On Grad School...

Y'all...
I love grad school. Yes, it's a challenge. And yes, it is putting me further in debt. But I love everything about it.

I'm working on my master's in social work. Which is a terminal degree...which means...no more schooling for me required :)

I'm pretty passionate about helping people. I do have my areas of interest (see previous post about giving back). And studying social work just makes me even more excited about being done and being out there practicing. I'm excited to get my license. I intend to get my license in clinical social work as well. I plan on doing a lot with that degree and that license.

I remember when I graduated 4 years ago with my bachelor's in psychology. I thought...well what now? I pretty much knew right away that I didn't want to go further with psychology. I love the subject of psychology. But...I knew it wasn't exactly where I wanted to be. I don't regret getting this degree .If anything, I think it'll help me be a stronger social worker. But I've always known that I wanted to be remembered for doing something great. And I don't mean remember by thousands or millions of people - I mean by at least one person. If I make an impact on one person's life...I'll be happy.

When I started college, I went in as an education major. I thought...well we all have that one teacher we remember, right? So, I'll do that and be remembered in that regard. I took one education class and quickly dropped that major. It was not for me. I eventually chose psychology because I really liked my psyc professors and the topic.

I don't mean to make a blanket statement...but I think a lot of social workers out there are burnt out. Done. I feel like when working with risky or "disadvantaged" populations...one needs to have a heightened sense of compassion and sympathy/empathy. I've seen social workers talk to their clients horribly before. And I don't like that. I mean...isn't it enough that people have to be "in the system" and struggle every day? And then to have the person who is helping them be rude to them? No.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm very realistc. I know that clients can be exhausting. And they have to given respect to get respect. And that clients can sometimes be very nasty to us. I know all that. I've seen and experienced all of that. But people aren't born that way. Experiences and past people they have associated with have made them like that. So maybe...if I can show some compassion and empathy to my clients...their attitude may change.

Grad school is my way to finally get the job I want. To finally help the people I want to help, in the capacity I want to help them. To make a difference. To advocate. To change.