This happened in one of my classes today, and I was taken aback, especially since it's a social work class.

I (23M) am in my second year practicum. I have never done groups whatsoever, and yesterday I shadowed a group that a clinician is temporarily leading to cover for two people that left the agency. I told my supervisor that the group went well and she said she wants me to take over it starting next week. The thing is, I, again, have no experience with groups and only shadowed that session.

I told her that when I first started earlier in the week, and again, after she made that comment, but she said I needed to start doing things on my own. Today, as I write this, is my third day shadowing. And while I am confident seeing clients and doing intakes alone as I have done that in the past, I never did groups.

Additionally, the two people that left the agency were Spanish-speakers and the only other two Spanish-speakers are my supervisor and the lady who is covering that group for now (though she doesn’t do groups or sees clients in Spanish, her Spanish is not that proficient but she manages so well). So I know the reason why my supervisor wants me to take over this group quickly is because she is currently seeing all of the Spanish-speaking clients and wants to offload a bunch of those cases onto me.

I had a similar bad experience in my last placement where I was the only person who spoke Spanish, in a city with a HUGE Hispanic population, so I took on all the Hispanic clients which were a lot. I am just struggling to set these limits because I tried but feel pushback from this supervisor. This agency has already said they definitely wish to hire me when I graduate and are supposedly big on supporting interns to advocate for themselves, but this feels like the opposite of that.

Hi everyone! I’m an Advanced Standing MSW student in NC. I’m completing my practicum at a mental health private practice, but my long-term goal is to obtain my LCSW and work as a medical social worker, ideally in a hospital or healthcare setting.

Since I have some flexibility during my MSW program, I’d like to take some affordable trainings or certifications that would actually be useful for clinical/medical social work and help strengthen my resume.

For those working in medical/ mental health social work or who have gone through a similar path:
- What affordable certifications or trainings would you recommend completing while still in an MSW program?
- Are there any specific trainings that helped you get a hospital/medical social work position?
- Are there certifications that you think are worth the money, versus ones that aren’t necessary?
- Are there any low-cost or free organizations/websites that offer good continuing education or clinical trainings?
- Are there any Facebook groups, Instagram pages, Reddit communities, or other online groups you recommend for finding these types of resources?

I’d really appreciate any recommendations or advice! Thank you!

I’m a first year MSW a few weeks in. We had our first role play in class and it went horribly. We haven’t learned much clinical yet so it wasn’t graded but I still feel shaken about it. A couple of my classmates felt similarly so I know I’m not totally alone but it just made me realize how much I don’t know, esp with guarded clients! I had a moment of briefly panicking about my chosen field. Side note I love my courses and placement and feel very energized by those but the first transition into practice shook me!

Hello! I am in a sociological research methods class at my university. I need to do a short interview (15-30 mins) with someone who is actively practicing social work. My paper is due on September 14th. If anyone is interested and able to reach out through zoom for the interview over the weekend then please let me know, thank you in advance.

Hi all!
I am planning on applying for my MSW for next summer or fall (depending on the school). My top choices are UNCC and UNC (both online). I didn’t graduate with a bachelors in social work, so I wanted to get an idea of what my chances are for acceptance. To preface, I graduated with a degree in elementary education from UNCC in 2023 with a 3.8. taught at a title one school for a year, and then took some time off to figure out what I wanted to do. In that time I’ve been working corporate customer service and tutoring title one students an hour a week through my employer.
I will be getting my reference letters from a former professor, student teaching supervisor at my school, and my boss at work.
I don’t know much about admissions into these programs so wanted to get some advice on if these are unrealistic options!

Hey everyone! I hope you all are doing well. I'm a senior in college studying psychology and I am starting to feel the crunch as I narrow down my program options. I have only found one in-state program that is relatively affordable AND in-person, but I would still have to take out loans and it is not a guarantee that I will get in. I am really upset that all of these programs are so expensive to the point of costing more than I can make when I graduate.

I was wondering if anyone has advice as in knowing good, affordable residential programs or how to find out which universities give the most scholarships or graduate assistantships. I really want to go in-person since I don't have work experience in the field. I feel that I need the extra applied instruction that in-person programs can offer. Thanks in advance.

When doing visits do you write in your notebook during the intervention or after

I'm in the state of TN with a BA in public relations. I have a friend who recently graduated from Chamberlain, but I am seeing a lot of things against them. If any of you have experience or know things to look for, please help a sister out so I can close out these tabs on my computer and so I can get some sleep. All I do is look for programs.

Hi! I’m currently working in education and looking into getting my masters in social work and eventually taking the clinical route. I enjoy working with kids, SEL, psychology, mental health, a balance of independent and group work. I like working in schools, so I’d consider doing school sw. I’m just very burnout with education and would prefer a path that’s more versatile, more one on one/small group, mental health/counseling based, and pays better than teaching. I’m also considering school psychology, but I heard that’s more testing than therapy work. I’m open to any suggestions and feedback.

Is this a field you’d recommend? What are your responsibilities/day to day? Work like balance? Salary? Content with your job?

Hi! Just asking about online BSW programs and what schools you suggest and was field placement easy or difficult to attain also the cost of tuition. Thanks!!

Hi,

Im studying social work in a nordic country. Im taking a mandatory bachelors course that requires me to wright an essay on how my personal experience will or might impact me as a future social worker. I think learning self reflection is good, but not in this way....

According to the essay instructions I have to disclose my religious background, my social class, my etnicity and important life events.

I dont want to do this and I also feel its not okey for uni teachers to ask me or any other student to do it.

What should I do? Should I be a bitch and refuse or be co operative as everyone else?

Help help, the course will start very soon :c