Right now, i'm a graduate student, and I am attempting to get my degree in Social work. Personality wise, I am a very friendly person, don't have a problem getting along with people, and try to be nice at all times. My classmates have even asked me before if I ever have a bad day... Of course I have bad days, but I try not to let it affect the way I am. Anyway, recently we began doing role play in my classes and one of us will be the social worker, and the other will be the client. During my role play sessions in feedback, my classmates have told me that I am too friendly, and I need to tone it down because this might affect me doing my job. I don't know what to do, because this is just the way I am. And I know I shouldn't take things personally because feedback is just feedback; however, I feel kind of bad about myself because of this. One of my classmates even told me that at his old job doing youth counseling, there was a woman there that was just like me, and that was
2007-09-20 14:50:01 · 4 answers · asked by Class_Act83 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
very friendly and bubbly, and as a result, the people she was counseling didn't take her seriously. I am honestly just this way naturally...my parents have even told me before that I am way too friendly and someone is going to take advantage of that. My question is, how do you change something that is just a part of you? I have always been very friendly, and i've always been taught to be kind and this is how i've tried to live my life. Unfortunately, now it seems to backfire, and i'm worried that it might affect me doing my job in the future. How do you stop being yourself? I never thought being friendly was a bad thing...until now, and now it's causing me to doubt my ability to succeed in this career. What do I do?
2007-09-20 14:52:18 · update #1
The key in any human relations work is authenticity. If you really are an upbeat, smiley person then that is you and that is what you need to embrace. However, if a client is in tears and you are upbeat and smiley...that could be a problem...because it would imply that either you were not being authentic or don't have any empathy. I suspect that when people are sad around you, you are able to empathize and be supportive. You might want to demonstrate this during a role play so that your classmates can see your skills in action. DA
2007-09-21 16:37:27 · answer #1 · answered by Dr_Adventure 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep on being yourself. Not everyone will think that way of you and you can use it to your advantage in being able to achieve employment.
When you are working as a social worker you will have limits as to how much you can do for a person. You might as well be friendly, as no client will come back to you if you are not.
These days they can even report you if they feel badly about your advice or the way you have treated them.
It was after all only one of your classmates who said this.
A non judgemental attitude and "unconditional love" etc. etc. are still part of the counselling process are they not?
2007-09-20 22:04:40 · answer #2 · answered by caroline 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lISTENS be yourself and don,t care what others say,they don,t pays your bills. The problems is do you make them take advantage of you. The reason why everyone look out for you is being to good is no good. The time come that you must balance the situations before you acts. I know as Social Worker there alot of bad days coming, so you make the best of it good luck,and don,t let anyone tell you different.
2007-09-20 22:12:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everybody has their own personality , and their life goes the way it goes , for one thing because of the way they are , and also the career they've chose , no two people are the same Thank God , be you you'll eather be good at your job or you won't but smiles won't be the reason you are good or bad
2007-09-20 22:00:37 · answer #4 · answered by darkcloud 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋