For those who want to make a difference in their community, a social work degree is a popular choice. As well as a social worker role in a clinical or community setting, a degree in social work can qualify you to work in several different positions. You could, for example, become a marriage and family therapist or a counselor to support people with mental health problems, addiction, and behavioral disorders.
Social work degrees can be earned at the bachelor’s level (BSW) or the master’s (MSW). While the whole course is vital for providing a thorough preparation for social work and related careers, one part is particularly effective on both the BSW and MSW – the field placement. Providing hands-on experience, placement is a chance to put into practice the theories you have been learning on your course and allows you to discover the everyday life of this rewarding career.
Choosing a social work course
Any accredited master’s in social work should include sufficient field placement hours to meet qualification requirements, although this is something you should check carefully before you enroll. BSWs and MSWs are widely available at universities throughout the country, and there is also the option of high-quality online courses. Those embarking on an online course may worry about this aspect of their degree as this requires hands-on, physical experience. Finding your own placement can be time-consuming, so when choosing an online course, check to see what support they give in helping you secure field placements that will deliver the requisite number of hours at a location that is convenient for you.
When choosing a course, you should also check the requirements for the state where you plan to work, as these can vary, and you should ensure that you choose a course that covers what you need for your state licensure. So those researching how to become a social worker in New York will find they will need at least a bachelor’s degree in social work, with a master’s preferred in most places, and to have carried out 900 hours of field placement. They can then find courses like Keuka College’s online Master of Social Work. This course has a traditional track MSW that features 900 hours for those with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, with a fast-track option for those whose bachelor’s degree was in social work, and placement services are included in the program cost. A little bit of research into courses before enrolling will help make sure you gain sufficient accredited hours for employment opportunities in the area where you want to work.
Get to know the working environments
Social workers can find careers in many different environments. Through field placements, social work students can get to know how different environments operate, helping them decide the direction they want for their careers. Field placements can take place in healthcare facilities, counseling centers, education settings, hospices, and human services organizations, to name but a few. Social work roles will differ according to the environment. These placements are a good opportunity to discover how social workers operate in different settings and how their day-to-day life varies.
MSWs usually include two field placements, and while the first may not be in a setting you necessarily want to work in, your second should be tailored toward your specific interests. This is a good way to make sure that the environment is for you. Having experience within a particular setting will also be useful when you apply for positions in similar settings after qualification and should be highlighted on job applications.
Meeting experienced professionals
On field placements, social work students work alongside professionals, providing many development opportunities. You will be assigned a supervisor who will be experienced in their work and whose role is to give you the necessary support and guidance to develop your abilities.
The professionals you meet on your field placements are valuable resources as you hone your skills. By watching how they operate, you can see the standards you will need to meet and how they handle different situations. Through this observation, you can pick up many skills. It is a good idea to keep notes on how these experienced professionals work. Field placements are a chance to learn from the best and most up to date – those doing the job right now.
It is also a good idea to ask questions, from why they acted as they did in a specific situation to more general queries about their working life. From them, you can pick up tips on everything from juggling a heavy workload to dealing with vulnerable clients. Social work is a highly rewarding career, but it is also a challenging one, so it is well worth acquiring tips and information from those who know the job well.
While you will find these experienced professionals a mine of information, that is not to say you should ignore newer employees. They will be able to tell you about the rewards and challenges of starting out in a social work career, letting you know what worked and what did not. They can give you tips on how to secure your first employment once you have qualified, and as their own field placements will be fresh in their memories, they can also help you maximize your opportunities.
When asking questions from the professionals at your field placements, be considerate and courteous. The role of a social worker is a busy one, and they may not always have time to chat. If in doubt, talk to your supervisor and ask them the best way to go about learning more. Generally, you will find that people are very glad to be of help and are happy to pass on what they know.
Put your skills into practice
When on a social work course, you will be provided with plenty of information and guidance on aspects of a social work career. In that time, you will read and write about different scenarios and may even act them out as you develop your skills. You will likely have the chance to attend seminars and discussions led by people who know the field well. All this will be the valuable knowledge and good practice that makes up your skillset when you start your career.
However, there is a vast difference between theory and reality. This is one of the most significant reasons field placement is so important. No matter how much you have read, watched, heard, or acted out, it is no substitute for being able to put those skills into practice in real-life situations.
On field placements, you will work with real clients, dealing with real situations, and here you can see how you can truly make a difference in these people’s lives. Handling real problems can seem daunting as your clients need effective support that it is your responsibility to deliver, but it is only through working in these real-life situations that you can develop your skills.
While it may seem daunting, and most people will feel nervous when starting, your field placements will be undertaken under the supervision of an experienced professional who will be able to guide and support you. It will be a gradual process as your developing skills and abilities allow you to take on more responsibilities. When first on placement, you will shadow the professionals at work, learning through observation. Over time you will be able to handle more situations as you grow in confidence and ability. Through these clinical placement hours, you will develop your skills and confidence so that once you are qualified, you can act independently, providing vital assistance and support to clients at a difficult stage in their lives.
Feedback
On field placement, your work will be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor. As has been stated, to start with, you will work by shadowing a professional and carrying out observations. But over time, you will begin working on cases or aspects of cases yourself, and your supervisor will be the one to observe you to see how your abilities are developing and, eventually, to decide whether your placement has been successful.
Most students find it a nerve-racking process, but these observations are essential for monitoring your progress to ensure that social workers meet the required standards. They are also a chance for you to develop your skills through the feedback offered.
Constructive feedback will allow you to see what you are doing well, as well as any areas of weakness. As an inexperienced student social worker, you may not be certain if you have handled a situation well, and when a supervisor confirms that you have, it will boost your confidence and allow you to see where your strengths lie. You can use this to take those abilities into future situations and further develop your skills.
No one likes being criticized, but it is an essential way to discover where you are going wrong, as mistakes are inevitable when learning something new. By identifying weak areas, you will know where you need extra work and can understand how you can handle situations better. This way, you will be able to improve throughout the rest of your field placement. As well as pointing out where you went wrong, your supervisor will be able to give you advice on how to improve so that, in the future, you can act with confidence. This feedback from an experienced professional will enable you to hone your skills and reach the required standards to practice as a social worker. If you have had a disappointing observation, it is important to remember that everyone on your field placement wants you to succeed, and their feedback, both positive and negative, can help you do that.
Discover the day-to-day reality
While on the academic part of the course, you will undoubtedly learn much about the different aspects of the job of a social worker. You may read about it, watch videos, or listen to talks by those who work in this area. While this is all a valuable part of your social work education, it is not the same as experiencing it yourself.
As well as allowing you to experience the physical reality of what can be heavy workloads, challenging clients, and reams of paperwork, it will also help prepare you for the emotional reality of being a social worker. No matter what setting you work in, you will be working with children or adults who are in a difficult part of their lives, whether it is dealing with drug addiction, grief, abuse, or some other trauma. Social workers need to be able to work with people in these difficult times professionally, but also with empathy and compassion while not allowing these issues to affect their own emotional well-being. Being able to leave the emotional impact of the job at work and not allowing it to intrude on your personal life is another skill you achieve through experience.
While the day-to-day reality of a social worker can be emotionally challenging, the field placements are also a chance to see the huge difference a good social worker can make. You will see individuals progress toward creating a better life for themselves and their loved ones, and in witnessing this firsthand, you will be reminded of how rewarding social work can be. These field placements provide daily reminders of why you want to enter this field, which can spur you on through the more challenging parts of your course.
Employment opportunities
Your field placement could help land you your first employment after qualification. Social workers tend to be much in demand, and it is possible that the place where you undertake your field placement will be looking to employ either additional social workers or replace those who retire or move on to other employment. While on field placement, you will have a chance to impress the management of your setting, demonstrating to them how effectively you can do the job. Through your field placement, you may have greater insights into exactly what they are looking for, which will help you in the application and interview process.
Even if this does not provide your first job, it may be that you apply for employment there at a later date, and your firsthand knowledge of the setting can help your application be successful. The field placement is also a chance for you to think about whether you would like to work there so that if an employment opportunity arises, you know whether you want to go for it or not.
What happens on a field placement?
Exactly what happens on a field placement will depend on your stage of education and whether you are on a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The bachelor’s placement is usually considered a foundation placement and focuses on building general skills that can be used in a wide variety of social work areas. On a master’s placement, the first placement is usually of a similar standard, with the second allowing students to build on the skills from their first placement and more specific skills targeted to the social work area they want to work in. This is why holders of a BSW can undertake a fast-tracked MSW.
Before starting your placement, you will typically be interviewed, and this is your chance to ask them any questions to prepare you for getting started. Throughout a foundation placement, students will be exposed to a few different roles to give them as broad an experience as possible, so they are ready to hone their skills on a more specialized placement. During your placement, you will also attend seminars and have the opportunity to discuss your placement experiences with an instructor and other students.
Bridging the gap
Ultimately a social work field placement should help bridge the gap between social work education and employment. Providing the chance to hone skills, put theory into practice, receive feedback on your skills and find out more about the day-to-day life of a social worker, you will become far more prepared for taking up a position after qualification. It should also provide the requisite number of accredited hours to meet state licensure, allowing you to practice as a social worker in your chosen state. While every part of your social work bachelor’s or master’s degree is crucial in preparing you for employment in social work, it is for this reason that the field placement can be considered the cornerstone of the course.