Wondering if I am smart enough to be a social worker

[LittleDarlings]

So my first 3 weeks are down woo! I love my program, I love the people, I love what I am learning.  I have been able to tie some really important points back to myself and my own personal fears and concerns and conversations I have had with my therapist! I even talked to some classmates who have said they have gone through counseling and it pushed them in the SW direction also.  I am kind of afraid at this point that I am not smart enough to be a social worker.  I have a direct practice class and she gives us weekly reading exams and some of the questions are like the ones we will see on the licensure exam, they are REALLY HARD QUESTIONS.  What if after graduation I am not prepared to take the exam?! Also everyone in my classes have so much life experience, they have taught at conferences on women's empowerment, or worked with foster children in other countries, or they have families and went through traumatic personal experiences that led them to SW.  I feel like my story isn't that deep.  I always wanted to get into counseling and I found a way to do that through SW.  I have minor experience but not a lot.  I am just worried that I don't know as much as everyone else.  I also just have a question for people who are working in the field, how do you manage your personal triggers? I worried about that a lot when applying to school but after taking a class where we talk about values and ethics I can see how to separate my personal feelings from the client.  I am just wondering how you handle your own personal issues without letting it show to the client? 

[GeoDUDE!]

Serious question. 

 

What if someone on this forum said indeed you were not smart enough to be a social worker, after having never met you in real life, or really know your situation?

 

By corollary, what if someone indeed said you were?

 

It would be really sad if you believed either of those two people. 

 

How does anyone here have the ability to measure your intelligence? Maybe people know how smart you have to be a social worker, but connecting the two seems like a very difficult thing having never met you. 

 

 

One thing you might take solace in is that no matter what program you are in, you are only tested when you have to take the test and not before.  My quals arent for 5 quarters, but they arent giving me the test now. Perhaps worry if you feel this way a semester before your test, not 3 weeks in.  

Edited September 10, 2014 by GeoDUDE!

[LittleDarlings]

Serious question. 

 

What if someone on this forum said indeed you were not smart enough to be a social worker, after having never met you in real life, or really know your situation?

 

By corollary, what if someone indeed said you were?

 

It would be really sad if you believed either of those two people. 

 

How does anyone here have the ability to measure your intelligence? Maybe people know how smart you have to be a social worker, but connecting the two seems like a very difficult thing having never met you. 

 

 

One thing you might take solace in is that no matter what program you are in, you are only tested when you have to take the test and not before.  My quals arent for 5 quarters, but they arent giving me the test now. Perhaps worry if you feel this way a semester before your test, not 3 weeks in.  

That is very true.   I need to chill down! 

[Munashi]

I have a direct practice class and she gives us weekly reading exams and some of the questions are like the ones we will see on the licensure exam, they are REALLY HARD QUESTIONS.  What if after graduation I am not prepared to take the exam?!

 

GeoDUDE! gave you some very sound advice, and did touch on what I am about to say.  But I'll reiterate it:

 

No one expects you to be able to pass a licensure exam right now.  It's true that when you enter grad school, not everyone is on an even playing field - some have more experience/knowledge than others.  But the POINT of your program is to get you ready.  You'll learn a lot in the next two years.  And when it's actually time for the exam, at that point in your studies, you'll be ready to take that test.

[louise86]

I have a direct practice class and she gives us weekly reading exams and some of the questions are like the ones we will see on the licensure exam, they are REALLY HARD QUESTIONS.  What if after graduation I am not prepared to take the exam?! 

 

My first guess is the point of these types of questions in class is to help you get used to these types of questions. Are these exams graded? How are you doing on them? Have you improved on each one? If you aren't improving it might be best to talk with your professor and get some tips that will help you with these especially if they are graded. 

 

Also, no one expects you to be able to pass the licensure exam now or right after finishing the program. You'll want to buy study materials and spend some time studying, taking pretests, etc just like any other standardized test. 

 

 

Also everyone in my classes have so much life experience, they have taught at conferences on women's empowerment, or worked with foster children in other countries, or they have families and went through traumatic personal experiences that led them to SW.  I feel like my story isn't that deep.  I always wanted to get into counseling and I found a way to do that through SW.  I have minor experience but not a lot.  I am just worried that I don't know as much as everyone else. 

 

Some will have more experience than you and some will have less. Everyone will have different life experiences and reasons for choosing social work. Other people's accomplishments and experiences are not a reflection on you. You are not a failure because others have done more/better. Look at your classmates as a chance to learn from their experiences. 

 

Have you ever heard of "impostor syndrome"? It's something to be aware of because it will come up again. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome

 

 

I also just have a question for people who are working in the field, how do you manage your personal triggers? I worried about that a lot when applying to school but after taking a class where we talk about values and ethics I can see how to separate my personal feelings from the client.  I am just wondering how you handle your own personal issues without letting it show to the client? 

 

 

Generally, it's a skill that you have to learn and part of a social work program is to teach you that skill. Of course, there will be some areas of social work or some populations you will not be able to work with and that is fine. Everyone has their limits. You just need to be able to recognize them. For instance, I could never work in a nursing home. 

 

 

So my first 3 weeks are down woo! I love my program, I love the people, I love what I am learning.  I have been able to tie some really important points back to myself and my own personal fears and concerns and conversations I have had with my therapist! 

 

I think this is the most important. You should stop comparing yourself with others and compare yourself with how you've changed since entering the program. How much you've learned, not what everyone knows.