There I was with all my peers receiving my “diploma;” however, I needed to complete six more credits to receive my MSW…
How was I allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony before being truly finished? My school grants students who are short six or less credits a “dean’s exception” to “walk” at the graduation ceremony with their peers.
The graduation ceremony at my school was both beautiful and touching. It took place in an elegant concert hall and the various speeches provided by the dean, the keynote speaker and others were all inspiring and some even contained some humor.
As might be expected, the speeches contained gold nuggets of advice for us to keep in mind as we begin our journey as trained social workers. The key themes included: social justice, the importance of social work, the opportunity to really make a difference in our world and finally, the need for persistence – not giving up even when facing obstacles.
Interestingly, we were not instructed to line up in alphabetical order. Instead, we were allowed to line up with whomever we wished. This, in turn, meant that I ended up sitting with my best friend in the program, a woman I had met when I first started my MSW. There was something very special in being able to graduate with her alongside me.
My one regret is that I did not have the opportunity to see and/or thank my professors at all or introduce them to my family…there were so many people there and there was such mayhem that I couldn’t find them. I could only seem them from a distance on the stage 🙁 As a result, I will make a point of either writing a note to the professors with whom I had particularly connected or dropping by to see them over the summer.
It was a very strange feeling to “as if” graduate… My peers are experiencing feelings of relief and joy that they completed their studies on the one hand but anxiety and worry, on the other hand, about their upcoming LMSW exam and finding/starting a new job.
And me? I am returning to school on Monday to start my final semester of studies. My official graduation date is at the end of September. Not to “look a gift horse in the mouth,” but my reality almost feels like a bit of a letdown in comparison…
On a happier note, it is possible that I may have an internship for the summer 🙂 Please keep your fingers crossed for me!
Similar to my peers who had no time to look for work during the year, I had no time to devote to looking for an internship. Hence, I had thought that securing one for the summer would be sort of a lost cause at this point.
However, as luck would have it, an HR person from a firm that had piqued my interest at a job fair I had attended this past winter contacted me a couple of weeks ago about a potential internship. Since then, we’ve been “talking” via email back and forth.
Aside from school and the potential internship, my plan is to use this summer for two additional important purposes: 1) studying towards my LMSW exam (the licensing exam for social workers) and 2) finding the right first job.
In reality, as I’m thinking about it, regardless of whether the summer internship pans out, the fact that my official graduation is in September could be seen as an advantage because it is giving me that window of looking for employment while still being in school.
All the same, it still feels a bit odd to me having gone through my graduation ceremony this week and returning to school next week!
Do you have any thoughts on my “as if” graduation and/or advice regarding my next steps in terms of looking for work? Please share them below. I really appreciate your comments 🙂
I can see how you’d have mixed feelings about the graduation that wasn’t/isn’t quite graduation.
I wish you every success in this final term and in pursuing the “Cinderella” of a social work position – one that fits “just right”!
Thanks so much, Marianna 🙂
While there is much need for good mental health, the current job market for recently graduated social workers is rather mixed…
Your best wishes are most appreciated!
Hi Dorlee, it seems like Congratulations are in order just because you “walked”….that’s a big thing in and of itself, right?!
Perhaps the timing of all of this will work out just fine…you can be exploring different opportunities while you are finishing up, and also take some time to network with all different types of people to get new ideas!
I’m curious to know what the potential internship is that the HR person contacted you about.
I have every confidence that you will find the experiences you need to be very successful. Remember….there is not just ONE possible “great job”, but many….and it is only the first step in a long career…the road will lead you to many things, I’m sure.
Wishing you the best always… ~Terry
Hi Terry,
Thanks so much 🙂
Yes, that is my hope…I will share more details about the potential internship in another week or so. I don’t want to jinx it plus the details need to be worked out.
The HR person did not have a specific position in mind but rather asked me what I had in mind and so I proposed various ideas that I thought would be beneficial for the organization and good use of my skills, as well as opportunities for growth…
So in short, it is something still TBD 🙂
You are offering wise advice about how one should look at one’s first position…
With much appreciation for your vote of confidence and best wishes,
Dorlee
Dorlee,
While you are perhaps not completely done with school, this is still just so, so awesome! Just think of where you are today and what you have accomplished in recent times! Big, big congratulations!!
You’re where you are in this program for a reason (I really believe that) – and whatever comes next will take you more fully into this journey you’re on. And that is so, so good…
Big hugs – this is just so cool!!
Dear Dorlee,
You have graduated! That is so exciting.
When I read your post, I could not help but to think that being “as if” graduate will actually prepare you because in this field “we” (psychologists, mental health counselors, therapists, & social workers) are always taking new classes, workshops & seminars to learn new things or to remind us what we already know in the field. “We” are on a journey to learn. So really I think of being an “as if” graduate as no different.
You must be excited to be starting your life long journey in social work? A wonderful accomplishment, Dorlee. By the way, you look beautiful in your pic!
Congratulations Graduate!!!
Dear Laurel,
That is so true…we are on a life long journey in terms of our education.
I definitely plan on continuing to take classes, workshops, seminars…I will also be considering going for training at one of the psychoanalytic institutes.
Yes, I am very excited!
Thanks so much for your wonderful support 🙂
Dear Lance,
I am so happy that you could stop by. You were among the very first to support me in my efforts to start up my blog…which paralleled the official beginning of my studies.
You have been an inspiring friend throughout my journey!
Thanks so much for sharing in my joy, and Big Hugs right back at ya 🙂
Dorlee,
Congratulations! And when Spetember rolls around, I’ll say it again. As far as I’m concerned you are having two graduations! Or as a previous commentator intimated, there is never a graduation in our field…
I’m glad you got to walk with your classmates, and hope you enjoyed the day. And when September rolls around, you’re going to have a lot less competition for jobs.
Looking forward to hearing about the summer internship!
Thanks so much, Mike 🙂
You partially escorted me on my journey to getting my MSW this year by periodically offering some guidance via my blog…
Your words of encouragement and your support along my journey mean/t a lot to me!
Dorlee,
It’s such a treat to see you in your cap and gown! You’re glowing! … and gorgeous!
What a wonderful thing to be granted a ‘dean’s exception,’ to ultimately be able to walk, side by side, with your best friend in the program. That brings chills to me, just thinking about your experience.
Interestingly, in that my life seems to be a lot about fulfilling goals, yet still feeling like parts and sections of those ‘goals’ remain unfinished, I can ‘sort of’ relate to your feeling a bit like an ‘as if’ graduate. I’m finding, the older I get, the more incomplete I feel, yet satisfyingly rich in results.
That’s how I read your story; you have achieved SO many accomplishments along the way to this walk down the aisle … and even though you have 6 more credits to complete to garner the ‘diploma,’ your journey will always be evolving (as at least one of your commenters alluded to, I believe). We never really ‘graduate’ in our careers, and thus, though the ceremonies in our lives are momentous, it really is about the day-to-day travels and hurdles and finish lines we cross in between that seem to matter most.
All this to say, I’m so HAPPY for you, and for your many, MANY victories – witnessing you work through, comment upon and tell stories about your Social Work Career Development adventure has been a pleasure. I look forward to reading more of your story in the coming months and years.
Warmly,
Jacqui
Oh wow, Jacqui,
I feel your joy for me…It’s jumping off the page 🙂
You are so very kind…Thank you so much for your lovely words of encouragement and support – not just now but throughout my journey at school and in the development of my blog.
One inevitably hits road bumps along one’s travel through life and having had you (and Terry) cheering me on from the nearly the very beginning has really meant a lot to me.
I remember one of your posts about the importance of having a board of encouragers, so to speak. I feel that I have been blessed with you as being one of my encouragers and I am ever so grateful.
I too look forward to reading your posts and hearing about your journey; I not only enjoy them but I learn SO much from them. And they will be particularly relevant as I now enter the job market!
Sending you a big hug,
Warmly,
Dorlee
big hugs to ya mate, if you are ever in London drop by for a coffee and a natter 🙂 Noel
Thanks so much, Noel 🙂
Definitely – I probably visit London every couple of years…and it would be so nice to have the chance to meet both you and cb face-to face!
Dorlee,
Congrats on “walking” with your graduating class! You just have a short way to go to being an official MSW. I would really embrace the extra time to explore job/career options while taking those last credits…and it sounds as if this will also give you some time to get in another internship experience, which could be very beneficial. So, I say EMBRACE the extra time.
Regards, Linda
Linda,
Your suggestion to EMBRACE this extra time to explore my career options while taking my remaining credits is such a great one.
I definitely will try to make the most of this extra time 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind wishes and sage advice!
Best,
Dorlee
Wonderful graduation photo of you, Dorlee!
We have many students (all of our part time students) who go through this “as if” graduation…I’ve often wondered how it felt to them.
I totally agree with Linda about embracing your extra time…internship or not. If the internship doesn’t work out, you might use the time exploring some online therapy/mental health experiences. For example, when I taught our groups course I had students find an online group (listserv, chat, bulletin board, etc.) that they could join to learn more about this form of mutual aid. You can either join one that you qualify for (for example, friends of people with cancer), or go to an “open” group (open to the public). I’ve been to open AA meetings and have joined many other types of groups. There’s a lot you can learn from these type of experiences.
Thanks so much, Nancy 🙂
It was about a year ago that I met you via my blog/twitter and you have been such a good friend and mentor to me ever since…I am ever so grateful for all the valuable advice and guidance that you have given me.
It has helped me immeasurably… this can even be seen in the very kind note that my practice teacher wrote on my final paper in which she not only gave me an A+, but said that I was in the top 5 of the class because I had successfully integrated the material from practice (field), class (theory) and my own self-awareness.
Much of this integration is thanks to having been able to “talk” and get your input on various therapeutic issues that came up during my second year placement.
With much warmth and appreciation,
Dorlee
I just “found” you through your twitter account. I recall when I was gradating from social work school. About three months prior to graduation I decided to explore the job market. I interviewed the director of social work from a local hospital and he offered me a job for when I graduate. It was quite fortuitous. While it was not the best position, it was a great learning opportunity in many ways.
If I read correctly between the lines, you seem like a person who enjoys finding the opportunities to learn and advance. I am sure that this junction in your life will turn out to be not only critical, but also exciting and determinative.
With your permission, I will explore some of your other on-line presence. I expect that your professional trajectory from here on will be an exciting one to follow.
Ari Hahn (LCSW)
Hi Ari,
It is nice to meet you 🙂 Thanks for sharing how you found your very first social work job.
Yes, you have read me correctly…I do have a passion for learning and increasing my skills.
And I am most excited about the steps to follow!
Thanks so much for your vote of confidence and for planning to accompany me, so to speak, along my journey through my blog.
You will have much wisdom and guidance to offer…and I will most be most appreciative when you are able to stop by.
Wow..I can’t believe it’s been a year that we’ve known each other Dorlee! I also really value our relationship. Your passion for learning is inspiring–you are a natural integrator of all that you learn. It’s been gratifying to watch you develop as a social worker. Please know that I am honored to have played some part in your growth and that I’m grateful for our connection.
For my part, I don’t think I’ve ever told you how much I’ve learned from you, especially about Twitter and blogging–just by watching what you do. I also very much appreciate the personal support you’ve offered me these last few months. My job can be a very isolating and lonely one, so the support is really wonderful.
I look forward to having you as a colleague!!
Thanks so much, Nancy
Your words really mean a lot to me. I’m getting all teary-eyed reading this…and you know that I don’t normally cry…
Sending you a big hug,
Dorlee