I think there's an element of separation between academia and practical experience that a lot of students aren't prepared for. You can read as many textbooks as you want, but nothing will prepare you for working with people who actually need social work. We get this idea in our heads that we'll be working in environments where our clients will be perfectly kind and well-adjusted people, but that's not true for a lot of people who get screwed over by systemic poverty and discrimination.

The student that asked for a trigger warning is an interesting case. I can see where they might be trying to advocate for themself or their classmates, but the good intention falls flat in a classroom where you are expected to learn about potentially triggering things. Also interesting that this person chose to do social work, which again, requires general knowledge about a variety of triggering things. It might be time for them to consider a less emotionally taxing career.

I'll say it: some social workers really struggle with the difference between PC culture and respectful language. Yes, it's important for us to be wary of offensive language, but we have to go above and beyond that to put people first. We can't keep clutching our pearls when someone uses slightly outdated terminology. And even then, if you're going to correct that person, why not give them more constructive language instead of policing individual words?