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Getting Started in Your First Three Weeks

Getting Started in Your First Three Weeks. Brian W. Simmons, LMSW. What is My Role?. As a practicum students, you have two roles. As a Student you will be Learning from: Field Instructor Staff Members Faculty Liaison Other Class Members

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Getting Started in Your First Three Weeks

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  1. Getting Started inYour First Three Weeks Brian W. Simmons, LMSW

  2. What is My Role? • As a practicum students, you have two roles. • As a Studentyou will be Learning from: • Field Instructor • Staff Members • Faculty Liaison • Other Class Members • As an Intern, you will be Providing Services for: • Clients • Agency • Community Partners • Remember, at all times, you represent yourself, UGA, and social work as a profession.

  3. Where to Start: • Meet with your field instructor. • Make introductions to other staff members. • Learn not only who they are, but what role they play. • Ask questions and closely observe other employees. • Learn first by observing, then by doing.

  4. Field Instructor • Your field instructor can be: • Your greatest ally. • A mentor and teacher. • Your first line of support. • An advocate for both you and your clients.

  5. Study Your Agency • Review agency policy manuals, mission statements, procedural handbooks, and any other materials available. • Identify: • What is the purpose of the agency? • Is there a particular philosophy driving the agency? • Who do we serve? • How do we serve? • To whom are we accountable?

  6. Observation • Learn through observing. • Not just what other workers do, but how they do it. • How do others express empathy, engage in active listening, confront clients, problem solve, etc? • Remember, you are also being watched. • Your supervisor, other staff, and clients are all watching you to see how you fit with the agency. • How do you want to be remembered?

  7. Show Initiative • Don’t be afraid to volunteer your time and knowledge. • Let your supervisor know if you don’t have enough to do. • Challenge yourself. • Demonstrate your effectiveness and value to the agency. • Return to your learning contract.

  8. Be Reliable • If you agree to a task, do it. • Arrive on time and in appropriate attire. • Be attentive and follow directions.

  9. Embrace Learning • The end…or just the beginning? • Although this is a culminating experience as a student, it is just the beginning of a path of lifelong professional learning. • Be open to feedback and constructive critique from your field instructor, faculty liaison, and staff members. • View each experience, regardless of the “outcome,” as a valuable learning experience. • Remember to learn what not to do as well as what to do.

  10. To Err is Human • Just as a fish is expected to swim and a bird is expected to fly, a human is expected to make errors. • You will make “mistakes.” If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be human. • Spoiler alert: Your field instructor and faculty liaison know you’re human. We won’t be surprised when you show limitations. Don’t try to hide this. • However, don’t let this be a justification to provide less than your highest performance.

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