Myths & Pitfalls

Myth or Fact?

Field placement is a job.

Myth

Answer 1 - Kanako Okuda

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I always need to know what to do.

Myth

Answer 2 - Kanako Okuda

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I just do what I'm told to do.

It depends

Answer 3 - Kanako Okuda

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Our expectations can either enhance or hinder our learning processes. It is common for many of us to be unaware of our expectations in the beginning, and they may emerge as we begin field learning.

Source: Glassman (2016).

Possible Pitfalls

Unrealistic Expectations

Inability to Embrace Uncertainties

Unrecognized Anxiety

False Assumptions

Refusal to Ask for Help

Over-Scheduling

Conflicting Personal and Professional Values

Overwhelming Triggers

Boredom

Help from Unhelpful Sources

Sources: Barlow & Hall (2007); Gelman (2004); Gelman & Lloyd (2008); Gelman (2009); Glassman (2016); Hemy, Boddy, Chee, & Sauvage (2016); Hughes (2011); Pierce(2016); Zeff, Kaersvang, & Raskin (2016).

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How to Work with Pitfalls

Know what they are
Have someone you trust to keep you in check
Accept and make changes when you get stuck
Know that it's okay to be facing some pitfalls
Learn from your experiences

Photo Credit: www.today.com

Myths and Pitfalls by the Phases of a Field Placement

Pre-Placement

Unclear or rigid expectations of the educational process
Limited readiness to start your placement
Problems with the interviewing process
Trying to negotiate your assignment without communicating with your field educators in your school
Problem with agency-required clearance processes

Needing to know everything before you start your assignments
Not asking questions
Difficulty adjusting to the role of social work student
Difficulty establishing expectations of self and others

Middle

Misunderstanding the purpose of your performance evaluation
Missing field instruction meeting
Becoming complacent in following agency procedure
Feeling unenthusiastic or unreceptive toward constructive criticism

End

Feeling unprepared
Being too critical of your field experiences
Difficulty letting go of your clients
Being preoccupied with life after graduation
Termination anxiety

Beginning

Sources: Gelman (2004); Gelman & Lioyd (2008); Gelman (2009); Glassman (2016).

Interviews with Mentors

Carolyn Gartner, LCSW

Hospice Social Worker

Esperanza

Community Organizer

Cindy Bautista-Thomas, LCSW

Advice to My Student Self - Carolyn Gartner

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On Social Work - Esperanza

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My Journey to Social Work - Cindy Bautista-Thomas, LCSW

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Myths & Pitfalls

Myth or Fact?

Field placement is a job.

Myth

I always need to know what to do.

Myth

I just do what I'm told to do.

It depends

Our expectations can either enhance or hinder our learning processes. It is common for many of us to be unaware of our expectations in the beginning, and they may emerge as we begin field learning.

Source: Glassman (2016).

Possible Pitfalls

Unrealistic Expectations

Inability to Embrace Uncertainties

Unrecognized Anxiety

False Assumptions

Refusal to Ask for Help

Over-Scheduling

Conflicting Personal and Professional Values

Overwhelming Triggers

Boredom

Help from Unhelpful Sources

Sources: Barlow & Hall (2007); Gelman (2004); Gelman & Lloyd (2008); Gelman (2009); Glassman (2016); Hemy, Boddy, Chee, & Sauvage (2016); Hughes (2011); Pierce(2016); Zeff, Kaersvang, & Raskin (2016).

How to Work with Pitfalls

Know what they are

Have someone you trust to keep you in check

Accept and make changes when you get stuck

Know that it's okay to be facing some pitfalls

Learn from your experiences

Photo Credit: www.today.com

Myths and Pitfalls by the Phases of a Field Placement

Pre-Placement

Unclear or rigid expectations of the educational process

Limited readiness to start your placement

Problems with the interviewing process

Trying to negotiate your assignment without communicating with your field educators in your school

Problem with agency-required clearance processes

Needing to know everything before you start your assignments

Not asking questions

Difficulty adjusting to the role of social work student

Difficulty establishing expectations of self and others

Middle

Misunderstanding the purpose of your performance evaluation

Missing field instruction meeting

Becoming complacent in following agency procedure

Feeling unenthusiastic or unreceptive toward constructive criticism

End

Feeling unprepared

Being too critical of your field experiences

Difficulty letting go of your clients

Being preoccupied with life after graduation

Termination anxiety

Beginning

Sources: Gelman (2004); Gelman & Lioyd (2008); Gelman (2009); Glassman (2016).

Interviews with Mentors

Carolyn Gartner, LCSW

Hospice Social Worker

Esperanza

Community Organizer

Cindy Bautista-Thomas, LCSW

References

Contact

Consulting

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