Many of us working in social work experience some form of distress and pain, either directly or indirectly. I am no exception. However, the essence of social work lies in not remaining in our painful states but in shifting our focus to others, empathizing with their struggles, and striving to address their issues. Throughout my childhood, I was deeply curious about whether humans can change, whether families can transform, and what influences familial conflict.
These inspired me to study Theology and English language and literature during my undergraduate program (https://www.yonsei.ac.kr/en_sc/index.jsp), as these fields explore human nature, and society in depth. This experience broadened my worldview and enhanced my ability to empathize with people from diverse backgrounds. In college years, I was able to see the profound impact of social inequality in the society, leading me to participate in different organizations. I served as a co-leader of the female student council in our department, where we collaborated to create an inclusive environment for everyone, including students across all degrees, staff, and janitors. Simultaneously, I worked as a Sunday school teacher and wanted to be a protective factor for children, engaging with children and organizing monthly leisure activities and programs. It was during my ‘Introduction to Child Welfare’ course that I developed a strong interest in learning more about interventions in cases of family violence.
I was drawn to social work because of its real-life implications and the tangible impacts it can create for children and families—a field that demands significant responsibility. While I value the power of imagination in envisioning a better world, I wanted to go beyond that and actively engage in creating meaningful change through rigorous research and genuine interactions with people.
Although I have a strong appreciation for Sociology and its theoretical rigor, I was captivated by Social Work as an applied social science. This aligns with the historical perspective of “Hull-House being for women sociologists what the University of Chicago was for men sociologists,” where “men were in an ‘ivory tower’ while women were at the forefront of change and challenge” (Deegan, M. J., 2017, Jane Addams and the Men of the Chicago School, 1892-1918).
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