Description
he purpose of this assignment is to assess how a social work student’s personal history can impact them as a professional – both positively and negatively.
Many of us have stories of our own, of suffering or difficulty that prompted us to pursue social
work as a profession. These experiences can present both valuable assets and challenging
obstacles. It is essential that we can cultivate a habit of self-reflection, so we can process those
experiences and manage our own values, attitudes, beliefs, biases, emotions that may be
connected to those experience and serve our client’s best interests. We must achieve a level of
healing before we can capably serve others as a helper.
This process of self-reflection and self-correction is key to developing as a professional. In fact,
this is so essential that the Council on Social Work Education has identified professional and
ethical behavior as one of the nine core competencies for every social worker. Your willingness
to engage in a continual process of seeking and incorporating feedback into your own growth
process is essential. This ensures that clients are served well and is critical for ethical practice.
Please do not hesitate to discuss these matters with our faculty or inquire about available
resources. Our goal as a department is to help each of our students develop as a whole person to
be the best social worker they can be. You will find that this journey of growth continues
throughout the social work program and one’s career.
INSTRUCTIONS
For this assignment, you will consider how a fictional student’s personal history could enhance
her effectiveness as a social worker, and how it also can create challenges. You also will reflect
on your own history. Be assured that the purpose of this exercise is to facilitate reflection so
feedback and resources can be provided to assist students in their growth journey.
1) Review the materials in the course module regarding ACEs. Also be sure to review both
videos:
Video: A Word on 5 Domains of Professionalism
Video: How Do Our Stories Impact Us as Professionals?
2) Read Case Scenario–Mia and What’s In the ACEs Quiz?
3) Complete the ACES quiz as if you were Mia and calculate her ACES score.
4) Write a 1000-word response to Mia’s case, responding to the following prompts. Your
paper should be in APA format, with an appropriate title page. No additional references
outside course materials are necessary. Include the headings listed below. Be sure to
demonstrate concepts from the readings.
