On Friday I had my interview for acceptance to the Masters of Social Work program. I was completely caught off guard by a couple of the questions I was asked during this interview and to be honest, I was not quite sure how I was supposed to respond.
The first question was, "How would you respond to a client who was of a different culture."
I sort of looked at the interviewer in utter confusion and simply asked, "Well, does the client speak English or have any other issues with communication where I may need an interpreter?"
The answer was no, that the client is able to speak English. This really confused me even more. So I asked what it mattered what culture or ethnic background they had, people are people. I applied for the program because I am interested in working with people. I have never really defined "people" differently based on ethnic or cultural differences. Maybe the question was not phrased correctly. Maybe what the interviewer should have asked is are you prejudiced.
The next question was just as confusing. "How would you respond to a homosexual who came in to see you."
My response was, "Well, if they were trying to flirt with me or pick me up, I would probably respond the same as a straight person trying to pick me up and explain how the situation was inappropriate due to the professionalism of the relationship."
I think the issue that confuses me the most is why anyone would want to work in a profession working with people on a daily basis and not be accepting of the differences of others? EVERYONE is unique and that's the thing I find the most fascinating about people. I honestly did not know how I was expected to respond to these questions. In fact, I do not think I had ever been asked these types of questions before. Now that I have been asked, I was wondering how others would respond to this question?
How would you react if you had to work with a person of a different background or culture? How would you treat a gay or lesbian you needed to help in some way? How do you treat others who are similar to you? Is there a difference in how you would respond to these types of people?
I believe all people no matter what race or gender preference they prefer should not matter. Everyone is the same even if they have different cultures/races/ etc. We are all alike in some way just as people that are the same race.
Even working with someone who spoke spanish would not bother me because I speak it ok. I could at least some what communicate with them. I believe for some one to ask these questions is ok, but some people probably won't answer them honestly.
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!
Many people still today walk around with prejudice and a level one racism seed in their brain.
Some don’t like the job they do, so they vent upon customers and the other members of their work team.
Others don’t like to do or share the job with minorities or colored persons, because it affects their “ego” while mostly assume it lowers down their so called status.
It’s basically a thing of assumptions which make certain people to behave funny the
way they work around or with other individuals.
I like your blog, you brought something interesting inside :-)
What an interesting situation. I think they were probably sorting questions to test your cultural competence. There are people in the world who would say silly things like, "I would help that homosexual find the right repairative therapy and any other resources they need to overcome their problem" or "Since black people use government services so much..." They were looking for signs of obvious bias, is my guess. I think you passed the test, unless they are put off by the "we're all the same" model of diversity, because truth be told, we're not. The "we're all the same" model of diversity is a white people's fallacy that obscures difference in a way that allows the white majority to stay in our comfort zone. But I'm guessing they figure they can teach you that as long as you aren't spouting hate in the interview, so yeah...you should be fine with the answers you gave.
(Now, keeping in mind that I have been through a lot of urban education classes and that I am a volunteer diversity trainer) I guess I would have said something like, "I will work hard to gain cultural competence regarding the predominant cultures in my area, and when faced with a client from a culture that is unfamiliar to me, I would work independently to learn everything I can about their culture and about them as an individual so I can provide them with the most complete, most culturally relevant services possible." And for the gay one, I would have said something about making myself familiar with GLBT community resources and making sure it was clear that my office was a safe zone, through signage or a sticker on the door or something. (I know that last bit seems silly, but GLBT people are always on the lookout for subtle signs of an ally, so having a safe zone sticker on your door goes a long way toward making a GLBT client or student comfortable).
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
You know, I never even thought about a GLBT sticker. That is actually an EXTREMELY helpful suggestion for when I do have my own office after I finish the program (which I was accepted to - woohoo!!!)
There were so many other ways I could have answered her, now that I think about it. I could have told her about how all of my best friends while working on my undergrad were the foreign exchange students. To be honest, I loved learning about their culture and the different countries they were from. Not only that, I loved introducing them to places here in America and aspects of our culture. I even served as the secretary for our school's Latino Student Union (I am a white girl). The best part about working with people is learning about them. Everyone IS unique, which is the best part about people.
I did tell her about my best friend, who has been since we were in middle school. She came out while we were both in college. I always have a blast going to the gay bars with her. I played on a baseball team with her where I was the only straight girl. I never gave it a second thought, really. They all became close friends. Some of the girls even asked me out, but all I had to do was tell them I was straight. I never felt uncomfortable or anything.
You're probably right about their intentions. They do need to ensure that they aren't potentially giving anyone a degree concerning mental health if the applicant maybe viewed certain individual differences as something that needed to be "fixed" or as categorized because of stereotypes.
Maybe I'm just weird because I have always felt that I fit in no matter where I am or who I'm with. Or maybe I just never cared about "fitting in" at all. Oh well. I better not try to psychoanalyze myself;)
"Maybe I'm just weird because I have always felt that I fit in no matter where I am or who I'm with. Or maybe I just never cared about "fitting in" at all."
Both are amazing qualities for a social worker! Congratulations! You're going to be great!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Thanks ;) I hope I do well.
Thanks ;) I hope I do well.