Personal Interest Statement

Angela R.
Gillis
As a child I lived in a very impoverished area of Detroit, the Cass Corridor. I was raised by my grandparents who, despite their own deficits, lived by one rule which was to always help those less fortunate than yourself. My grandmother was born in North Carolina in 1922, four days later her mother passed away from complications of child birth. This traumatized my grandmother her entire life. My grandfather was born in Mexico in 1907. He came to the United States alone when he was a teenager. He joined, served and was wounded in the Army. They married and had a family at a time when their union was frowned upon. Their son, my father, became drug addicted and spent most of his teen and early adult life in prison. He was killed at the age of 25. Despite the fact that neither of my grandparents were educated past the third grade, they worked hard and provided for their family. When I was born to teenage, drug addicted parents my grandmother knew the importance of providing a stable home with a mother and father for me.
During my childhood, my grandparents ran an emergency shelter for battered woman and children. It was a place for woman to retreat to when they found themselves unable to stay in their homes due to violence or other unbearable circumstances. The woman were assisted by Social Workers who aided them with finding permanent shelter, job training and placement, assistance with food and school for their children. I was always fascinated by the assistance the woman received from the social workers and the kindness and concern my grandparents showed to these woman at a time when they may have been afraid, isolated and distraught. As I grew older, my grandparents operated a group home where we lived with sixteen developmentally disabled adults.
Angela R. Gillis
Throughout my childhood, my grandparents taught me to help others. I was taught to see people for who they were inside not for what they appeared to be because of poverty or drug addiction or race, religion or ethnicity. Every holiday I helped assemble and distribute food baskets. I also helped deliver meals to people who were in need. As I grew into an adult I came to appreciate everything my childhood had taught me. I have found that regardless of what job I held, I always migrated back to the positions that allowed me to assist others. Through my work at Services to Enhance Potential and Livonia Public Schools I realized that I possessed a strong desire to gain the education necessary to be more effective. I continue to find myself in a position where I am able to provide assistance and comfort to people through my work at Beaumont Hospital. I speak to dozens of people on a daily basis that are experiencing trauma whether it be health issues of their own or concerns over a family member or friend.
I believe that the profession of social work is necessary to understand the relationship between people and the various roles they play in a number of systems within their worlds and how each of these roles and systems affect the persons mental, physical, social and emotion health. Keeping these systems balanced is sometimes challenging and social workers provide the guidance to allow these intricate systems to in exist in harmony
Several years ago I decided that I wanted to return to school and obtain a social work degree because it enabled me to incorporate everything I had been taught and everything I had experienced throughout my life. After much thought, I realized that I had been fortunate enough to have true social workers as examples. I realized that my entire life I had been shown that the most rewarding career was one that allowed you to help people. By obtaining my MSW I wish to continue this tradition. It is my hope to aid families through work as a school or medical social
Angela R. Gillis
worker. I am currently in a field work placement at a school in the same neighborhood I attended high school in. I am able to work with children under the supervision of a Masters level Social Worker who provides her expertise and is teaching me how to incorporate the lessons from my classroom experience at Wayne State into actual professional experience. It continues to be an enlightening and educational experience. It is my desire to continue this process throughout a Masters program.
My strengths include first-hand knowledge of being in a family that experienced racial issues, drug addiction, alcoholism and adoption. I also feel that being exposed to examples of caring, volunteering and charity work have added to my strengths as a person and human being. My values allow me to view others as people and appreciate their differences. I am able to work well with people because of my life experiences, my work experiences, and my age. I have learned to listen to what others are saying, to consider a different point of view and appreciate feedback whether it be positive or negative. I am able to withstand pressure and remain calm and focused because I was often in situations as a child that were stressful, and because I have raised children of my own.
I have found that relaxation and personal time is very important. I plan on handling the pressures of graduate school by continuing to be organized with my studies. I also plan to continue making time to do the things that provide healthy mental status such as spending time with my family, practicing yoga, exercising and meditating. I will continue to work and save as much money as possible to cover the expenses of graduate schools. I will explore the possibility of scholarship programs and may have to utilize government loans.
Angela R. Gillis

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