My decision to pursue a degree in social work was deeply rooted in personal and community experiences. Growing up in a low-income, culturally diverse neighborhood, I witnessed firsthand the struggles families faced due to a lack of access to quality mental health care, housing, and educational support. These challenges weren’t abstract to me but they were part of daily life. I often stepped into support roles: helping translate for Spanish-speaking neighbors, comforting classmates dealing with difficult home situations, or accompanying a friend to a guidance counselor when they didn’t feel safe speaking alone. Over time, I realized that what I was doing was aligned with the values and responsibilities of the social work profession. It became clear that social work wasn’t just a career, it was a calling. Initially, I thought my role would be strictly school-based, working with children experiencing behavioral and academic difficulties. I envisioned myself helping students cope with trauma, navigate systemic barriers, and feel empowered in their potential. However, my understanding of social work has broadened and evolved since entering my BSW program and completing my practicum at a Title I elementary school. I’ve come to see how interconnected social issues are and how food insecurity affects school attendance, how housing instability leads to frequent relocations and emotional stress, and how language barriers isolate non-English-speaking families from critical services. These realizations have helped me shift from a narrow focus on one population to embracing a more holistic, systems-based approach to social change. During my internship, I worked with a diverse group of students, many of whom faced chronic absenteeism, emotional dysregulation, and academic setbacks tied to unmet basic needs. Through home visits, group interventions, and collaboration with school staff, I understood social workers' role as advocates, connectors, and policy translators. This experience deepened my commitment to the field and pushed me to think more critically about the structural inequities affecting communities like the one I grew up in. Looking ahead, I plan to continue serving youth and families in underserved communities particularly BIPOC, immigrants, or experiencing poverty. I hope to work in school or healthcare settings where I can advocate for culturally competent mental health services, inclusive policies, and preventative care. My goal is to support individuals in crisis and push for systemic change that addresses the root causes of inequality. I want to be the bridge between institutions and the people they serve—someone who ensures that no one is left behind simply because they didn’t know where to go for help or couldn’t navigate the bureaucracy. Giving back to my community means staying grounded in the lived realities of those I serve, continuously educating myself, and using my platform to elevate marginalized voices. Whether I’m running a social-emotional group for children, organizing resource fairs for immigrant families, or advocating for more inclusive school policies, I want my work to reflect the belief that everyone deserves dignity, access, and opportunity.