What do you do if your path to a promotion in social work is filled with obstacles and challenges?

I’ve come to understand that obstacles are not merely hurdles to be overcome but essential components that forge my character. my perspective of hardships shifts to souls within my same moment in life who lack clean water food, or safety. I redefine my struggles in the narrative of human suffering and re-evaluate what is challenging. I am far from enlightened or even valuable in any way. but until I lay next to most lost, vulnerable and I have nothing left to give, I am well. If can embrace that idea, now my experiences with the world,to reinforce the purest essence of our interconnectedness, and the bedrock of human endeavor.WE intertwined with the collective struggle for dignity, and connection, yet horribly un-alike in our struggles

If you are clear about your professional purpose and what your long-term vision is, this allows you to be prepared for the road ahead. If your purpose is inspiring enough, you will find the strength to overcome any obstacle. The starting point is to recognize what you do best and what skills you need to develop. You can start by asking the people around you "if you had to recommend me, why would you do it?" This will allow you to brush up on your skills. There are things that we do very well daily and so we don't give it importance. On the other hand, look for the description of that profile you want to become. Check which characteristics you already have and which ones you don't so you can take action and acquire what you need.

As you progress in your career, the path toward promotion WILL be filled with challenges. Because your goal is a promotion, this says to me that you have identified a longer term bold vision for your career. So the way you handle obstacles will be different from someone who is not as intentional. One of the many strategies I use with my mentees is to "Expect the No." You want to plan for the inevitable, so it doesn't knock you off course. I give them an "Expect the No" worksheet. They write their long term goal and a list 1-100. This is where you track the "not right now, it's not in the budget," types of responses. This helps strengthen your commitment to your goal and let's you know when it's time to change your strategy, pivot or exit.

Don't get discouraged! Identify the roadblocks - talk to supervisors or colleagues about promotion requirements and hidden opportunities. Focus on building your skillset through training or taking on challenging projects. Showcase your accomplishments - document your successes and contributions to demonstrate your value and readiness for the next step.

Read "Don't Quit" by Edgar Alber Guest. Then, after you absorb those words, take a deep breath and keep pushing! Your path to succcess will ALWAYS have obstacles. You have to stay true to your goals and not waiver in them.

Just as our personal relationships and conditions evolve, the same is true for our professional environments. It’s possible to reach your max season of growth with an organization, or at the level of practice you’re currently in. Realistically consider the season you’re in professionally. What does your cost/benefit and potential for growth look like? If it’s not there AND you’re not planning to retire with this organization, it’s time to go. Sometimes that next step in your career resides with another employer. So don’t be afraid to network with other entities. You should always be seeking, and preparing for what’s next. So keep your cover letter and résumé up-to-date. Attend professional conferences and workshops. Go on interviews.

The best way to grow professionally is through Networking. This gives you the opportunity to meet inspiring stories and put your knowledge and experience at the service of others. Look around for in-person events or online events that allow you to expand your circle of relationships and come to these events with the best attitude to help others. You may have a contact to share that someone is desperately looking for, you may have an experience that someone else could use, or you may have read a book or article to recommend. The people you meet through networking will never forget your generosity, they will want to know more about you and will be the first to recommend you when someone asks for someone with your profile.

Your reputation will get you openings in social work. If you build a good reputation for delivering quality care and services, being a subject matter expert and deliver on what you say you will do, you wont be out of work

Yes, with a great leadership and initiative mindset we can achieve our goal for sure, it might take time but if we learn to accommodate some new skills sets, like print media, awareness camps or some internative session with people to get in reach of them will lead us to success. And all of these needs guts to initiate things which are beyond our limits sometimes.

When we talk about adapting, most people shutter. And it makes sense because change, can be overwhelming! Irregardless, in our work, change is inevitable. The best practices, interventions, and knowledge regarding our profession will adapt alongside the impact of historical decision-making and communities we serve. When someone has the ability to adapt, it means they maintain a spirit of curiosity about change, request support when needed, and commit to lifelong learning. Not all change is bad, and adaptation fuels both flexibility and resilience in social work practice. But adaptation also falls under the umbrella of self-care. Be mindful of the things you cannot change. Maintain boundaries and routinely give yourself time to adjust.

It's not a question of if challenges will arise, but rather when they will. As you strive to advance your career, you'll inevitably encounter obstacles that might tempt you to give up. It's crucial to build a supportive network to guide you through both the tough and triumphant times. Investing in a reliable professional coach or mentor is essential. Equally important is dedicating resources to training and other learning opportunities that promote personal and professional growth.

As human beings, you cannot avoid obstacles and challenges. Intention, tenacity, and focus will help you stay the course when things get tough. Having a strong support system and different ways to replenish yourself will also help you maintain your commitment to promotion and advancement. When there is no logical explanation for your being overlooked, don't overlook the fact that sometimes you have to exit negative situations to be appreciated and promoted. Sometimes it really is not you, it's them.