Tacoma Community House Interview Reflection
As a student of social work, I have found that most of my academic experience has been spent reading books, writing papers and taking exams, but today I was able to use my newly acquired interviewing skills and complete an interview on my own. Though this interview was more like a meet and greet at the Tacoma Community House with English Second Language (ESL) students, nothing formal or clinical, I was still able to use a lot of interviewing skills. This paper is supposed to be a reflection of my experience, but I felt an assessment of the overall interview would be more intuitive. I will begin by assessing my observations of the agency through the eyes of a potential client, followed by the interview. I will reflect on which interviewing skills I used and how they may have helped or hindered me during the interview. I will identify which new perspectives acquired, and what challenges the client faced through the immigration process. I will also assess what I learned from the client and how a strengths perspective would evaluate the client.
Observing Tacoma Community House
Prior to the interview I arrived at
…show more content…
The clients were all level 4 or 5 some even six which means they can understand English, but some have difficulties with either reading or writing, but all speak it very well. When the brief was over the ELS student we brought in and placed in front of an interviewer (my classmates and I). When my ESL student sat down I immediately introduced myself as Chad, she replied “I am Anna”. I then shook her hand, and said, “Thank you for allowing me talk to you today.” I then proceeded to let Anna know why I was there and what my role is with the agency. I could see that Anna felt comfortable and was at ease which to me meant the interview was off to a great
In today’s society were an abundance of resources exist, social workers are often the entry point for people to access services. Therefore, it is imperative for social work professionals to have a clear understanding of themselves in relation to the client from a cultural perspective. While the social work profession has always focused on social justice and oppression it wasn’t until the civil rights movement that there was a conscious shift in the social work pedagogy to focus the social service practice on race, racism, and training the workforce in cultural competences. Later in the mid 1980’s, the tone of cultural competence would shift from race and racism to a more inclusive language, which includes a more robust list of all types of
For this case study, a new immigrant to the United States from Romania, Mike was interviewed regarding the difficu...
The data provides culturally competent guidelines for social workers. The social worker must understand and appreciate diversity among and within cultures. They should be aware of the history, culture, and contemporary realities. They also must have good skills in patience, listening, and tolerance of silence. A social worker needs to be aware of their own biases and need for wellness and display humility and a willingness to learn. They need to be respectful, nonjudgemental, and openminded. However, researchers must find a way to measure cultural competence with studies that examine beliefs and evaluate actions of social workers. It should include several cultural groups.This will be highly important in building a knowledge base. Doing these studies there can be a better plan to include cultural competence and serve clients from different backgrounds a lot better.
The way person leads a group of people or an organization is key to a successful business or outreach. There are many styles and techniques for a leader to implement. Christian leaders are no exception; some might say being a leader in a church organization can be a more scrutinizing position than other leaders. Since, a church leader has expectations on how they should act or conduct themselves because of the Christian faith. This paper will discuss an interview with a person in leadership brother Larry and will give an account of his leadership approach. Furthermore, what strengths and weaknesses are prevalent according to authors Kouzes and Posner and the model they have in their book, Christian Reflections on The Leadership Challenge.
The United States has long served as a refuge for people who seek to escape hunger, poverty, torture, and the oppression of the human spirit in their own countries. However, the issue of immigration in the United States has become a political flashpoint since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The sacralization of the tragedy has served to paint all immigrants with the same fear-ladened brush, and has marginalized and stereotyped an already vulnerable population. Today, more than ever, immigrants in the United States face increasing stressors as they try to assimilate in a politically charged post 9/11 world. To be an effective social worker, immigration issues and multicultural awareness is critical. Mary and Mario, a couple who is seeking marital therapy, will serve to illustrate the immigration issues a clinician should consider when assessing a client system in therapy.
Weick (1992) states “every person has an inherent power that may be characterized as life force, transformational capacity, life energy, spirituality, regenerative potential, and healing power, which is a potent form of knowledge that can guide personal and social transformation” (p. 24). No matter the crisis or oppression, it needs to be brought to client’s realization that they are strong, resilient and can overcome. They may not be aware of this inner power due to the constant stress and overwhelming sense of impending doom in their lives, but with the help of the strengths perspective, we can assist clients in realizing that they have strengths as well as weaknesses. Clients want to know that they can rely on social workers to provide adequate resources and respect their current situation, no matter how difficult it may be. Clients want to know that we can empathize with their situation and provide support, care and concern for the issues they are going through; they need to know that we will help them achieve their goals and not give up on them as many may have before in their lives. Saleeby (2013) states “your cli...
Today’s skills session on social work interviewing skills covered the uniqueness of social work interviewing in comparison to interviews conducted in professions such as the police, doctors, employers, etc. It covered also different types of questioning and how to paraphrase. Another area covered was, what to avoid when interviewing a service user and the use of silence. I leant that interview skills are fundamental in social work and social work interviewing is unique. Social workers empathize with clients because of their knowledge of the client group and the need of help to alleviate their problems. Empathy however does not equate accepting that the client is right in what they have done or that the social worker is condoning their actions. Empathy relates to the issue of ‘trusting’ and ‘believing’ the client. In as much as a social worker should seek to establish trust in the relationship, this does not necessarily mean they should believe
Perhaps one of the most versatile and diverse careers is social work, as this career works with individuals struggling with substance abuse, low-income families, and homeless individuals. Social work is a profession that is concerned with solving personal, group, and community relationships (Farley, Smith, & Boyle, 2011). Among some of the most important aspects of social work are the restoration of impaired social functioning, the provision of social services, and prevention (Farley et al., 2011). Reducing problems in human relationships and improving human interactions among individuals are the major focuses of this profession, regardless of which people group the social workers are serving (Farley et al., 2011). Even though it is a relatively new profession, social work has existed in various forms throughout history. However, the beginning of social work’s development as a profession was primarily European in origin, with the ideals spreading to the United States
In the past, social workers have focused more on dysfunctional patterns as opposed to strengths (Krist-Ashman & Hull, 2015). As a result, the practitioner can miss vital information. If an assessment focuses primarily on inadequacies and deficits, the social worker fails to identify the positive characteristics, motivations, intelligence, abilities and resources that can be used to enhance the individual’s overall wellbeing (Krist-Ashman & Hull, 2015). Recognizing a client’s strengths stimulates hope, growth and resiliency. Therefore, practitioners must focus equally on strengths and challenges because this helps the social worker as well as the client to build a therapeutic alliance by setting realistic expectations (McInnis-Dettrich, 2014). Nurturing the client’s strengths empowers them to take control or maintain control of their lives. Ultimately, focusing on deficits or strengths can lead to self-fulling prophecies (Krist-Ashman & Hull,
I have countless reasons as to why I want to become a social worker, however my experience in the foster care system and my background as a refugee are the main motivators of my decision. As a former foster child, social workers ensured my safety and guided me through some very difficult times in my life, and I am very grateful for that. In return, I aspire to help foster children overcome their challenges and succeed in life. I want to become a social worker so I can translate my unparalleled passion to help those in need into effective practice. I believe the social work profession has the power to make a meaningful difference by advocating for the vulnerable, and promoting social and global well-being.
Practice: Purpose, Principles, and Applications in a Climate of System’s Integration. In Saleebey, D. (Ed.), The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice. Fourth Ed. 171-196. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Social work practitioners can use the information from this study to document activities that MSW graduates engaged in relevant to cultural competency. The study will provide current and future social workers with specific details and strategies that they can employ to assist them on their journey toward culturally competent practice. In addition, this research study will offer examples of what social workers can do to build their knowledge, skills, and values.
To provide effective social services, a social work graduate must possess a multitude of knowledge, skills and abilities. This will be a reflective paper on everything that I know for sure as a student of social work who is about to go into the world of work.
Bradford W. Sheafor, C. R. (2008). Techniques and Guidlines for Social Work Practice. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.
Describe your understanding of the social work profession and its core values. How have you incorporated social work values in your human service experiences and interactions with others? What significant relationships and life experiences have you had in giving or receiving help that have motivated you to enter the field of social work? What personal qualities equip you for the social work profession? Discuss your experiences and feelings about the working with populations different from your own.