Clara Moreau

Responsibilities

My main responsibility was shadowing social work case managers and child protection workers. I attended home visits, initial investigations, home assessments, court hearings, child removals, attorney meetings, etc. I occasionally filled out case notes or visit reports, but my main role was shadowing the social workers and working to obtain my required hours/experience.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment was being very proactive and communicative with all the social workers in order to get as much experience as possible. I also adapted to the intense situations I was encountering, and began learning how to compartmentalize in a job that can be emotionally taxing.

Learning experience

I learned that it is important to take initiative within learning experiences to get the most out of it. You get out what you put in! I also learned that with many human service jobs, you won't really know what it is like until you experience it for yourself. You can't fully prepare yourself for a job like social work, but rather you learn as you go!

What advice would you give?

Take advantage of as many resources as you can while in college! Find an internship that you are passionate about and will help you in deciding what you want to do after college. This experience is so important and can guide you into getting a job you are passionate about post-grad.