Statement of Educational and Career Goals 1.

Experience, background and/or relationships that have influenced your selection of social work as your professional career(family, education, employment, diversity experience, volunteer involvements, and personal characteristics, etc.). Family and striving for balance in ones life are very important aspects of the Navajo culture and I was introduced to these concepts at a young age. The events in my life have brought me to a place where I feel a strong aspiration and sense of obligation to contribute to efforts that involve Navajo culture revitalization and building healthy communities. Thus far, I have had the wonderful opportunity in my personal, professional, and educational e periences to engage with and learn from various individuals whose life paths reflect a commitment to human service in varying capacities. !f these e periences I feel that my desire to pursue a career in "ocial #or$ was a result of my family. %y helping my mother care for my younger siblings, helping my grandparents, and participating in various cultural activities I learned the valuable teaching of caring for others. Furthermore, in becoming a mother and wife this $nowledge base of compassion, respect, patience, and responsibility intensified as I became accountable for the well being of my two daughters and my husband. &oreover, in providing for my family I have had the rewarding e perience of wor$ing with organizations that made it their mission to serve Native 'merican populations. #hile at Native 'mericans for (ommunity 'ction )N'('* and Native 'merican "tudent "ervices )N'""* I was able to connect the Native 'merican population and the general public with the services at these two organizations. Interacting with clients involved compassion and respect as they disclosed very personal information regarding their situations+ I felt content in $nowing that I was able to assist families and individuals with

information that would impact their lives in a positive way, whether this was writing them a referral for a food bo , getting them signed up for mental health counseling, or just simply listening to the circumstances they were dealing with. &y educational journey has also been a $ey factor in my decision to pursue "ocial #or$ as my professional career. #ith each class that I have ta$en for my 'pplied Indigenous "tudies degree and a minor in "ocial #or$, I feel even more passionate about contributing to building resilient communities. In being at N'- I have also had the chance to volunteer within the Flagstaff area and within my own community as well which has helped in e panding my understanding of the importance of diversity, a vital characteristic of "ocial #or$. 's a student at N'- I have learned about the various social problems and health disparities prevalent in Indigenous communities of the "outhwest, but most importantly I have also learned about the various strengths of these communities. #ith that being said, my education has thus far enhanced my $nowledge of Indigenous history, current issues, and how Indigenous communities can move forward into the future. In conclusion, my personal, wor$, and educational e periences have amplified my desire to see$ a professional career in the field of "ocial #or$ for the benefit of current and future Native 'merican communities.

. !our understanding of the responsibilities of the social work profession and specifically the role and responsibilities that you wish to be able to assume as a professional social worker. The "ocial #or$ profession re.uires a dedication to human service. %y human service is meant a passion to help others and to help improve the .uality of life of others.

%eing in this type of profession re.uires a responsibility to be sensitive to the variety of circumstances uni.ue to each individual while advocating on behalf of vulnerable populations. This profession re.uires a responsibility to engage in the strategic thin$ing process in individual and group settings. To be able to find fulfillment in $nowing that your impacted your community or the life of an individual in a positive way is also a responsibility. 's a professional social wor$er I wish to be able to utilize the s$ills and $nowledge ac.uired as a result of my education and life e periences to impact communities in a positive way. I wish to be in a position to effectively advocate on behalf of vulnerable populations. I want to be able to interact with people to empower people so they can become self0sufficient. I want to be able to be in a position to be influential in policy ma$ing and implementing, evaluating, and managing effective programs that are sensitive to the needs of those in need. In conclusion, through my introduction to the dynamics of social wor$ through N'-, I have come to realize that it is also the responsibility of social wor$ers to be able to thin$ critically, communicate effectively, and engage in leadership opportunities so that programs will succeed.

". #easons for selecting the program at $%& %chool of %ocial 'ork and thoughts on how the (ission %tatement addresses your career goals. I have selected the program at '"- because I believe that it is the best choice to help build my capacity to ta$e a more active role in creating social change in my community. I have also heard very positive comments from students who have graduated from '"- with a &asters of "ocial #or$ as well as from people who are familiar with

the program. In ta$ing a more active role in creating positive social change in my community, I feel the goals outlined in the &ission "tatement will help me build the leadership capacity to do just that. I $new the program was a fit for me when I read that the program emphasizes leadership, history of oppressed groups, conducting effective research, program evaluation, influencing policy, with an emphasis on groups of the "outhwest. I am confident that the '"- "chool of "ocial #or$ is right for me and I appreciate the opportunity to apply for this uni.ue opportunity. Than$ 2ou.