3
empathy towards the individual I am engaging with, irrespective of any differences of opinion
we may have.
During skills lab, a role-play exercise was conducted when I assumed the position of a
social worker. In this scenario, a client expressed their reluctance to collaborate with me on the
grounds that my religious affiliation as a Christian implied a lack of support for homosexual
rights. In my response, I asserted that my religious affiliation is not relevant to the individual's
treatment. While avoiding excessive disclosure, I clarified that I do wear a cross necklace, but
emphasized that this does not imply complete adherence to rigid religious principles. Due to the
client's receptiveness, I redirected the attention away from my own ego.
The Importance of Separating Personal and Professional Values
In my personal life, my personal values act as a guiding force, and in my professional
life, my professional values are what guide the decision-making process inside of my job. The
confusion of one's personal and professional principles has the potential to result in apathy,
hidden prejudice, and stressful situations. My personal goals include the establishment of a
family at some point in a later time frame, and I have plans to do so at some point in the near
future. It is probable that a person's decision to temporarily suspend the pursuit of their work
goals in order to prioritize the aspirations of their family may have an effect on the person's
chances of progressing in their professional pursuits (Marsiglia et al., 2021). If an individual
chooses to prioritize the aspirations of their family above their job goals, this choice may have an
effect on the individual. It is crucial that both principles be in effect at the same time, and I must
have faith in their capacity to serve their respective purposes without interfering with one
another.