Wonderful to hear from you and so glad this job is going well! Best of luck on the home search. I have family who work in social work and after hearing their experience I also wish social workers were more educated on the historical context of why social work is important and necessary. However, I do believe that most folks are generally looking for a job vs a cause to support. I wish there was a happy medium because I think even folks who haven’t joined this field for the same social justice context as you should still be able to work in a mind frame that supports better social health.
Hi Vi. I’m glad you are well! Congrats on your new role. It sounds really interesting. And I get your internal conflict with feeling like “my job is to work at a school that feels segregated but not to advocate for integration of the students I work with”. I find that Social Work is filled with these interesting contradictions. We learn one thing in school, but once we first enter the ‘real world’ we have to work within structures and systems that currently exists; and not these ‘perfect’ dream systems. Ofcourse the goal is always to make a bit of change along the way; but typically that’s further along in our careers once we get more tenure. It’s very interesting. Also, good luck with the bells for the kitties! That’s a good idea because I also accidentally step on my cat a night, not knowing he’s there 😅
Hi Gabby! Social work surely is about tons of contradictions -- and it's also about not getting locked into that black and white thinking that we try to address in our individual clients, right? I'm learning to find peace and satisfaction with where I am while holding onto a bigger vision for things.
Wonderful to hear from you and so glad this job is going well! Best of luck on the home search.
I have family who work in social work and after hearing their experience I also wish social workers were more educated on the historical context of why social work is important and necessary. However, I do believe that most folks are generally looking for a job vs a cause to support. I wish there was a happy medium because I think even folks who haven’t joined this field for the same social justice context as you should still be able to work in a mind frame that supports better social health.
Hi Vi. I’m glad you are well! Congrats on your new role. It sounds really interesting. And I get your internal conflict with feeling like “my job is to work at a school that feels segregated but not to advocate for integration of the students I work with”. I find that Social Work is filled with these interesting contradictions. We learn one thing in school, but once we first enter the ‘real world’ we have to work within structures and systems that currently exists; and not these ‘perfect’ dream systems. Ofcourse the goal is always to make a bit of change along the way; but typically that’s further along in our careers once we get more tenure. It’s very interesting. Also, good luck with the bells for the kitties! That’s a good idea because I also accidentally step on my cat a night, not knowing he’s there 😅
Hi Gabby! Social work surely is about tons of contradictions -- and it's also about not getting locked into that black and white thinking that we try to address in our individual clients, right? I'm learning to find peace and satisfaction with where I am while holding onto a bigger vision for things.