[thatssomething]

Just needed to vent. I'm currently in grad school (but on summer vacation) and this next year will be my last year (meaning I'm one year away from having a master's degree on top of the two bachelor's I already have). I don't mean to brag, just to set the stage. My internship site for next year needed extra help over the summer so I started early because I needed a summer job. As a student intern I'm supposed to be doing tasks that have educational value and will teach me something.... But instead I've been answering phones, scheduling meetings for other people, updating the calendar of the head of the office and doing data entry... The same kind of job I had as a junior in college. I'm super frustrated because I'm only 2 months in to an 11 month internship and I feel like I'm losing my mind. I keep having to take Ativan because I can feel crying spells coming on almost daily at work and if it's not crying it's rage. I'm super frustrated and on top of all that, my meds and mood are totally unstabilized, if they were stable I'd be able to regulate my emotions appropriately but right now I can't . My pdoc has been trying for months to find the right combo and everything works at first but then it's like my body becomes immune and the medications stop working. Working at all is difficult and now I have to put up with all this crap too.

[winter4me]

What subject are you studying?

[thatssomething]

Social work

[Little Lulu]

Would it be possible to talk to your 'boss' and say something like 'I am so grateful to have this position and opportunity, etc. I feel I am ready for new challenges. Would it be possible for me to spend some of my work time on (fill in the blank with what you hoped to be doing) to further to further expand my learning?' If the boss says yes, then pin it down as to when and how your role will change so it isn't just talk with no action.

[Perna]

I hear you about the frustration and feeling you are doing other people's work. Do it so that they really miss you after next year The amount of administrative paper work in most social work environments is insane. I would do the best I could with the assignment, figure out how to do the work efficiently and well so when you are a social worker, your work will be organized and done right and quickly out of the way so you have sufficient time for your clients or meetings and appointments, whatever specialty of social work you are aiming for. Use the stressfulness to work on yourself and how you cope, it won't be the last or greatest stressful environment you will be in

[hvert]

I would definitely talk to your boss -- it is entirely possible that you are just doing these tasks for the summer while they are shorthanded, no? Maybe if you find out that these duties will end in September it will make you feel better about continuing. I know that I feel better when the end is in sight

Doing boring busy work like that is very frustrating when you want to do something more, but it could be a positive while you are trying to figure out the right combo with your doctor. It's not taking a lot of mental energy and you are familiar with it, even if it is emotionally taxing.

[Strive4health]

Originally Posted by thatssomething

Just needed to vent. I'm currently in grad school (but on summer vacation) and this next year will be my last year (meaning I'm one year away from having a master's degree on top of the two bachelor's I already have). I don't mean to brag, just to set the stage. My internship site for next year needed extra help over the summer so I started early because I needed a summer job. As a student intern I'm supposed to be doing tasks that have educational value and will teach me something.... But instead I've been answering phones, scheduling meetings for other people, updating the calendar of the head of the office and doing data entry... The same kind of job I had as a junior in college. I'm super frustrated because I'm only 2 months in to an 11 month internship and I feel like I'm losing my mind. I keep having to take Ativan because I can feel crying spells coming on almost daily at work and if it's not crying it's rage. I'm super frustrated and on top of all that, my meds and mood are totally unstabilized, if they were stable I'd be able to regulate my emotions appropriately but right now I can't . My pdoc has been trying for months to find the right combo and everything works at first but then it's like my body becomes immune and the medications stop working. Working at all is difficult and now I have to put up with all this crap too.

Okay first thing's first--- BREATHE!! That's right, take a nice, deep breath; hold for 10 seconds and exhale slowly. Take a squeezie ball and squeeze as TIGHT!! as you can for 10 seconds and release. Now...

I do not want to dismiss your concerns and feelings, so hear me out. It's been 2 months, and only 2 months. I know this is driving you insane. It's like, where is this relevant experience I am supposed to be getting? What the hell?

This is a guess...and my own guess. Your supervisor is probably trying to get the hang of what to assign people. He/she probably just needs you to temporarily fill in for these duties.

As a person who used to work in social services, I can say some of your duties are what you'd be doing as a social worker. Social workers have insane schedules. There are always meetings to schedule. There is so much paperwork. You are on the phone at least half the day. I know you desire more from this position, and I think you'll get there. But for the time being, remember you are at a "baby step."

I am sure if you talked to your supervisor, this can change. It's how you approach him/her which makes the difference.