Mine was definitely worrying about whether I was saying the “right” thing. When I first started, I would think a lot about how I worded things and whether I was handling conversations the way I was supposed to. Now I think I’m much more focused on getting to the point: Do you understand what needs to happen next? Do you understand what the court is going to expect? And do you understand that I’m probably advocating for you more than you realize? I’ve learned that being transparent can actually be one of the best ways to advocate for someone. I’ll tell families what the court is likely going to want to see from me and what I’m going to have to report back. I’ve also gotten into the habit of talking about negative behaviors through hypothetical parents instead of immediately putting it on the person in front of me. Like, “If I had a parent who continued to do X, this is what I would be concerned about...” It lets me be very direct without making the conversation feel like an attack. I think early on I was worried about saying everything perfectly. Now I care more about whether the person leaves the conversation knowing exactly where they stand and what they can do next.

Welcome, I'm glad you're here! It's awesome to have someone joining us all the way from Invercargill; our community just became a little more international. 😊 One thing I've learned is that this profession isn't about how quickly you accumulate knowledge; it leans more towards curiosity. The fact that you're excited to learn tells me you're already starting with the right mindset. Congratulations on your first placement! I hope this community becomes a place where you can ask questions, share experiences, and learn some of the "hidden curriculum" that doesn't always get taught in school. Looking forward to hearing how your placement goes!

@Audrey Bonasich Thank you, Audrey! 😊 That really means a lot to hear. As you continue through the course, I'd love to hear which concept or insight stands out to you the most.

Welcome, Claire! It's great to have you here, and thank you for introducing yourself. Your experience in social work brings a tremendous depth of perspective to this community. The work you've done in elder abuse and family violence over the past decade is especially valuable, and I'm excited to learn from your insights. I also love that you're joining us from New Zealand. One of my goals for this community is to bring together social workers from different systems and countries so we can learn from one another's experiences. Looking forward to hearing more of your observations and lessons from the field. Welcome aboard! – Peter