New Girl, Best of Nick: Season 2 Episode 23 ‘Virgins’.
(via newgirlthings)
I have been going through the academy for my job since the end of February and now the end is very near.. And I am beginning to freak out. Because once graduation comes, literally the next day I go to work, and, well, have my very own caseload. AHHHHHH. To people that do not understand the work I a do, would not understand how incredibly scary this actually is. And frankly, I am over trying to explain to people what exactly I do.
I do not think anyone will EVER understand actually, even if they think they do. They still don’t. And I have came up with an easy way to present my title to people now, that ask the good ol’ “So what kind of social worker are you?”..
My answer will be … ‘A children’s social worker’ and when they ask “What kind of children’s social worker?” I will say..’an investigator’ BECAUSE that seems to be the easiest way to put my job into perspective.
Because that is what I do. I am a children’s social worker. I advocate for children. I represent children in court. I advocate for families, and I advocate for change. I do not take kids away from families, but I take kids away from dangerous, often times deadly situations AND work WITH the family to get them to where they need to be to ensure a safe home for children. I do not tear families apart, I actually keep families together. I investigate the referral (which is allegations of abuse that is usually reported in by family, teachers, doctors and neighbors). I assess the family and their home. I look for safety and risk (the now, and the later) and whether or not I feel that it is safe to leave kids in their homes.
Situations can be as petty as a dirty home, dirty kid to as sever as sexual molestation or beating their kids so bad they have bruises, wounds, or broken bones. You have got to understand life struggles, crisis, mental illness and addiction in order to understand my job. If you cannot grasp the severity of those things than you will not understand the purpose of me, and my job.
My personal experiences with abuse and addiction, and domestic violence has motivated me to work in this field, and it has shaped who I am. And anyone that doubts the authenticity of my work will seriously have a problem, because I am getting sick and tired of people that are not educated and are quick to point fingers on a subject they know shit about.
Besides that, I have recently went to the doctor because I have been having the worst headaches for over a month. AND the doctor basically told me I have the headaches due to tension and stress. I was pretty shocked because I actually did not feel stressed, but I guess my body believes otherwise. I feel that this job is going to age the fuck out of me, and its inevitable. I can already feel it.
But I will just shut up and stop complaining, because I can finally say I am doing what I want to do in life, I am making a difference and I am financially stable. It’s a good feeling to be able to give my parents money, and take them out to nice dinners without thinking about my bank account balance. It’s a good feeling being able to buy all the shit I want (even though I shouldn’t). And it’s a good feeling being able to make enough to move out, and be on my own now.
It’s going to be weird, and a little lonely, but it is a change long over due and needed.
