Each student will write a senior essay. Failure to submit a final essay will result in an automatic course final grade level drop.
The purpose of the Senior Essay is to give students an opportunity to reflect on their academic preparation for entrance into the social work field as a BSW practitioner or on to graduate school. This essay is an opportunity to sit back, reflect on who they were when they started this journey in their undergrad studies; and then as a student who entered the SW 303 Generalist class; and again, upon applying and being accepted to be a social work major. They consider the journey as they honed their skills and increased knowledge and planned for Field. And now, as the student exits social work courses, it is an important time to reflect.
Whether it all began here at Avila as a first-year student or as a transfer student, many changes have no doubt occurred over the course of being educated. This assignment encourages students to examine and write on each of the following areas as part of a closure exercise.
Directions: Write a reflection essay answering the following questions. This should be written in narrative format. Do not just write the number and respond…put your answers in essay form. You should include answers to all questions.
Content:
Where/Who were you when you began your social work education?
When you began your social work education what was the level of your knowledge, your skills, your understanding of feminism, social justice, strengths perspective?
What was the degree of your understanding of social problems and societal responses to those problems?
What is your current level of knowledge/skills, understanding of feminism, social justice, strengths perspective, social problems/societal responses?
Compare and contrast where you started with where you are now.
What prompted you to decide on the field of social work?
Has that reason remained the same or changed in any way?
Are you still interested in doing the same things you thought you wanted to do, or has that changed?
What will be your strengths in the dimensions of practice (K, S, V, CA) as you enter the field as a professional or as a graduate student?
What areas will you need to monitor/continue your education in so that you continue to increase your competencies?
What types of lifelong learning activities do you anticipate participating in?
What are at least three significant achievements you can identify related to your academic experience at Avila?
Have you been satisfied with your choice of Avila’s Social Work Program?
What have been the disappointments in your education?
What have been the strengths?
In your opinion, how did faculty in social work in adjusting to circumstances related to the pandemic and the impact on your education?
What suggestions would you make to improve the BSW Program?
Reflect on what it means to you, to your family/significant support circles, your future that you are graduating with a Social Work degree.
What is the personal/emotional value of this degree for you?
Any other comments that you want to include in this essay.
Conclude your essay with a vision statement for yourself for the next year.
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