to increase their knowledge and build a positive outlook for their future. Coworkers and school staff began noticing dramatic positive changes occurring with my students and those they interacted with daily.

Personal Qualities

My mother was a huge influence in the development of my personal qualities. She encouraged me when my step-father tried to break my confidence. My mother was my greatest supporter in my search of myself. My childhood was filled with chaos, stress, fear, and anger daily. The rigid expectations of my step-father combined with the free loving spirit from my mother allowed me to develop my own set of values and beliefs. I was unaware of how my personality would develop as a result of these experiences until I reached adolescence. I became the caretaker of everyone in the household; the scapegoat when they refused to accept decisions gone wrong; supporter in times of need for nearly everyone who sought my assistance. I became responsible when I should have been exploring life as a maturing individual.

As a child, I somehow developed a relationship of trust in an unknown existence of God. As a result, I strengthened my intuition by trusting in the unknown I somehow ‘felt’ or ‘knew’ without fact or evidence of proof. Throughout my life, I have managed to remain strong during times I felt the weakest; relying only on an unknown, unseen God who would protect me daily from harm. I learned early in life that I can develop and make plans for my future but those plans may shift and change, resulting in the possibility of never those plans to never occur because experiences influence my development, changing the plans for the future.

In my forty years of life, the most influencing factor in my development has been developing a trust and belief in the unknown and my own intuition. When I listen to my intuition, life seems to open up. When I ignore my intuition, life becomes much more challenging; forcing me to learn something valuable from a painful experience. The most difficult, yet most valuable experiences are those in which force a change in personal beliefs and values; such as those associated with trust, acceptance, regret, fear, or the unknown.

Why Walden

Upon graduating from University of Phoenix, school of social sciences, I took the advice of my academic counselor and decided to research various programs and schools I found interesting in effort to locate the best program and university to assist me in reaching my goals. I was unsure of which program I wanted to focus on because I have a variety of interests; such as writing, helping others, working with children, and counseling or giving advice. Walden University impressed me with the variety of programs, credentials, and accreditations. The alumni at Walden strive to meet the highest standards possible; leading the way in social changes around the world.

Walden University challenges and recognizes students who are committed to learning and making an impact in the lives of others. Walden University is committed to providing the most forward-thinking programs, residencies, and activities that support the needs of the changing workforce industry. Walden strives to provide a learning environment centered on the students needs for success; providing a variety of resources, services, and tools aiding student success. Walden University is the college that can help me reach my goals for impacting social change throughout my community.