Feb
14
A Social Work Intern Perspective
Filed Under Mentor Blog
(posted by MSW Intern, Shoshana)
My work with “The Lab” has evolved greatly with shifts, stalls, and movement that I could not have anticipated. I went from questioning my capacity to do this work, a stage they call “reality confrontation” in social work jargon, to feeling in my “comfort zone” and often excited for my next day with the kids. I have assumed full leadership of the poetry groups during this second semester, an experience that’s afforded me many more learning opportunities, such as managing group dynamics and individual behaviors while engaging the participants and offering some healing…
My current struggles include having a small group in terms of participants, creating new material for veteran lab members, and coping with my own emotions in working with sometimes resistant youth. I have experienced great triumphs in pushing past my original hesitancy and building rapport with individual clients. These strengthened connections have been an entry for discussion of more meaningful material, establishing goals, and contracting.
I am learning to own my role, as a social worker in a school setting, and this has allowed for my integration into the Highland Park Jr. High PAS program. I am contributing something valuable to the program and, in turn, feel a sense of fulfillment at the end of my days there. I’ve grown fond of many students, and I continually listen for the messages below the surface of resistance and negative behaviors, the suffering in harsh tones, feeling the power of their unveiled talents, believing their truth, and working to never forget it.
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