Hello current and future students!!
My name is Hana and I am in the Community Support Worker Program (CSW) which is almost near its end. I started in November 2012 and have 13 weeks to go! How exciting it is for us to be moving along so fast we cannot believe it actually.
Currently my team and I are doing our integrated practice experience (IPE) where we get a taste of the different types of programs that are offered to those who we will be supporting. We do this one day of the week for 8 weeks with one society and then we switch for 8 more weeks to another society. What we actually do here is just observing the different behaviors, ability of the clients as well as the care giver/worker.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the daily activities and routine that the workers have scheduled. This will benefit us by seeing what our strengths and weaknesses are and where we will be fit when we start the practicum. This choice is made between me, the society and program of my choice and our monitor.
Choosing my CSW program
I chose Stenberg for many reasons; it is close to home and near the Surrey Central skytrain station, the program was offered right away as well as the length of the program was ideal as i wanted to start my career and grow from there quickly. The only misconception I had about this program is that we were only there to take people out into the community. I was wrong which not a bad thing; we also support people who have dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental and physical disabilities. This is great as I get to learn about different types abilities of who need different types of support. I was wrong as it opened my mind and eyes and my view on what a CSW really does.
Opportunities in the CSW training
I don’t know what other people think of the CSW program but I do know there isn’t enough information out there to encourage people to join in to this field. With that being said I still love my small class of 6, I wouldn’t change it at all just to be in a bigger class. I chose to blog to educate everyone who is reading this to be aware of developmental disabilities and mental and that there are opportunities in this program especially for the men and to encourage you to join me in this field as it is a rewarding career. From the programs and facilities I have been too, they have said hiring a man would be their first choice as there aren’t many male support workers in the community.
Thanks again for reading, see you around campus.
We want to congratulate Hana on completing the Community Support Worker program! It’s been a hard few months, but she has done well and we wish her the best of luck on the next chapter of her career and life.
