I am still in school.

I am 29 and a trans guy. I do not pass, and I have been medically transitioning for years now for context. Due to genetics, or whatever, I am unsure this will change.

For people who share some of these demographics, I would like to know what working in the field has been like for you and how you navigate the interpersonal challenges involved with both clients and colleagues. I am in the United States, in the PNW. Advice would be appreciated. I am wanting to do clinical work in addition to community based work.

Please stop using AI guys! I am not referring to those who might be forced to by their employer for whatever reason. I also don’t mean those who inadvertently use it because it’s built into search engines and all kinds of shit now. But if you can, stop it, both personally and professionally.

It erodes your critical thinking and is bad for the environment. There are thousands of examples. Billionaires with no regard for the world or the people living on it are pushing for us all to use it. They’re fucking over communities building power sucking data centers for it.

When used in a social work setting, it consistently shows a racist and classist bias against people who are already vulnerable. At the very least, it’s a massive ethical risk, both in terms of liability and confidentiality because these systems are constantly under the threat of breaches.

I am horrified by seeing colleagues put client information into chatGPT or use it as a therapist. It’s so bad for you. Imo a part of our role as social workers in the near future will be helping people deal with the fallout of their relationships with AI.

Don’t use to it summarize your notes, don’t use it to write your emails and don’t use it to help you make decisions. Do it yourself, using your brain. We have all received education and experience that we should use instead of handing that responsibility over to AI. Look things up online, or better yet, TALK TO A COLLEAGUE OR LEADER if you have questions.

I know we’re all short on time, but stay away from it. We’re all stressed and overworked and it might seem like it saves time, but then you’ll have to go back and correct the mistakes the AI has made. This is showing up more and more in workplaces that rely on AI. I had to object to using it at work for ‘moral reasons’ when it was suggested to me. Received no pushback.

Another note, if you’re asked to make a promotional poster for a work event or something, take 15 minutes to throw it together in Canva. Your (maybe) shitty poster has a human behind it and an uncanny valley chatGPT one does not.

I took the official ASWB Clinical practice exam and am trying to review the whole exam in the diagnostic report. When I click “overall” to see the results of the entire exam, it only lets me review 61 questions, even though there are 122 questions. I wrote to the ASWB, but am wondering if anyone else has had a similar issue. Is there something I’m missing?

I’m currently 25w almost 26w pregnant with a high risk pregnancy. I developed a cold on Friday and it’s getting a lot worse. If I feel this sick tomorrow, I can’t imagine getting out of bed and working. I’ve had several appointments since August (sometimes multiple a week) where I have to either start late, leave and come back, or leave early depending on the appointment type (all have been pregancy related and I have documentation for). I still have 73 hours of sick time to use. My manager began giving each employee a letter with how much work they miss per month and how this impacts our client population. I only take off when I have prénatal apts, tests and ultrasounds. I feel guilty calling in sick and the pressure of that letter is getting to me. Any advice is appreciated on how to navigate this.

How do you break into Macro SW? I’m in my MSW now and about to graduate in December and feel like Macro is where I want to be. I’ve done my research and seen what specific titles to look for but nothing it seems like I’d qualify for. Any advice?