So, I've been accepted by Durham onto their Master of Social Work programme which begins next week. I'm both excited and hesitant which seems to be the pervading mixture of emotions that accompanies any change in my life. I know all the buzz words, I've had the experience in social care settings and done my research. But do I really know what's ahead, what's in store for starry eyed wannabe social workers? Frankly no, and I'm scared. But that is a positive attitude I think; if I faced this change believing that I knew it all, confidently assured that I could solve everyone's problems then I would be deluding myself. Aside from being terribly arrogant, reality would hit pretty hard I imagine. Don't misread me, if I thought I had nothing to give and couldn't cope then I would not have applied. As it is I have everything to learn and a resilience of character that I hope will grow.
And I do want to be a part of empowering people to change their situations and impact their own future. Ah, a buzz word. I had to slip one in somewhere and I really do believe that this bare bones of social work, empowering people, does make a difference. Social work has gone from meeting needs to helping people identify their own needs and take control. From giving an orphan some bread to providing the framework within which that orphan can provide for themselves. It's messy, it goes wrong, people will be people. I want a job that deals with people. I'm also not so naive as to think social work is so simple. What happens when people don't want to change, don't want the responsibility of their own lives, when they cannot, what happens when they don't like social workers intruding? I'm sure I'll find out.
