Strengths

     This semester, I am completing my internship at Sarah’s Inn which is an agency that offers services for women, men, and children that are experiencing domestic violence.  My orientation process has taken all of this week, and it sounds as if I will continue training next week so that I will complete the required 40 hour domestic violence advocate training.  I have faced a few challenges thus far, but I have noticed that they are all internal.  Because the majority of this week has been educational, I have learned a great deal about what domestic violence is, the cycle of manipulation that perpetrators use to control their partners, and how this affects the survivors mentally, physically, and emotionally.  This was a struggle for me because I noticed myself getting very angry and upset, and I needed to constantly keep myself in check.  I recognize that it is okay to feel these emotions, but when I observe intakes and support groups I need to keep my emotions under control and remain professional.

     My experience at Sarah’s Inn has been rewarding because I have learned valuable lessons about the social work profession, and how domestic violence perpetrators and survivors are influenced.  There are four other interns that I am working with, and it is amazing that we are all doing different things in this one agency that focuses on domestic violence.  We are divided between different programs like prevention, intervention and counseling, legal advocacy, and professional education and training.  All of these areas are important to how this agency functions, and each is an example of the versatility of the social work profession.  I also learned how Sarah’s Inn works with domestic violence survivors through the different services they offer, as well as how offering education to middle and high school students, police officers, medical professions, and clergy members can help the community to rally around ending this epidemic of violence against women.

Personal Strengths

1.      Positive

2.      Flexible

3.      Problem solver

4.      Independent

5.      Team player

6.      Compassionate

7.      Loyal

8.      Trustworthy

9.      Good listener

10.  Humorous

11.  Persistent

12.  Emotionally intelligent

13.  Driven

14.  Peacemaker

15.  Relatable

Professional Strengths

1.      Positive

2.      Flexible

3.      Problem solver

4.      Independent

5.      Compassionate

6.      Trustworthy

7.      Good listener

8.      Quick learner

9.      Punctual

10.  Team player

11.  Persistent

12.  Emotionally intelligent

13.  Driven

14.  Peacemaker

15.  Relatable

 

 

I will be challenged as a problem solver at my field placement in a few ways.  I have learned that as social workers we need to partner with our clients and not solve all their “problems”.  If I get the opportunity to do an intake form or anything else I will need to keep myself in check and try not to just solve their problems, but to build a relationship and create an equal partnership. 

I would classify myself as a pretty relatable person, and I think I will be challenged because of how sensitive of a situation these clients are living in.  I will need to be flexible and creative in how I connect with them.  I can relate with people I know because I have experienced similar things, but this will not be effective in how I can relate to clients.  I need to find a professional way to relate with my future clientele.