Honestly, sometimes I get so jaded about my job. I think I’m one of the only (if not the only) eligibility workers who has social work education. (Obviously it’s possible to be a decent human being without that, but I’ve learned so much about working with vulnerable populations and advocacy!) Sometimes I’m so excited to graduate just so I can move on to another job with like-minded people. So many of my coworkers are alarmingly judgmental of our clients and it’s pretty toxic sometimes. I know, I know, everyone feels overworked and underpaid. I do too. But I can’t stand laziness at work, or snide comments about why people can’t just get a job. And sometimes at work I feel stuck and like I can’t make a difference.
But then I get on tumblr, and see posts from users like @askawelfarecaseworker and @welfareworker and social work blogs and I’m just reminded that my job IS important, I AM helping people, and there are other welfare workers our there who are great at what they do. It’s so validating to see other welfare workers who care about social justice and advocating for clients.
Aw, thanks!
I'm not gonna lie... It's a tough job. Between clients working the system, clients pulling at your heart strings, and jaded coworkers... It's tough. I've laughed and cried alongside my clients, and I've gotten into arguments with coworkers.
SO many other workers are jaded. I used to be. After trying so hard, and finding out a client lied I was angry. I lost my faith in people. But there is a happy medium. Some workers never find it though.
It's easy to feel like you aren't making a difference. We usually don't get follow up with what happened with our clients. Did they lose their house? Have their baby? Find a safe place?
We do make a difference. We just don't immediately see the results.
Oh, and here, education is about the same. Workers working with people with no children under 18 don't need any education, workers working with families need 30 units of a social science, but many of us do have a degree. Surprisingly, I haven't noticed a big difference in empathy between the groups.














