Without a Second Thought

Just because I have the title doesn’t mean I know it all. In fact, far from it. Don’t get me wrong I have learnt a lot throughout my degree but there is so much that they do not teach you because that would be impossible.

I know a lot about law and legislation, and I have mesmerised sections or principles of these, and they are extremely helpful. You are taught different approaches you can use “in practice”.

In practice is an interesting way of wording it because I know that I personally feel that I am practicing at my job most of the time. I believe it’s known as imposter syndrome and everyone I speak to about it, especially in Social Work not only knows what it is, they feel it too. Right up to the highest level.

People are waiting for someone to catch them. Ask why they are there. Tell them there is a mistake.

I personally think its because we work in a profession where you can never know it all. Things change so often that you feel like you are playing catch up. Plus, Social Work is such a varied job, not just because it allows you access into so many specialisations but also because of the things they don’t teach you at university. The direct work with people constantly changing depending on a million things that you have no control over.

Any role that works with people of whatever age in a caring type of role, you find people telling you the same thing time and time again. I couldn’t do it. I think a lot of caring professions, in my own experience Social Work but also in my previous role as a nursery nurse. They are not jobs. You have to have a calling for it otherwise it shows. You can smile and chat but if you don’t care about people, it is written all over your face.

I never knew when starting my degree that it would pull apart everything, I thought I knew about myself and rebuild me as a stronger person. I’m lucky that the people I had in my life when this journey began are still here because I know not everyone is so lucky.

I work with people at the heart of what I do not just on paper or in words but in the actions I take.

I’ve been told that I cheer people up when they are struggling, and I do that automatically without a second thought. I have been in my current team for a few months in different roles, but one thing hasn’t changed. I will offer help where I can.

I have helped packed up flats, attempted to fix locked out phones and none working computers. Getting on my hands and knees to see what’s wrong and I have cleaned up sick. None of this was mentioned in my studies but because I feel I have a calling for it I do it without a second thought.