1. Hi everyone! My name is Zaina Allen, and I currently reside in Byron, Georgia. I recently completed my BSW and am excited to start my MSW program and join this class with all of you. In the past, I have volunteered with organizations like RAINN and Hope Recovery. There, I helped on a sexual assault hotline and facilitated support groups for women who have experienced sexual trauma. I also completed my practicum with a kinship care agency. Next month, I will start my ‘official’ social work job as a crisis counselor, which I am really looking forward to. Looking ahead, I hope to continue developing in crisis intervention and be a support for those who need it most.
2. My phone is almost always with me, probably more than I’d like to admit. I use it to read, stay connected with my friends and family, and scroll through social media. My laptop is another essential piece of technology because I am a fully online student.
3. In my professional life, I’ve utilized technology in various ways. For example, I’ve relied on Zoom for meetings and training. I’ve used software tools to document and organize client information. I’ve also accessed databases to find relevant articles for research or for resources for clients.
4. I find AI technology useful. I’ve used it to generate ideas, help me budget my finances, and create weekly meal plans, to-do lists, etc. I also like Microsoft Copilot when I’m searching for something specific because it helps me find information quickly without having to click through multiple pages of results.
5. One positive impact of technology is that it provides social workers with easier access to research and evidence-based practices. It also allows for more accessible support to clients. For example, virtual support groups and teletherapy make it possible to receive help even if someone can’t attend in person. On the other hand, this shift towards these more remote interactions can also be seen as less personal. I definitely see both sides.
Hi Zaina, I agree that technology has made our lives easier in some ways, virtual meetings, getting information at the click of a button. At the same time, access to technology has made us less interactive with each other, and I think that in the long run, we will see some negative effects of that in our future generations.
Hey Zaina! I’m in Georgia also (Atlanta) like I shared earlier, I don’t know a lot about AI but just reading your post I can tell it’s very helpful especially with healthy and finances.
Zaina,
Thank you for sharing your experiences and your thoughts. Welcome to the MSW program and your placement as a crisis counselor.
We will spend a good deal of time talking about how technology has infiltrated so many aspects of our lives – but also our profession. While all of us have to admit to a dependence on our phones, we also have integrated so many more apps and devices into our personal and professional lives.
We will be discussing the ethical considerations of technology in the clinical relationship, talk about the issues of access and privacy, and face the real challenges and privilege’s of using AI. We will probably ask more questions than find answers, but I look forward to many more interesting conversations.
Dr P