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A 40-year veteran of the social work field came up to me on Monday and said, "So, you're AB...D?" I replied, "I'm not sure what you mean."
He said, "AB...D--All but degree!"
Then, I smiled from ear-to-ear and said, "Yes, I'm AB...D!"
Apparently this is a phrase that they used "in his day" for people who were working on their PhD and only had their dissertation left to finish.
Well, my last final was Monday, my grades are in, my cap and gown are ready to go! My career as a social worker officially begins on May 16th. The only thing left to do is to take and pass the LGSW before the baby comes, and I am scheduled for that in a few weeks.
Thank you to everyone who has walked this journey with me. What a difficult two years it has been, but I do feel that God has taught me more about Him and about myself. Thanks to all of my wonderful professors who endured with me during that tragic first semester (Gioia, Meyer--on sabbatical, Kunz--who is no longer here, Demidenko, and P. Smith), who were gracious and compassionate to me when the world around me was crumbling--I will remember your kindness the most.
So, onward to the future--Emmanuel Jadon Foster is scheduled to be born on July 12, 2008. His name means, "God with us." I think that is a fitting name after what we have endured for the last two years.
With gratitude, Carmen
It is time for me to begin terminating clients, and I must admit that this is harder than I thought. As I talk to my adolescent clients, they say things like...."Will you be able to call me? (No)...Can you hit me up on MySpace? (No)...What about sending me letters...Christmas cards...anything?"
The one thing that I have learned about terminating clients is that it is important to be upfront and honest with them. With my particular clients, it is important that they know that I am not abandoning them for something better, but that my time with them has come to an end.
The difficult thing for me personally is that I do want to know what happens to my clients. Will they go to high school? Will they pass their current grade? Will she/he break up with her/his significant other? Will his/her mom/dad come back into his/her life? Will they "make it"? I guess that I will never know the answers to these questions, but I have to trust that I did the best that I could with my time with them. I have to trust that seeds were planted and that they will eventually bloom and flourish.
This is a week that all graduate students at the SSW look forward to: SPRING BREAK! Most of us have finished midterms and are in need of a long and restful break. Except that my break is not a "real" break.
I still have to go to field.
Because I am in a school, my field instructor gave me the option of taking the week off even though my clients are in school or coming in and meeting with them and having next week off (which happens to be the kids' spring break). The latter option was highly encouraged...especially since MSA Testing starts when the kids get back from break and we will be limited as to how much we can see our clients during the testing week.
So, I am in field today, tomorrow, and Thursday. Next week I will have off from field, but I am also taking off from class. My husband and I are going on our "babymoon." It really just consists of us having precious, uninterrupted time together...nothing too fancy...just each other.
For those of you who are truly on Spring Break...I hope that you enjoy your week off. Shoot me an email when you get back!
Happy Easter.
I really enjoy my family therapy class! Dr. DiBlasio teaches the class, and he has years of clinical experience (he's in private practice) and makes hard clinical concepts very easy to understand.
But....
As we are reading about the history of family therapy and problems that occur because of interactions and triangles and personality differences and double binds...I am becoming a little nervous about my soon-to-be born son (yes! It's a boy!) My husband constantly reminds me that we communicate well and that we are on the same page and that we pray for strength and direction and wisdom...but what if I turn into a clinical madwoman with my child???
Last year, I wrote several times that it's all about perspective. Nothing has changed--it is all about perspective. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to raise a son, especially with my husband. I am certain that we will make mistakes, and I am certain that it will be hard...but when it's all said and done...I am sure that Baby ???? Foster will turn out just fine.
I'm preparing for midterms and hoping to take the LGSW either right before or after graduation! Pray for me. I am exhausted and overwhelmed with what needs to be finished before May 16th rolls around.
If anyone has any boy name suggestions...send me an email!
Good luck on midterms!
Hi, friends!
I think that I mentioned in my previous blog that I helped to coordinate the first-ever Ben Franklin Spirit Day and Homecoming at my field placement. The girls above won the award for having the most spirit! The other coaches and I were really happy that these girls showed their school pride.
One of the most difficult things about being here is that my 8th grade clients do not have anywhere to go for high school. It takes an hour to get to their zone school and since most of the kids don't have cars, they have to take at least two buses. The test scores of the majority of the students are not high enough to get into top-tier Baltimore City high schools, like City and Poly...and even if they could get into those schools, they are far away as well. According to the Community School Director and the ED of Habitat for Humanity in this area, the high school graduation rate in this neighborhood is less than 40%.
There are plans to possibly make Ben a high school (in fact, a parent interest meeting is occuring in 30 minutes)...so we will see what happens...
For now I'm trying to dwell on the positive things at Ben...so enjoy the picture!
Thanks for reading!
Well, now that classes are back in session...people are asking the infamous question, "What are you doing after graduation?" While I wrestled with this question all last semester, it looks like I finally have an answer...I'm going to have a baby! My husband and I are expecting our first child. The baby (we don't know the gender yet) is due in July. I'm about 15 weeks pregnant right now.
I am taking three classes this semester: Family Therapy, Clinical SW with African American Families, and Field. I plan to take the LGSW either before or right after I graduate so that I don't have to worry about that when the baby comes. I currently work part-time at HopeWell Cancer Support as their Kids Circle Outreach Specialist...so even though it is a "maco" social work job and my degree will be in "clinical--mental health," I'm happy to have a job that is in the field and that offers me part-time flexibility so that I can stay at home with my baby.
So, this semester while my classmates are preparing to change Baltimore and the world...I will be preparing for the biggest change in my life thus far...adding the role of "mom" to my resume.
Finally--the semester is over! Technically, I have today and tomorrow left until field is over...but for all intensive purposes, the semester is over!
I hope that everyone has a blessed Christmas and New Year's. I will write more in 2008, Lord willing.
Thanks for everyone who has joined with me on this graduate school journey.
See you next year!
We just found out that there are small rats in the classroom at my field placement. It's pretty disgusting. The exterminator came one day and put down a bunch of glue traps. The next day, there were large dropping and blood on one of the traps. Needless to say, the janitor called the exterminator back.
They think they know where the rats are coming in from--my hope and prayer is that they can stop them.
I also wonder about the safety of the kids in the school because rats carry diseases. Currently, they are convinced that the rats are only in our classroom...but I am not so sure.
Let's just hope that we catch the rats and that they don't wander to any other part of the building.
Question: What would you if you found out that there were small rats in your child's school? I am interested to hear your thoughts.
Good luck on finals.
I have been struggling lately seperating my personal views from my professional work--so much so that I've questioned if I should practice social work when I graduate.
I have developed some strong relationships with my clients this year, and I find myself wanting to be an integral part of their lives outside of our 45 minutes a week. I think about them when I am at home. I hurt when they get in a fight or get in trouble at school. My heart often breaks when they leave school at the end of the day because I know that they go to face things that I never imagined facing at their fragile ages.
So, this has been a struggle for me. I always thought that I wanted to work with adolescent girls when school was over...now I am not so sure that I can handle it on a professional level.
Any advice that veteran clinicians can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wow....since I've been at my field placement, there has been at least one fight once a week, and it is not uncommon for there to be more. Unfortunately, the kids continue to fight because there aren't many consequences for their actions.
One of my clients fought another student, and they were back at school the next day.
Eventually they both got suspended, but it was a 4 day suspension instead of a 5 day suspension because one of the administrators "didn't want to do the paperwork for a 5 day long-term suspension."
Don't get me wrong....I LOVE my placement. I feel like I am learning more about the educational system and mental health than ever before....but I get frustrated when kids fight so vicously that the school police has to get involved and they are let back in school the next day. If we don't show them that there are consequences for their actions, then what happens when they get out into the "real world"? Police officers are not going to delay an arrest...Judges are not going to delay their verdict...the students will have to face their consequences.
Do I think the consequences have to be an out of school suspension? Absolutely not--there is a great program that allows students to serve their suspension in school with extra resources to complete their assignments, etc. However, I do think that students should understand that they can't just beat each other crazy without facing any consequences. Consequences are necessary in order to establish authority and to protect those who are being bullied.
What do you think? Leave a comment with your thoughts.
My friends and I were in the student mailroom waiting to go to our 6PM class and someone said, "Hey--do you know that we register on Nov. 5th?" We all looked at each other in disbelief! Nov. 5th at 6AM will be the last time that most of us will EVER register for classes.
It's hard to believe that my social work journey is almost over. It doesn't seem like the papers, exams, and studying will ever end...but May 16th will be here faster than I can imagine.
On Monday, Nov. 5th, at 5:50 AM, I plan to have my computer on with course numbers in hand. I only have to take two classes and field next semester, instead of three classes and field. This is definitely a benefit of taking a summer class.
Hopefully, I will be able to register for the classes that I want. I'll let you know if it works out.
Shoot me an email :)
Are you MACO or Clinical?
A friend of mine who is a first year student is really struggling answering this question. She doesn't have a social work background and is not sure what she wants to do when she graduates...but by mid-November she has to register for Spring classes and by Feb. she has to declare her concentration.
Are you MACO or Clinical?
This is what I've found: there are a LOT of people who come into SSW and know exactly what they are passionate about--maybe they want to run a non-profit or work for DSS or be a community organizer or work with substance abuse clients...so for them the question is easy.
But for those of us with NO SW Background (I was a history major in undergrad)--how do you answer the infamous question?
My advice: discover what you are passionate about and how you want your days to look (do you want to work from 8-3 like a school social worker, do you want to work weekends at a residential treatment facility, do you want to work nights as a community organizer helping residents and attending community meetings?) And..try out different field placements! If you are placed somewhere clinical, volunteer with a non-profit org to get the MACO side of things and vice versa. Do a little bit of both to see what things are non-negotiable for you in a job (do you have to be face-to-face with clients experiencing trauma...do you want to do policy work with the state legislature?)
It's not an easy question--but no matter which way you decide to go, the best social workers combine key elements of both areas to create a dynamic practice!
So, don't worry--we're social workers! It's a great proffession and there's great need. That may not alleviate your anxiety about declaring a concentration, but you can be assured that no matter which way you decide to go, when graduation comes, you will have a job...and a few years down the road if you are ready for a change, there will be another job (maybe in a different concentration)!
Blessings today!
As a first year student, I felt overwhelmed at the beginning of the year....
As a second year student, I have often wondered, "Are they trying to kill us?"
3 days of field...and 3 classes...are they kidding? Don't get me wrong...I LOVE my field placement this year. Being in SWCOS is a real blessing from the Lord. My field instructor is intelligent, efficient, and compassionate--and there are more scholarship opportunities for 2nd year students who have a SWCOS placement. I really like my classes--Dick Cook, the ED of SWCOS is one of my professors, and I think he is brilliant! But...are they trying to kill us?
I am so exhausted from working a full day at field and going to class in the evening...and everyone I talk to feels the same way! My situation is a little more complex because I still work a PT job (don't tell anyone!)...but this schedule is lighting a fire under my tail!
Please hear this: if you are a FT 2nd year student and you are tired--you are not alone. We all feel the exhaustion...and most of us are getting a caffiene fix before those evening classes...but we are only months away (May 16!) from having more sleep, more knowledge, and a versatile degree that will give us the right "credentials" to work for change in the lives of individuals and for the betterment of communities.
It's worth it.
Shoot me an email :)
I think that my field placement this year has a lot of potential!
The school has a caring principal, a dynamic staff, and students who are hungry for attention. The principal also seems to really care that the "mental health needs"of his students are met and really supports the work of SWCOS in the school.
I have some fairly ambitious goals for myself in field this year. On top of being assigned 6 or so individual cases, I hope to run two groups. One dance therapy group for girls and one anger management/bullying group for girls (anybody ever seen the movie Mean Girls?) On my first day, there was a fight between two girls outside of my office...and on the second day, I saw one of the "popular" girls make fun of and then push one of the "not-so-popular" girls. Apaprently, there are a few "not-so-popular" girls who get picked on almost everyday by the "popular girls," and they used to all be friends in elementary school! My goal is to bring them together in one group in order to open the lines of communication, facilitate some self-reflection/identity time, and to hopefully help build back trust among these girls who "used-to-be" friends.
I have to complete a Learning Contract with my field instructor (who is wonderful!), and she will have to approve my proposal to run the two groups--I'll let you know if the "Mean Girls" idea gets approved.
If anyone has any ideas on how the "Mean Girls Group" can be effective--please leave a comment or shoot me an email. I would love to hear and implement your thoughts.
It is that time again--the first day of classes.
My mom called bright and early to wish me a great day--this is a tradition in our family. When I was a child, she would write me this really sweet note wishing me luck. Now that I am older (and 12 hours away) she simply calls to let me know that she is thinking of me and praying for me.
This year is different than last--I will have 3 classes on campus and spend 3 days a week in field. I took Psychopathology this summer so that my load will be lighter in the Spring. This semester I am taking Evaluation Research, Paradigms of Clinical SW, and Non-Profit Development.
My field placement is with SWCOS at Ben Franklin Middle School. Although people typically associate SWCOS with MACO students--there is a Clinical Side. I will be providing school-based mental health services to the students. This is quite different from last year--last year I worked for Baltimore City Public Schools with the school wocial worker and was limited to working with kids in special education. This year, I will serve kids in the general school population...so anybody is fair game! I am really excited about field this year! Ben Franklin is located in the Brooklyn Community. It is one of the most diverse middle schools in Baltimore City.
And so, the challenge begins.
Feel free to leave a comment or to email me with any questions about this year. I look forward to getting to know you.
Blessings today.
Well, my first year field placement at the elementary school has finally ended, and boy it was a roller coaster of a time. My field instructor's old DSS buddy called school social work, "the champagne of social work." Here's why:
--You have a manageable caseload.
--You get holidays and summers off :)
--Your days are short.
--You're typically not on call.
--You get to work with individuals and families.
--If you have school-aged children, you are on the same schedule as them.
My most favorite part was the pre-K class (pictured above). They were so loving and excited (most of the time) to be in school. Even when they where snotty-nosed and angry, they could still bring a smile to my face. I will miss hanging out with them the most!
Farewell elementary school--hello.....??????
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Carmen
Concentration: Families & Children / Mental Health
Undergraduate School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
From: Chattanooga, TN (currently reside in Baltimore City)
Interests: Spending time with my husband, choreographing and teaching dance, volunteering with the youth at my church, exercising, cooking, and keeping in touch with family and friends.
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