Personal Learning Goals

Amber Thomas
Education
Throughout the duration of my undergraduate, my experiences and knowledge gained
over the years has shaped me into a better social worker. The NASW Code of ethics has been
applied to the field as well as my life. Specifically the competency 4.02 discrimination from the
NASW Code of Ethics helped me reflect on my own personal bias, values, and beliefs. I
remember thinking that I would never help certain groups of people like child abusers. Everyone
is entitled to receive help or assistance. My personal beliefs and/or bias should not affect the way
I treat a client. After a number of social work classes, I learned that an individuals upbringing
and environment influences an adults behavior. Sometimes child abusers or any criminal are
simply reciprocating learned behavior. As a social worker, it is my job to assist this population to
the best of my ability, no matter what their background is.
What I enjoyed the most from my undergraduate years was group discussion. Social work
group discussion is completely different from group discussion in regular courses. During these
moments, the entire class talked about feelings, opinions, and action steps to resolving a
problem. I took advantage of classroom discussion and group discussion by receiving
constructive criticism and/or feedback.
Future Goals
Essentially, I see myself entering the field of macro social work. I plan on creating and
developing programs in the community. I plan on to explore being a school counselor or working

amongst juvenile delinquents so I can gain firsthand knowledge and experience of working with
adolescents and youth. My long term goals include entering the fields of research and politics.
Personally, I feel there is not enough social workers in these positions because if there were the
economy would reflect positive results. I want to make change on a bigger scale to affect plenty
of people in addition to improving the lives and reversing injustice on vulnerable populations.