#cssw

I’ve applied to dual MDiv/MSW programs and it looks like I have some choices to make (Still waiting to hear back from the School of Social Work at BU, but accepted to both halves of all the other programs). 

Thank you so much!😊💜 I hope you and your loved ones are doing well!✨

YES!! I get so excited when people are interested in social work and am more than happy to answer this! I’m super excited that you’re considering social work and also congrats if you are graduating this year!😄💜 It will be a very long post!😁

TW: Brief mentions of childhood sexual abuse in the form of a course and traumas

🦋 Picking a School/Field of Study

Honestly, I feel as though every social work has tons to offer! I mainly chose Columbia because I really wanted a different atmosphere and was drawn to the diversity and PROP courses offered that focused on the intersections of Power, Race, Oppression, and Privilege!✨ I would totally check on tuition, the general area, and access to resources such as groceries and things like this since Master’s programs often means more independent living!✨

There are sooo many different paths you can take and I encourage you to really look into different fields and choose what resonates most with you but know that there is always time to learn and explore!✨ I’ll link some resources below for schools and programs!🦋

If you identify as a Person of Color, live with a disability, identify as a first- generation college grad, international student, etc. I would check in on scholarships, student unions, etc. and communities of support as well! Community makes a world of difference, especially when it comes to addressing inter generational traumas, injustices, and collective pain! There’s no way I would’ve learned as much and felt as capable and supported without solid friends, colleagues, and mentors!💛 It is was also so important for me to become more aware of my own privileges- especially in terms of pursuing my Master’s at Columbia University, especially when it came to the communities I was working with!✨

🦋 Courses and Coursework

I honestly have to say that since racism is so heavily institutionalized everywhere- there were definitely moments in the classroom that felt uncomfortable and even unsafe-in some courses centered on addressing anti-Blackness I would be the only Black student and this pressure to represent all Black people rang true for so many other students of color!😭 Also, imposter syndrome is so rampant but just know that wherever you go, in whatever fields/communities- your presence is valid!!!👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿💛

Talking about things such as intergenerational trauma and the effects, and contemporary issues such as police brutality or misogynoir hit home for me! Depending on your background and experiences, things are bound to come up- a few examples of emotionally difficult courses I took were Grief Loss, and Bereavement and Childhood Sexual Abuse... It’s important to address what comes up and decompress even if it’s just talking to the professor or a few classmates/friends!

A quick plug for Columbia😁: The professors are phenomenal!!!✨ There’s literally not a class I dreaded going to or a professor I didn’t honestly learn from and find inspiration in!💛

No matter your background, it is so important to be able to name your feelings and validate them when they come up- with social work there’s really no way to escape triggers, personal issues, etc. It’s okay to rage, experience sadness, to be frustrated, etc. These are not negative emotions but rather normal and you can always transmute them into fuel for passion! Although it’s painful it’s also a beautiful part of doing the work from the inside out- I have been working on things I didn’t think I was strong enough to even acknowledge much less face with self-compassion and care! You will definitely learn new things about yourself!✨

One term I learned in many courses is that of the “wounded healer” we all carry things with us and it’s important to remember this and take care of yourself- whether that means writing, dancing, belting a song out, crying, or talking to someone, etc. Day to day life can get busy and overwhelming so practice getting into the habit of taking care of yourself is essential! Emotional burn out is so difficult but you can get through it if it comes up- even if you may need to take some time off through deferment, put yourself first!👏🏿💛 In my personal experiences, the workload was manageable but this will vary especially if you are working while going to school- communicate when you need to with professors about needing more time! Eat and sleep as well as possible, you deserve to and it’s impossible to give to the fullest degree when you are running on empty! 💛

🦋 Field Education (Internships)

In addition to courses, you’ll also have an internship for each year in most programs!✨ At Columbia, they asked us to fill out a few forms indicating where we would like to be in our 1st year and in the 2nd year- we had to apply and go on interviews! I feel this is similar for most social work schools- be as honest as possible about your desires and goals when filling out the forms and keep your foot on the neck of the field education office until you get where you’d like to be! Also with financial aid!!!👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

At the same time, don’t be too discouraged if you don’t get your first choice- try to go into your internships with a willingness to learn and with the mindset of learning from the community first and foremost! Another crucial thing I learned is how widespread the White savior complex is... it’s not your job to ever fix anything or anyone- you are there to provide access to resources and be a disruptive of systematic oppression!✊🏿

Inner work with happen here for sure!Depending on the population you work with you may come across people and circumstances that may trigger you- again, take breaks as you can and get your emotions and feelings out regularly! If you identify as an empathy or highly sensitive- this is especially important- transference and countertransference hit me hard this year working with Black/Brown girls in middle school- especially with instances of bullying (middle schoolers are amazing but also ruthless!😭) and family dynamics/issues/therapy, whew! When I worked with girls who were parentified and providing emotional support to their siblings... I felt like I was talking to my younger self- it’s raw and surreal and decompression will be so essential to your own growth as well as with how you interact with participants!💛 Empathy and compassion are such important values when it comes to counseling! If there’s nothing else I’ve learned, it’s the importance that a relationship holds- if people feel safe and vulnerable with you, that is healing in itself!🦋

I made use of journaling heavily over the past two years!✨ It will be so important to keep communication open and honest with your supervisor!!! You will most likely be super busy and wear many different hats and it’s important to recognize your limits with self-compassion!✨ Also, it’s important to speak up if you feel you are not getting what you need with supervision- most learning happens in the field and you’re definitely paying for the experience!👏🏿 ✨ Advocacy, setting boundaries, self-advocacy are beautiful things you will learn for sure with social work through internships!💛

🦋 Overall Reflections

The last two years have been beautiful, painful, eye opening, tiring, demanding, healing, and soooo essential to my life’s goals and journeys! Overall, I wouldn’t change anything with my experiences because I was challenged in every possible way to believe in myself- my gifts and abilities, unlearn to learn again, and to have hope for the future!💛 I’ve learned things and made connections that I’ll never forget and am immensely grateful for! I feel more in synch with myself- definitely more than I ever have with my guides and life purpose! This has also positively affected my relationship with spirituality and trusting in myself and my intuition!✨ If you are considering entering a program during COVID, many things will be different but above all else- community will help carry you through and self-care is non-negotiable!👏🏿💛💛💛 Social work has been so healing for me in different ways and I hope this helps you! Please don’t hesitate to ask more questions as they arise, I’m extremely passionate about social work and happy to answer! Take good care of yourself!!💛🦋

I am excited to announce that I will be going to Columbia University's School of Social Work to get my Master of Social Work!! I begin in July, and am so grateful for this opportunity.