The Human Service Professionals code of ethics is used as a guide to help professionals when they are faced with ethical dilemmas. Therefore the standard regarding to the commitment and value of lifelong learning which is under the section entitled ‘Responsibility to Self’ states that, “Human service professionals hold a commitment to lifelong learning and continually advance their knowledge and skills to serve clients more effectively.” This standard relates to me because I am currently a human services major committed to earning my Bachelor’s degree in order to work in the field. The courses that I have taken thus far have provided me with the knowledge and tools that I need to be prepared to work as a Human Service professional. Through my numerous internship placements I have advanced in my knowledge about my population of interest as well as my skills though process recording, family strength assessments, and workshop facilitations.
The areas that I would like to grow and develop in as a Human Service professional is being more knowledgeable about different ethnic groups. In the Human Service profession there are clients from different ethnic backgrounds that require some form of assistance. Therefore it is essential to understand and appreciate different cultures perspectives and strengths. By acquiring more knowledge about various cultures I will be able to better assist my clients, build rapport, and establish a relationship with them which in turn will make the helping process run smoothly. In addition, being knowledgeable about different agencies that provide assistance to children will help me with the referral process so that I can still meet the needs of my clients.
In closing, after I have obtained my Bachelor’s degree, the graduate school programs that I have been considering are NYU, Hunter, and Baruch College to pursue my Master in Social Work. I have not taken the time to sit down and fully research any of the three colleges because after I earn my Bachelor’s degree I plan on taken a break to work for at least six months in order to gain experience in the field. There are some jobs that offer to help pay for part of your school tuition which would be ideal for me being that two out of my three school option (NYU and Barauch) are known for being very expensive. I have also considered Adelphi College because it is known as one of the best schools for Social Work however the commute would be overwhelming for me as well as the tuition. I have not made up my mind yet but when I do I will pick the college that meets my financial budget.
