Represented myself in an expulsion hearing and beat the case

[u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

Dinner: falafel plate. Are you supposed to combine everything? I always do.

Either way, I almost got expelled. I found out I was getting referred to the expulsion committee in July.
I’m in graduate school getting my MSW and my focus is in child welfare.

I got referred to the Academic Concerns Board at my school because I got fired from one internship and I quit another one. Both times, I felt unsupported in my roles as a foster care worker and intern.

I was heavily burnt out at the first internship and eventually got fired for testing positive for marijuana (I think they just wanted an excuse to fire me because most people in the office smoked). Either way, I have my medical marijuana card so I still got unemployment and life moved on.

The second organization I was placed with is extremely conservative and currently having a mass exodus of staff due to their new “statement of faith” which requires all employees to sign a statement to work there which says they believe in the teachings of Jesus, marriage is only between a man and a woman, there’s only two genders, and you don’t support abortion. So, naturally, I wanted to get the fuck out of there and I requested a new placement. My school reluctantly agreed after my professor initially told me I was “running away” from the situation and this was “my calling” in social work to work for this bigoted child welfare agency.

Me and my professor stopped getting along after this interaction and it all went downhill from there.

Because two placements went awry, my field professor referred me to the Director of Field to determine if I could stay in the program and she recommended I be “discharged” due to “unprofessional conduct and not following technical standards”. I never talked to this woman or met her in my life and she wanted to expel me because my professor said I missed meetings with my her (which is true), I vape in my car on my lunch break, and they have concerns about me completing field in general. I was informed I could not start field again until we had a hearing. The hearing was October 5 and they told me I could bring an “attorney or advisor”. That’s when it truly dawned on me I was getting expelled.

I was a paralegal in my past life before I pursued social work, so in my defense I compiled an 8 page statement with 77 exhibits that corresponded to support my position that I was justified, or at least not solely at fault, for the reasons these placements didn’t work out.

I went to the hearing and they rolled me over the coals and I fought for my life. I detailed the inaccurate dates in the referral, the butting heads with my professor all semester, the testing positive for marijuana, the bigoted agency that won’t let LGBTQIA families adopt or foster children. I argued and advocated for myself for two hours.

The hearing results came back and I am not getting expelled and I get to resume field right away. They’re going to do a registration override to get me back into my internship and I am finally getting back on track.

This was genuinely traumatizing and I don’t know how I kept on keeping on throughout the waiting period and the process of it all but I did it. And I won.

I just kept thinking of the quote, “doing it scared is just as brave”.

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[u/MeFolly]

How in blazes did any organization that requires you to sign that kind of religious loyalty oath get approved for internships anyway?

I won’t even buy chicken from a place like that.

[u/NotLucasDavenport → u/MeFolly]

I work in child welfare and I’ve noticed that there is SUCH a huge need for our services that a lot of sketchy religious stuff survives where it normally wouldn’t. I can’t say for sure why, but my personal theory is that in the US religion is still seen as a shorthand for “respectable” or “trustworthy.” That’s quite clearly not true or okay, it’s just my feeling from what I’ve seen (I am a secular person working for a supposedly faith based organization and I Have Opinions).

[u/JustFourLetters → u/NotLucasDavenport]

This is my experience as well, not professionally, but I was loudly queer as a kid and religiosity played a part in my upbringing. Basically, not matter the truth, if you claimed to be a Christian org, have a cross on the wall with maybe a Jesus saves message, and have a clean building, you could get money from any Christian without much more effort. Also, advertising was generally cheap to free, such as through ‘ministry’

[u/bebemochi → u/NotLucasDavenport]

I can attest to this as well. My family lawyer when I (with my now ex-husband) was adopting my daughter warned me that the lady doing the home check would ask me what church I went to. He advised me to lie - say I was still looking for the best place for me and my family. In response she gave me a stack of informational pamphlets from churches she considered worthy and I thanked her and Jesus profusely. I got to adopt. Sadly I have raised my child as a heathen lol.

[u/Few_Swan_3672 → u/NotLucasDavenport]

There have been a couple federal court cases about this in the last year. The current administration's religious push, rollback of equality, and court cases that have also allowed a lot of state and fed money to be fed into these organizations regardless of discrimination because they are religious. And child welfare orgs are struggling in general to meet needs.

[u/f4eble → u/MeFolly]

I graduated vet tech school and had a horrible internship during my last semester that I reviewed terribly and they're still being used as a place to send interns. This place declaws cats, doesn't wear gowns or masks in surgery, slams cats onto examination tables while scruffing them, and doesn't even monitor during surgery. I was supposed to be there for my surgery rotations and I basically just stood there because they had no monitoring equipment or a way to record vitals on a chart. I reported them to my director and she didn't even care. I guess academics don't care if your internship location is shit for some reason.

[u/Zealousideal_Let_439 → u/f4eble]

Bestie is an X-ray tech, and we were living together during her internships.

The stories I have heard could fill a bestselling book, and I'm sure she hasn't told me everything (though one was TWO AND A HALF HOURS AWAY, EACH WAY so we talked on the phone every night as she drove home to keep her awake.)

Yeah, all of those places are still in rotation. The professors say they don't have enough places to put students, so they don't care.

[u/GloomChampion → u/f4eble]

Did you report this to the vet licensure board? They would investigate 

[u/secretactorian → u/f4eble]

Please name and shame. 

[u/FXRCowgirl → u/f4eble]

Oh my goddess! That is gross malpractice.

[u/Decent-Pirate-4329 → u/f4eble]

😮

[u/wheres_the_stapler → u/MeFolly]

I won’t even buy chicken from a place like that

How do I make this my flair lol

[u/winter_moon_light → u/MeFolly]

They whine and cry and throw a massive tantrum about being discriminated against for their religious beliefs otherwise, and it works because somewhere around half of the current political leadership in the country are christofascists or fellow travellers and schools are either compliant or unwilling to have the resulting legal fight.

[u/MeFolly → u/winter_moon_light]

It is one thing to operate according to religious principles, and another to require every employee to profess that their beliefs align entirely with yours.

[u/Global-Note6466 → u/MeFolly]

Very well put. I’ve worked for faith orgs and definitely not believed their beliefs.

[u/alansjenn → u/MeFolly]

Sounds sadly familiar. I live in Utah, btw.

[u/geekyheart225 → u/MeFolly]

This is why we don't patronize Chikfila

[u/disdainfulboomer → u/MeFolly]

My question is how is that legal?? Isn't that discrimination based on religion if someone doesn't sign??

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[u/angelakay1966 → u/MeFolly]

I see what you did there! 🍗

[u/pancakeg]

Congrats! I assist grad students with exactly this type of thing so I love hearing about a win!

[u/SeaworthinessJumpy95 → u/pancakeg]

It is incredible to be a support to people through their struggles in grad school. GRAD SCHOOL IS SO FREAKING HARD LOL. Undergrad was a BREEZE compared to graduate school, and my school expects a lot out of us. My advisor gave me hope and was on my side and that empowered me. Good for you for engaging in that type of work!

[u/Hesitation-Marx → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

What did your advisor have to say about that farcical attempt at expulsion?

[u/SeaworthinessJumpy95 → u/Hesitation-Marx]

My advisor said she’s really proud of me and she’s excited to continue working with me. Everyone in the administration seems really supportive and I don’t have to work with that professor EVER AGAIN. Lol

[u/PavlichenkosGhost → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

Woohoo 🙌🏼

[u/mittenbird → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

an advisor who’s got your back is worth their weight in gold ❤️

[u/LucyJordan614]

Self Advocacy ferocity ✅
Documentation game tight ✅
Standing 10 toes down on principles ✅
Giving those who abuse their power a 🖕✅

WELCOME TO SOCIAL WORK, you’re made for this shit 🙌🙌🙌

[u/SeaworthinessJumpy95 → u/LucyJordan614]

😭🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺❤️‍🩹 I have severe imposter syndrome and I feel very “green” as a social worker so this means so much to me.

[u/snep-kitten → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

Something a social worker recently told me: only people of worth in their field experience imposter syndrome. People who aren't good and don't care don't experience that self doubt, reflection, or desire to be better. It's a sucky mark of pride, but it absolutely is one.

[u/Va1kryie → u/snep-kitten]

I originally heard this idea in reference to being trans, basically cis people don't constantly wonder if they're the right gender or just faking, I still get imposter syndrome for a ton of stuff but I try to take it as a sign of competence or at least that I'm not being reckless.

[u/LucyJordan614 → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

As I was reading your story I was literally - out loud - saying “YESSSS” several times, lol. You have to be tenacious af to fight the battle you just won, and I say that as a 10 year veteran. You’re going to kick ass.

[u/Daffodils28 → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

Bravery is being scared and doing it anyway.

You. Are. Very. Brave.

💐

Edit: thank you u/elljemm for the award! 💐

[u/Trulio_Dragon → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

You are the kind of social worker I would hope to have in my corner.

[u/jupchurch97 → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

You sound a lot like my sister. Trust me, you're gonna do great out there in the field. In any profession you're gonna go through the green phase, but it sounds like you already possess the tenacity and perseverance to learn and grow.

[u/oneinamyelinnn → u/LucyJordan614]

Absolutely! You made my social worker heart overflow with pride at this! You are going to be amazing!! Everyone in my MSW program had imposter syndrome (myself included). While I can’t speak to my own performance, I can say all my classmates rocked, and absolutely deserved to be in the field. They need to be reported to the CSWE though. Immediately! If I had been stuck in a placement like that, I wouldn’t have even needed to ask to switch to a different one. My professors would’ve been up in arms, and pulled me themselves. Not to mention blacklist the agency. Your school failed you in a major way!

[u/Cat_Lady3000 → u/oneinamyelinnn]

I agree with this so much. She does need to report it because you cannot place students in internships in these situations. This is wrong on so many levels!

[u/emgauge → u/LucyJordan614]

This situation sucks so much, but I think OP has learned more practical skills from this defense than he/she/they will from any internship. A+

[u/regal_meagle → u/LucyJordan614]

Yessss!! 25 years in the field and I’m so impressed and proud! OP is going to be a kick ass SW :)

[u/LucyJordan614 → u/regal_meagle]

Hell yeah, she is 🙌🙌🙌

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[u/GnomieOk4136]

Congratulations! I fail to see how the bigoted agency is in accordance with an MSW program's professional ethics.

[u/SeaworthinessJumpy95 → u/GnomieOk4136]

YUUUUUUP. I told my professor I’m bisexual and my partner is gender nonconforming and her face was just blank. Like it didn’t register to her that gay and trans people are marginalized and oppressed, she didn’t understand the gravity of what they were doing and then when she met with her supervisor it suddenly became “we will get you to a safer placement!”

[u/Odd-Adhesiveness-656 → u/GnomieOk4136]

I'm betting she is at a University in the South...dollars to donuts it's the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Went through the EXACT same thing during my undergrad.

[u/SeaworthinessJumpy95 → u/Odd-Adhesiveness-656]

I’m scared to disclose which school but it’s one of the top ten schools in the country and one of the most sought after MSW programs available due to its ability to be taken online. I love my school and I’m proud of my school but this was a terrifying experience and I truly thought my ass was GRASS.

[u/Odd-Adhesiveness-656 → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

Yeah...NASW needs to look at some of their "top schools" because crap like this is rampant!

[u/disdainfulboomer → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

Damn, is it Troy University?? I withdrew from there after an /attempt/ and they're telling me I owe them 3k in "withdrawal fees". Meanwhile, none of my professors even sent an email when went MIA for 2 weeks.

[u/LunarBadger294 → u/GnomieOk4136]

right?? social work is literally about advocating for vulnerable people, so how does an agency with those policies fit into that? and the professor calling it her “calling” to work there instead of respecting her concerns is wild. glad she stood her ground tbh

[u/Moon-Foraging]

Doing it scared is the ultimate act of bravery, its courage itself. You are fucking amazing. You did all that.

[u/Huge-Ad-193 → u/Moon-Foraging]

Yea I was going to say that too. Being brave is being scared but doing the thing anyway. And you did OP so good job!

[u/sentimentaleyes → u/Huge-Ad-193]

Yep! If it’s not something that scares you it doesn’t really require bravery!

[u/blooming_lichen → u/Moon-Foraging]

Absolutely! The conscience decision to proceed with the defense and standing up for what she believes in is courageous. OP will do great things.

[u/nocturnalswan]

Hell yeah girl. I’m a lawyer and would’ve told you to get a lawyer bc that is absolute bullshit and your university is opening itself up to liability pulling shit like this. I’m so glad you didn’t have to go that route and were able to fight back on your own. That is a HUGE accomplishment and speaks volumes as to your competency as an advocate for yourself and others.

[u/tuigdoilgheas]

If you weren't scared, bravery wouldn't even be required.  Good job.  

[u/cassiefox28]

Commenting just to add: i know where you left because I just got outta there and girl GOOD FOR YOU. Fuck that business. They THINK they'll get better funding by doing so, and instead they're losing staff and families left and right 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 (sad time for social work, but there is no room for bigotry in child welfare)

[u/nowwhatdoidowiththis]

In fact. Doing something while scared is the DEFINITION of brave. Ya ain’t brave if ya ain’t scared.

I’m so proud of you holding your own! You GO girl!!

[u/JustFourLetters]

Are they doing any investigations into the professor that put you into this position or is there tenure here?

[u/SeaworthinessJumpy95 → u/JustFourLetters]

I think she’s tenured but I want to file a complaint through the university

[u/ofcgoodnamesaretaken → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

You should report that Christian place to the equal employment whatever. I report job listings all the time that require a “relationship with Jesus”

And congrats!

[u/wheres_the_stapler → u/ofcgoodnamesaretaken]

If it's a religious nonprofit org, they are kinda allowed if the role is directly involved in the mission. Like a Christian school can't make being Christian a requirement to hire a janitor but they can require that a teacher is. The discrimination laws get weird around religious orgs.

Bottom line really is the university should not have an professional relationship with a place like that, or if they do it should be an optional placement or they should allow students to extract themselves without issue.

[u/JustFourLetters → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

Do it for sure, odds are that jerk is probably religious and that’s incredibly irresponsible behavior from them.

[u/dividezero]

the number of times I've heard stories like this about social work programs is kinda insane considering the work in the real world. seems to be disconnected. it would be wild if you're in the same program most of the social workers i know had to endure though. would probably make me feel better that the tomfoolery was mostly contained to one program more than others but that would be too easy. 🤣

[u/local-melon]

You’re truly inspiring. This is amazing and I am so impressed and proud of you

[u/_ari_ari_ari_]

Oh my god I’ve been in your shoes and at the time I didn’t know anyone else who had been through anything like this and I felt so embarrassed.

Had a falling-out with my graduate advisor because she decided after meeting me twice that I wasn’t a good fit for her program and wrote up a list of grievances that included not taking enough notes during our meetings, occasionally being late to my teaching placement, and having a writing style that was “too journalistic.”

I was in my first semester of graduate school, having some pretty scary mental health issues, and having this woman whose job was supposed to be to mentor me tell me that she thought I was “not cut out for graduate school” after having barely spoken to her was terrifying!

For me I gave up my spot in the teacher cert program without much fight because I was over working with her anyway, but I wqs able to convince them to let me continue in the graduate program without the teaching component so that I could still graduate with a degree in education

Some people just get high on their own power I think and get joy from making other people feel powerless

[u/Delicious-Cycle-4465]

I remember when I was in undergrad for my BSW. I went through something similar. Good for you for standing up for yourself. And i myself, do follow Jesus, and no where in scripture does he force himself on others, it’s a choice. The organization was wrong for having employees do this.

[u/Background_Diamond41]

Congratulations!!!!

[u/SeaworthinessJumpy95 → u/Background_Diamond41]

Thank you. It was the most stressful four months I’ve had in a very long time. And I’ve been incarcerated and institutionalized against my will 😭🥺💀💀💀💀

[u/Background_Diamond41 → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

You deserve it and then some. I’m sure you’ll make a wonderful social worker. Good luck!!

[u/angelakay1966]

What a harrowing experience. Congratulations on successfully defending yourself.

Are you attending a religious institution for graduate school? If not, why in the world would your program administrators expect you to work somewhere that employees have to sign a statement of faith?

By the way, my favorite quote is from John Wayne: "Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway."

[u/Fit-Programmer-6162]

Your mentor failed you, and the school failed you. As a result they tried to pin it ON you. Pulling from numerous experiences, it isn’t going to be easy for you to continue, not because you aren’t capable, but because the people in power are so incapable (my jaw dropped after hearing you were placed in that internship and that you weren’t back up). You have to prepare yourself for the possibility of people acting out of spite, and throwing roadblocks in your way to make it harder. You have to live with how traumatic it already was. But you did it, you handled yourself admirably against an army of people who wanted to steamroll you, and you fought tooth and nail to keep what is rightfully yours. You know there is nothing wrong with you or what you did. It feels personal, and it seems personal, but swap anybody else out in the same circumstances and they would have done it to them too. Always remember you fought and you won back a seat that is rightfully yours to sit at. Whatever else you do, do it based on what is best for you, and do whatever you can to mentally guard yourself. And give yourself a lot of grace and credit.

[u/Odd_Trouble7605]

My cousin had a similar experience with placements. 

One example: her program had a few international students who didn't speak fluent English yet, so when those students were sent to placement, the placement just had them doing manual labour. They're in a social work program and just moving boxes, never talking to the public or people in the program.

Heinous what these schools can think is acceptable.

Congratulations ×100000000000 for your amazing win here. You're going to be amazing in this career. Thank you.

Edited for spelling and clarity

[u/lowercase_d_]

So sorry you had to go through that but hell yeah for not only beating expulsion but fighting it yourself! Legal background and social work are a fantastic duo for the most vulnerable people who need it. Fuck them placements and the professors.

[u/Alternative_Elk9384]

You are going to be a great social worker. Way to fight!

[u/Dalhara]

"Doing it scared, is just as being Brave"

That hits this morning, thank you.

[u/Environmental_Book43]

This is probably the most badass thing I’ve read in a long time. My sibling does social work. It just baffles me how on earth that professor gets to teach it and not know a major marginalized group and would also be discriminating against you based on you getting fired for something you have a medical accommodation for. WTAF! But you know, in the future anyone abusing their power is gonna hate to see you coming.

[u/physical_sci_teacher]

I am so sorry you had to fight against your wrongful expulsion attempt but so glad you won! Your field director needs to be re-evaluated for their judgment. You are brave and smart and powerful!

[u/Itsjustkit15]

I am so happy for you!! I've also worked with youth in foster care and alongside social workers. It's insane how unsupported you are in those roles.

I'm sorry you had to fight so hard but damn girl, get after it!!! You're going places and you've got this.

Congrats 💅🏼

Edit: doing it scared makes you MORE brave!!!

[u/dimsummami]

I went through something similar in my MSW experience too. Unpaid internships are so exploitative and schools care way too much about their working relationship with these agencies. The 2nd agency is breaking NASW code of ethics too

[u/Orion-Key3996]

Well if you can do that well representing yourself, imagine how well you can be the voice for a child.

[u/NeenyahHayneen]

You’re damn tough. I love that for you and your future clients!!!

[u/Bitter-Narwhal-36]

You literally advocated for yourself. You are the person the foster system needs in particular and social services in general. 

[u/lilacnyangi]

oh my god, you are AMAZING. this random internet strange is so proud of you, and you're going to go so far in your profession and change lives for the better. i'm certain of it ♡

keep your head up, queen! i'm rooting for you!

[u/Medusa_7898]

Congratulations! I’m glad you were not railroaded and that the school ultimately supported you. I’d be angry too but try to look at the prize as you wrap things up.

[u/uwshitgibbon]

this post made my day, big fuckin props to you for refusing to let them steamroll you and standing your ground!!!!!!! hope that falafel was CRISP and DELECTABLE

[u/multipocalypse]

That sounds absolutely awful but goddamn, you fucking did that!! How fortuitous that you had past experience that helped you plead your case!

[u/Drafting-]

If there was justice in world they’d have apologized too but I’m glad you won your case. Very proud of you!

[u/Cherrygodmother]

Im so glad I came across this post this morning! IM SO DAMN PROUD OF YOU!! This got me all hyped (it also got me quite pissed off for you too) but mostly I’m just so damn proud of you. For taking the situation in hand and speaking truth to power. You are exactly who we need working in social work!

[u/mapotoful]

What happens with your professor though? Are you stuck with them?

[u/Acegonia]

You are absolutely a badass and have 200%of my respect!

[u/Ok-Raspberry-8099]

And people wonder why it's so hard to have social services. My friend does stuff like this and he's burnt out already after 2 years of work.

[u/mittenbird]

congratulations! you are exactly the kind of person that we need in social work, and this stranger is so proud of you for advocating for yourself. the professor and both of these internship placements sound SO out of touch with the reality of what people are actually facing.

you are going to save lives out there, and the children you work with will be so fortunate to have you in their corner.

[u/NEBanshee]

May I offer this reframe: Doing it scared is the ESSENCE of bravery!

May I offer the wisdom of Camina Drummer from The Expanse

"This is your moment. You may think that you're scared, but you're not. That isn't fear. That's your sharpness. That's your power!"

[u/CeilingCatProphet]

Congratulations

[u/WitchofGremlinEnergy]

I think you're amazing. I wish I had half your resolve and bravery.

[u/MargotFenring]

I am so proud of you! That took guts AND brains.

[u/mzmm123]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

[u/July_snow-shoveler]

👍🏽

[u/bellegroves]

Doing it scared is the only kind of brave. You are amazing. Way to go!

[u/wrknprogress2020]

👑👑 keep going! I recently graduated with my MSW and my generalist internship was TOXIC. I had to strongly advocate for myself and in the end my supervisor looked dumb. My school was very supportive of me though. Clinical internship was a MUCH better experience for me. This degree is tough, it really challenges us to tap into new or hidden talents within us and while pursuing this degree it can be so empowering. Keep advocating for yourself because this will make you a stronger advocate for those you serve 😊

[u/Otney]

Bravo!!!!

[u/WifeofBath1984]

You're a bad ass and an inspiration! So happy for you!

[u/PassionfruitBaby2]

Woohoo!!! Congratulations you strong human you!! Tough cookie 🍪

[u/mythicaljayde]

I'd argue that 'doing it scared' is more brave, since it wouldn't take any bravery at all if you thought anything would be a cakewalk.

Congrats on your success in advocating for yourself and good luck to you in your career of advocating for others. You sound like you'll be great.

[u/majiktodo]

The kids who you help in the future are going to be so, so lucky. Bring this energy to your career and you will save so many lives.

[u/possumg1rl]

This is inspiring as hell. Good for you.

[u/ohemkelz]

As a recent MSW graduate myself, I am so sorry for this experience, however can I please say how incredibly proud I am of you for advocating for yourself? You did an amazing job, and it's my belief that this field needs more like you.

[u/MullberryBoy]

Congratulations! I think doing it scared is braver!

[u/1961tracy]

I worked in dependency court, good for you for you for taking them on and succeeding.

[u/Frosty-Cucumber-8939]

Heck yeah!!!

[u/River_Elysia]

You must be so proud of yourself. You should be. That sounds hard and scary and you did it (1) well and (2) by yourself. You're going to be an amazing social worker. We need more of them like you.

[u/Zealousideal_Let_439]

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!

[u/Less_Wealth5525]

Congratulations! The people who help will have a fighter on their side!

[u/winter_moon_light]

Congratulations, and if you bring half that fire to taking care of your clients, you're going to be amazing in the field. :)

[u/archmageofsalt]

Hell yes!! Fuck it up and keep it coming!

[u/East-Block-4011]

Congratulations!

[u/PintoOct24]

Yo, an internet stranger is proud of you. That’s fantastic work advocating for yourself. I’m truly glad it worked out for you. Best wishes moving forward. I hope you find a decent place for field work.

[u/kissmemary]

You fucking rock??

[u/keencleangleam]

So happy and proud of you! Congrats!

[u/Wolfblaine]

Grats, girlie.  You are my today's inspiration to keep fighting through the mud! Thank you!

[u/heartpiss]

Woooo you did it!! I also had issues with my school during my counseling masters, I snatched up that diploma so fast! You’d think counselor faculty would be understanding but they can really be hypocritical sometimes

[u/Pepsiscrub]

You did it, that’s so amazing congrats. But maybe in the future, don’t miss meetings with your professor if they’re asking you to meet. If you’re missing those, you’re handing them ammunition. They clearly were giving you enough rope to hang yourself, and you were lucky you caught on and could read between the lines.

[u/SeaworthinessJumpy95 → u/Pepsiscrub]

I was working full time, taking night classes, attending to my personal life, and having endless meetings with my professor and she hated me because I rescheduled the first one last minute and then forgot about another. It’s a lot of moving pieces but is it really expulsion worthy? Idk. But I learned my lesson. I will be the MOST punctual student for the last 10 months of my program 😭😭😭😭

[u/Pepsiscrub → u/SeaworthinessJumpy95]

If they want you out, they absolutely will make it expulsion-worthy. I would go totally maliciously compliant. I would be the most punctual, smile, wave all of it because it will drive them nuts 😂🤣

[u/archive_minded]

hell yes!

[u/herecomestherebuttal]

I’m inspired by this and so proud of you! Way to advocate for yourself - it’s not always easy to do.

[u/Marpleface]

Damn girl you did that! Congratulations on this win!

[u/majiktodo]

You are a legend!

[u/Typically_Basically]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Way to go. Tenacious.

[u/Resident_Moose_8634]

We need social workers who are passionate enough to fight for their education like this. I'm so glad you were able win your case. You will be an amazing advocate some day. I wish you the best.

[u/Cat_Lady3000]

Wow that is amazing OP!!! Go you!!!! I really am rooting for you to graduate and get out there because you are exactly who we need working in that field. Well done.

[u/No-Lifeguard9194]

I’m so glad for you and angry for you at the same time!!

[u/mattpit]

Man. It looks like a lot of people can relate to your experience and I am one of them. Got sexually harassed by my co-therapist in my field and had to switch. lucky my advisor was very supportive, but the intern head at the field placement gaslit me and pretended it was my fault i felt unsupported because i didn’t “bring up the harassment” again after reporting it to her. She never mentioned it and acted cold to me, so I had assumed she wasn’t allowed to talk about it until i heard from her boss that she had been told to check in with me and support me. My field advisor said “not everyone gets along” as if that was an excuse for an intern supervisor mistreating and diminishing the harassment of a supervisee. Laurel if you’re reading this, you suck almost as much as the guy who harassed me :) 

[u/handbagqueen-]

As a lawyer I love this—

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[u/matconbca → u/madame-maitre-d]

Dude

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[u/Ecthelion510]

Girl, doing is scared is BRAVER!
Congrats on advocating for yourself. This is exactly the kind of fortitude your future clients will need!

[u/Cheesehurtsmytummy]

You are incredible, well done for advocating for your beliefs and rights, you're exactly the kind of heart that is needed in social work!

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[u/kirday]

Nevertheless she persisted.

[u/No_Macaron_5029]

Holy crap. This program needs to be burned to the ground, honestly. Maybe after you graduate so it doesn't affect your academic standing.

[u/Lemon_lemonade_22]

Holy shit, girl! Congratulations!

You've done so well and you'll be such a blessing for all the clients you encounter. BRAVO!

[u/Suspicious_Map4419]

You're so smart and you're gonna do amazing things in life.

Also, drop the name of the bigoted agency 👀👀

[u/ScheanaShaylover]

You will be an amazing advocate! Great job!!!!

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[u/VegetablePlans]

Doing it scared is bravER

[u/Imsortofok]

You fought the law and the law….

LOST!!

Good job.

[u/Page-Born]

Obviously this situation sucks to be in but good for you???? You should VERY proud of yourself

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[u/ButterscotchExpert80]

Are you in Texas by chance? I quit my msw program under circumstances caused by the current regime. 

[u/fblinders13]

You should feel very proud of yourself

[u/bumblebee0512]

You have the heart of the type of social worker we need more of in the system, I'm rooting for you!!

[u/andgonow]

I’ll argue that you can’t be brave WITHOUT FIRST being scared. I’m really proud of you, it really does sound super traumatic. I’m sure you’ve spent a lot of money, time and effort investing in this, and I’m really proud of you for working so hard to defend yourself, especially in the midst of what I can only imagine to be mine boggling terror. ❤️‍🩹

[u/ccsparkles]

Great job OP!!!!!!!!!! You did it!!!!!! Hell yeah!!!!

That’s bs, as an adult you can be picky in what job you accept and for who, to be forced to work for the extremely-conservative-sign-your-life-away-to-Jesus internship is not appropriate. Sure for a student who aligns with that stunted logic may thrive there, but that’s not a placement for any general student. Sure in life it’s good to be exposed to many ways of thinking, but that’s doesn’t mean working and disrespecting your personal morals to do so.

I hope you rock the next one. Vaping and marijuana should only be a problem if you’re doing it on the job…you’re free time is yours assuming it’s legal where you live?! People that drink after work aren’t fired for it…..

[u/PastelAnemone]

girl you are so fucking beast mode for this i want to have an ounce of bravery as you did through this

[u/lololy3]

Doing it scared is more than brave, imo. Good on you!! Best of luck for the future!

[u/AggravatingTomato159]

This makes me feel extremely confident in your ability to advocate for those in your care because of how uncompromising you were about what matters most to you. Hell yeah!!! You’re the change in this field that I’d love to see, good job!!!

[u/co-ghost]

I feel like you are going to be an excellent advocate for the people you work with in your placement and future career. There are so many people in minor positions of authority (and major ones) that just see everything as a hassle and would rather continue the broken status quo than actually serve the public and improve shit, you have to be tenacious to get past them to secure the resources you need to help people.

[u/LDS1952]

I used to give to a children’s home formerly sponsored by the United Methodist Church until it was taken over by Christian Fundamentalists who restricted adoption to Christian families. Ridiculous nonsense preventing loving people from adopting children.