Each one of us has a reason for having chosen the profession that we are in. Either there is a story, an incident or a person whom we revere, or following the footsteps of someone to join the profession. Some others hop from one profession to another till they find a profession completely aligned with their values. There is a category that landed in a profession against their choice and then fell in love with the work they do. Is there a financial advantage - maybe? One has to do research to find answers to why a person is in a profession.
My interest is to find what inspires people to become social service workers? We have noticed how the community is rallying every day to recognise the “above and beyond” contribution by the front line workers in the pandemic situation we have been facing for the last few months. Their work has been stressful and taxing on their physical and emotional health. Day in and day out, they are back in their work places tending to those who need them. For me, finding inspiration in the work people do leads me to setting goals and defining measures in my work as a human resource professional.
One of my neighbours is 83 years old, living by herself, tending to her needs quite well. Another one responded yesterday to a “Happy Birthday” wish on LinkedIn on his 89th birthday. I am overjoyed to see them in high spirit and healthy. There is one activity common to both of them. A social worker is with them every day checking their welfare and communicating with them. To be honest, initially, I had thought that they were relatives looking after them. It is the pandemic restrictions where we wished to check if they needed anything when they spontaneously responded that their support were those selfless workers who turn up every day. They were looking after them doing everything within the parameters of their job descriptions. I was amazed that even in the “lockdown” period and following the right precautions during this pandemic, they are always available to these elders who depended on them.
I find such devotion to duty inspirational. Witnessing exceptional work, behaviour, action pushes the comfort envelope and galvanizes people to deliver results well beyond our capabilities. In a general context, such acts are a catalyst for individuals to experience that rush of adrenaline to extend our limitations and making us aware of possibility to achieve higher potentials. The situation can be accurately related to the state of mind of an athlete who is on the verge of creating unbelievable landmarks of human potential.
Exceptional work done by social workers does that to many of us. This profession comprises long hours, low wages, stress, some non-welcoming clients and difficulties due to lack of resources and funding. But some of these workers are always there for the community members who need them. These breeds of professionals are driven by their values and belief inspiring others to emulate their work. They are the strong foundation of social service sector. Whether they are volunteers or paid workers, every contribution is selfless and dedicated. Even COVID-19 has not deterred them to innovate to find ways and methods to keep up with the good work they do. It is time we thank them from the bottom of our heart for their exceptional work.
Ajit Sinha CPHR SHRM-SCP
Published on 22 Apr 2020 on Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-am-i-social-service-worker-ajit-sinha-cphr-shrm-scp/
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