“My Dream Career:” A poem by MSW student Michael Barnes

My Dream Career
A poem about social work

When I grow up, I’ll make a change
Developing a career seemed easy to arrange
At the age of five I told my mom that I wanted to be a lawyer
Unknowingly, I had reflected what my parents thought would be a dream employer
It wasn’t until college that I found out
What real world problems and issues are all about
That’s when I met my first social worker and with great amaze
I discovered that social work was for me, not in the future, but that day!
So I researched the profession and my knowledge bank grew
So large that I decided to begin school again and take classes anew
Graduate courses that taught me the history, skills, and know-how of the job
Knowledge that would allow for my clients to slam-dunk my motivational lob
Although I’m in my final semester of graduate school and my decision to pursue social work was way back when
I stand unblemished, as my career has allowed innumerable individuals, groups, and families to win.

Michael Barnes will graduate in May 2015 with his MSW from the FSU College of Social Work. He is a graduate research assistant and is interested in providing therapy and advocacy to veterans experiencing readjustment and stability issues that lead to homelessness.

Originally published in The New Social Worker magazine. Available online at: http://www.socialworker.com/extras/social-work-month-2015/my-dream-career-poem-social-work/.