Personal Narrative: My Visit To Social Security

I visited the Social Security Administration building in Newark, NJ. I frequently visit this particular location because at my field placement, clients are often brought to the Social Security building to apply for Social Security benefits. Upon entering the Social Security Administration building, I was impressed how modern and beautiful the building was. I learned that the building had recently opened due to the completion of construction. As I entered through two doorways, I was greeted by three armed security guards. There was a table with a bucket to place my items and a metal detector. It was very similar to entering airport security. After I passed through the metal detector and gathered my items, the waiting room was impressively beautiful. There were two machines to register and a ticket receipt would be printed with a call number. There were television monitors that displayed the next call number and the window number to go to. There were about 60 chairs and at the time about ten people waiting. The walls were gray and the floor was an off-white tile. There was also a small dedication wall for one of the Social Security Administration founders. There was a plaque of his face and a tribute to his work. After sitting in the waiting room for a couple

What is interesting was how the security guards were providing security but also guiding and assisting those who visited. One guard was showing clients how to operate the registration machines, informing them when their numbers were called over the intercom, directing them what window to go to. They would tell them to get off their phones, quiet down, and not to eat. All of the workers sat behind bullet proof windows and there was no one in the waiting room to assist, support, or even answer questions. The agency displayed little warmth or was far from supportive. It was rather cold, empty, and