Jennifer Tomina

Jennifer Tomina
Personal Interest Statement
November 18, 2011
 
             My name is Jennifer Tomina and I live the dream. For years I have envisioned myself studying social work as a profession. For years I have seen myself getting a degree which I will be utilizing in my every day professional realm.  The reasons cannot be counted of why I chose to study social work as a profession, but some can still be named.
            I chose social work as a profession because I became sick of just being a client receiving mental health services. I became tired of being constantly assisted by social workers and constantly going to appointments and constantly being involved at that end of the system. Basically, I had been assisted but I wanted to assist too. So, I chose to study social work.
            My career objectives with an MSW degree are limitless, bountiful, and basically abundant. There is so much that can be done with an MSW degree and there is so much that I want to do.  My first career objective with an MSW degree is to advance from the BSW degree so I can obtain higher positions than only being employed in positions such as case manager positions. 
            Another of my career objectives is to one day work in a mental health setting.  I would like to be a therapist one day down the line and again be able to assist others instead of always being assisted by others as I was in the past.  I hope to conduct individual and group therapy.  I hope to work in settings such as mental health facilities or institutions of higher education providing these types of therapies.
            A third objective would be to one day work in a school and also a hospital setting. I can truly see myself being a school social worker and assisting youth and I can see myself working in a hospital assisting the gravely ill and those needing the most support.  Obviously these career tracks will not be accomplished in the same time, but I feel that with the profession I am studying, that I can undoubtedly keep my options open.  It all starts with obtaining the mighty MSW in social work.
            I must say that my BSW education greatly prepared me for my intended field of practice.  In my education I was able to write comprehensive papers, and learn about social work ethics, and I was able to sign up for and take classes that taught me about social justice and oppression, about research, about practice methods, and about social work policy.
 In the classroom I learned so much and through my BSW education I learned a vast amount outside of the classroom as well. This is because I was able to obtain two remarkable and fulfilling internships. My first internship was at the Educational Opportunity Center on the campus of Wayne State University.  I was able to assist prospective college students in filling out online and paper admissions applications and also in filling out the FAFSA for students.  My other internship is currently at the Matrix Human Services Youth Assistance Program in Detroit, MI, where I assist with youth in danger of entering the juvenile justice system. At YAP, I assist with group counseling and tutoring.  In my BSW field education practicums I can say that I have learned to work with both the adult and children population and it gives me great pride to be able to admit this.
I conceptualize the practice of social work with client systems to be a practice dedicated to assisting individual clients and systems by using comprehensive, succinct, and reliable methods. In relation to methods, I conceptualize the practice of social work with client systems to be a practice that uses individualized methods for individual client systems.  I conceptualize methods being used which pertain to individual client systems and which do not always pertain uniformly to all clients.  I do not feel it is possible for a particular treatment method to be the answer for any and every client system.
            That being said, I conceptualize my personal interaction s with client systems to be based on who exactly I am working with.  If I am working with those with mental illness than I would hope to be utilizing methods of treatment related to those with mental illness. In a hospital I would utilize methods of treatment related to those with general and severe illnesses. In a school I would adopt methods implemented for students. I would use the methods that fit the population or populations which I was working with.
            My life experiences have had a hundred percent bearing on my potential for the social work profession. For seven years I have lived with a mental illness and for seven years of having this illness, I have not given up on my dream of finishing my education and I have not given up on being able to help others as I have been helped. . My potential for the social work profession has become that much more abundant for this reason.  If I had not had my life experiences, than I feel I would be less equipped to help those who are suffering.  My suffering in my life led to hope and I am sure my life experiences will lead to positive interactions in the employment realm.  Therefore, my experiences have had a positive bearing on my potential for the social work profession.
            My strengths for social work practice are that I will become employed having the ability to work with different client populations due to my internship experience.  My strengths are also that I will be able to assist others needing help as clients with precise expertise, and a strong and profound knowledge-base.  Finally, my strengths are that I have grown so much through studying social work and I know that I will gain strength in the ability of exceeding personal growth because social workers are always learning long after the classroom. My limitation for social work practice is that I may want to show overwhelming compassion but I must at the same time leave everything to be at a professional level as to maintain the client/social worker acceptable and professional relationship.
            I can clearly say that I have a large concern for social problems.  I see the sadness that this world is filled with.  I see that in 2011 there is so much suffering and I see that in years to come there will be suffering as well.  I know that so many social problems exist such as those of crime, poverty, and mental illness, and I am going into a profession where I will be able to assist others in ways such as helping people to not enter the criminal justice system, helping people  obtain food benefits and amenities such as housing vouchers, and helping people obtain the correct medications in order to stay healthy.
            My attitude towards people with different values, life styles, cultures, and/ or religious values of mine is an attitude of acceptance. I would never have studied social work in the first place if I did not have an attitude of acceptance.  People have individual minds and there is not always uniformity.  Not everyone has to agree with a person’s values, life styles, culture, and/or religion but I feel the least that can be done is to accept people for who they really and truly are and give the same acceptance that one would want for himself or herself.
            In describing my capacity to be self-critical and ability to benefit from the feedback of others, I can say my internship experiences have allowed me these moments.  In my internships I have become self-critical.  Also in my internships I have had to rely on feedback because I know I am at internship to learn and benefit from supervisor and other worker feedback.
            I also feel that my internships have given me the ability to think, learn, and work under pressure. I have had to meet deadlines at internship just like I will have to meet deadlines at my place of employment.  I have had pressures of entering case notes into paper and computer based systems and I know that as a social worker I will be doing this as well. That all being said, I truly believe my internships have given me the ability to work with others.  I have also worked with others in group projects in the classroom.
            I see myself coping with the demands of graduate studies at Wayne State University by setting aside adequate study time each and every day.  I see myself coping by making utmost use of the Purdy/Kresge graduate library. I see myself using the online library system to the fullest as well in obtaining articles. I also see myself working in more demanding internship facilities and I see myself asking questions whenever I do not understand any directions given to myself.
            My plans for financial my graduate education at Wayne State University are to fill out the FAFSA first and foremost.  I plan to take out needed loans. I also plan to apply for scholarships through the School of Social Work.
            I, Jennifer Tomina, needed to be accepted to the Bachelors in Social Work program and I was. I needed to study social work in hopes of assisting and not just being assisted and I am well on my way to being able to do so.  I now apply for acceptance into the Masters of Social Work program and I hopefully will be as one door will close while another waits patiently to be opened.  
           
 
               
 

• I have had experience in a mentorship role before.
• I have worked at three colleges/universities.
• I enjoy giving fellow students advice.
• I know how to “light the fire” under individuals.
• I have had experience working in groups of young adults.
• I know how to tell Freshmen students to not give up on themselves.
• I know I can use myself as a platform. My story can help others.

• A learning community is where students and others who are experiencing a desire to learn are able to grow and learn from others who have an innate desire to teach.  It is an environment where students are not judged, not criticized, not offended, and not harassed if the one teaching feels that the student has not “met their mark.”

• I know how to help on campus students for I live on campus myself.
• I have 103 credits which far exceeds the 40 earned credit hours minimum.
• I know how to maintain complete organization.
• I especially know how to relate to students.
• I stay positive, which is a needed skill for the position.
• I have worked with students, faculty, and administration with three different schools.
• I have given information about University Resources to students in the past.
• I have computer training which I received from Oakland Technical Center in 2001-2002.

Man, this is getting really destructive.  I am up sooo late, and I am not used to this, but I can't sleep because I am thinking too much of school.  I am so wishy washy and topsy turvy about where to go.  I got sick in July, and if that had not happened, I would be at Wayne right now, studying social work, which is my ultimate major in essence and opportunity alike.  I want to go to Wayne but ideas of going to Central or University of Michigan keep popping up and spinning around in my head.  I cannot believe I am such a school person, I must just admit that.  In high school I decided not to go to college and in my college writing class, I even went to the extent of writing a paper titled "College is not for me."  It is strange and unusual that I am such a college fanatic.  I must admit it, school is awesome.  Now if I could just make up my mind and stop college hopping.  I know Wayne has been given to me and if I take that chance, the world is mine, above all else, I will realize that Wayne truly is the best school in the country for my major.  The nation knows of Wayne State and if I graduate from there, my opportunities will be endless and I will know no limitations.  It is only I who can limit myself, and I have to jump out of the box, attend Wayne State and make it big..waay big.  I will end on this note:  I think journaling is sweet.

Plus One is the greatest Christian pop band that I have come to know.  I was just listeining to their song, but really searching for another one, which is called "Calling Down an Angel."  These are the lyrics:

You're afraid, it's all come down
to this place where dreams have fallen to the ground
just look up, you'll make it through
Cause there's a heavenly Being
That's watching over you

*Chorus*
Calling down an angel who
Will help you believe
Sending out a prayer
Down on my knees
Reaching up to heaven knowing
You will someday see
There's hope beyond the struggle
Just hold on
I'm calling down an angel

It's not too late
It's almost over
If you'll just wait you'll feel it lifting off your shoulder
So keep believing
The sun always promises a new day
It'll stop the rain
Break the chains
And chase the pain away

*Chorus*

You've been trying to be strong
You've been waiting for so long
Will your miracle ever come
Heaven's holding every single tear you cry
And if you start to feel alone just know that I am

*Chorus*

Now I will share a very personal and extremely emotional story, if I may..please read forward!

During the fall of 2004, my good friend Kelly died.  She was in a really bad car accident and I am pretty sure that the driver was speeding.  My friend Kelly was ejected from the car and died instantly.  She died the weekend before finals, on a Sunday.  I should mention that I talked to Kelly the day before she died, while I was at work at GVSU.  Anyways, Kelly's funeral was the first funeral I had ever been to, and I was 20 years at the time, and now am almost 25.  On my way back on campus, walking through the parking lot, I put in "Plus One" in my cd player, and started listening to "Calling Down an Angel" on repeat. 

I barely made it through finals week, but I made it out with a 2.9 gpa and I think it was thanks to Kelly's help, because I had written her a letter.  Kelly answered my prayer, and I know to this day, she is resting in peace with her dad.  I love you Kelly Vargo!!!  You will ALWAYS be my FRIEND!!!! 

I must just say that my first entry got deleted somehow.  I guess it was not okay to start off this journaling thing on such a negative and bad foot...so it's okay.  It is now 8:34 on a Sunday evening and I am in my basement writing.  I am so freakin bored and I understand that if you're bored then you are boring..so whatever..I Jennifer Tomina am boring..like I care lol..I just wish I had more of a social life goin on but what can you do?  It's not like I have a car and can see people as much as I want.  It's not like I am in school right now..and be in a fine atmosphere for friendship.  I am blessed that I attend church activities on Thursday nights, but to me, this is mainly the only friendship time I get out of the WHOLE week.  I had fun while goin to join my friend while she was babysitting, (and even more fun when the 5 year old greeted me by saying "Hi J.Lo"-old nickname lol..) but that is to the extent of time I get to spend in the outdoors of social utility.  I have no real life to speak of; I am basically just living, and dealing with the stress of it all.  I cannot believe these past 4 years. 

20 years old-it was almost R.I.P, Jennifer Tomina

21 years old-I became a college dropout, and remember that this happened on my 21st birthday.

22 years old-I attended Wayne State and had the only fun I was able to..Alternative Spring Break Detroit baby!!

23 years old-the most haunted and terrifying year of my life. 

24 years old in the present day-I have finally decided to write once again in a journal out of misery in my days.

soon to be 25..I only pray that I make it!!!