ABSTRACT
In the first narrative, Vanessa Correa introduces herself as a Chicana, Mexican-American woman and tells her story through her decision to become a social worker and study the field of theory and practice. She is motivated by her passion for social justice in the practice area of community mental health. Vanessa tells about her early life and how these experiences have shaped and continue to influence her identity. She reflects upon her evolving identity, describing the ambiguities and complexities as she pieces together intersections of cultural consciousness, family background, social location, environment and social conditions in the wider society. As her short story reveals, these elements seemed to create tensions, yet there were driving forces and some luck which moved her towards higher education, fuelling her desire to enter graduate work in this field. Self-reflecting allows to assess and re-assess one's own abilities, perceptions and skills. Vanessa realizes that this process of self-reflection exists on a continuum and is evolutionary.
