I am a 27 year old man of Armenian heritage now living in Los Angeles. I was born and raised in Armenia and lived there until I was 19 when I moved to the United States. I am applying to the Masters of Social Work Program at XXU because of the excellence of its program and its convenient location.

I spent a year in India studying English when I was 15 years old. I subsequently graduated from the Humanitarian College of Foreign Languages in Armenia as a business translator. On arrival in the United States, I completed an Intensive English Program at Evans Community Adult School and graduated from Los Angeles Community College in 2008. In the spring of this year, I will have completed my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. By becoming a social worker, it is my sincere hope that I might be able to help many young people entirely avoid entering the criminal justice system as a result of receiving the care and direction that they need, especially those boys that are raised in at-risk families.

I have participated in several community outreach programs since my arrival in the United States.   I have also undertaken substantial volunteer translation for members of the Armenian and Russian communities. I feel that the strongest aspect of my application is my experience with these two communities since I will be able to develop a special interest in these two important immigrant communities, doing research on their behalf and becoming a professional investigator and social work practitioner in the service of both of these immigrant communities,

 The time that I have spent in India and that spent in the multi-cultural environment of Los Angeles has exposed me to many different cultures. This has enabled me to understand the need for cultural awareness and sensitivity in dealing with others and I believe that these life experiences are extremely relevant to the program for which I am now applying.

I am a hard-working, calm, thoughtful, independent and caring person who relates well to others and feel that assisting people in the area of social work is not merely a career choice but my vocation in life. I am aware that I have been fortunate in my own life and have a very real desire

to help those who have not been blessed with such advantages.  I also believe that my studies in the area of criminal justice are relevant to this program and provide a good foundation for a Master’s Degree in social work and may be of direct help to clients in my future work.

I am particularly interested in research, and subsequent work, related to helping troubled young people who are not attending school regularly and are involved in deviant behavior such as petty crime and substance abuse.  My interest in doing this kind of work was fired when I met such young people in the several outreach programs in which I have assisted.  I am certain that I possess the empathy and the personal qualities required to be effective in helping underprivileged young people and young single parents to see possibilities beyond their immediate situations and to help them find ways to enable them to fulfill their potential. 

I am determined to spend my future assisting others as a professional social worker and feel strongly that the program for which I am applying is the best means of reaching my goal of helping others and of assisting society in general. I am a compassionate and very hard working young man who is very dedicated to his studies and his career. I assure you that I will give my all to your program and I want to thank you for consideration of my application.