In many jobs, professional leadership is key to developing your skills and supporting others to grow on your team. Before becoming a Teaching Assistant or Student Social Worker, I was concerned that I would not be assertive enough or brave enough to challenge another person. I felt like if I tried to ‘be the boss’ then I would appear silly and patronising. This is not the case.

I have learnt that I can be assertive and act suddenly in a crisis, giving instructions clearly and appropriately. I do and have challenged my clients when I believe they have said or done something that was inappropriate, if a boundary has been crossed or if there is evidence someone has been dishonest. My challenges were always accepted by the client and my honesty and bluntness was usually appreciated.

As a student social worker, one of the domains we must show evidence of accomplishing in our professional capabilities framework, is to be aware of the power invested in our role. This is a point I am recognising because although we do not have the power to do many things (which the public may or may not understand), we are still voices with knowledge of legislation and relevant policies who can work with vulnerable people or people struggling in society, and we can be advocates for them and be listened to.

That’s what I do during the day (and study the rest of the time). However, I also work for a catering company where I cater and silver-service waitress during some evenings and weekends for weddings and other important functions. Although tiring, it is refreshing to do some practical work and is completely opposite to what I do during the day.

Waitressing is quite a reverse of roles. In Social Care Work I am the role with information, the contacts, the answers. This is respected, protected and my work is backed up with policies. As a waitress I am really there, literally, to serve. I am usually shouted orders by my boss (not always politely), patronised and humiliated in the kitchen if I don’t complete a task by their standards and I still stay standing there because I really need the money.

The problem is, as this is a reverse of roles, I am at the bottom of this hierarchy in the kitchen and it is very interesting to see things from the other direction. Work gets extremely hot and stressful in the kitchens and we need to be on our feet keeping busy at all times.

From doing this work I now really appreciate more practical hands-on jobs that millions of workers battle through every day. They may not be the head chef or be in a role that is respected, but the kitchen could not run without them and the guests would not be served. Earning money is what it is at the end of the day and falling into bed at the end of it to grab a few hours’ sleep before the alarm clock rings again, is bliss.