Introduction and Alignment

In this assignment, you will have the opportunity to brainstorm possible sites for your upcoming field placement. You will review the IWU Field Placement website after reviewing the materials and article in this workshop. This assignment will help you prepare for your upcoming field placement by reflecting on the type of sites that you would like to work in, explore the website, explore how you will ensure that you get appropriate supervision during your field placement, how you will integrate your virtues and morals, and how you will exemplify Christian behaviors during your field placement without imposing them on either your clients or your colleagues.

Upon completion of this assignment, you should be able to:

• Analyze the impact of policies on delivery of services to various clients. (PO 5; ILO 8)
• Select best practices throughout the planned change process in a variety of helping situations. (PO 6, 7, 8, 9; ILO 8)
• Integrate input from supervisors and consultants to guide professional judgment and behavior. (PO 1)
• Demonstrate character, scholarship, and leadership in becoming a world changer through application to personal life and professional social work practice.
• Demonstrate Christ-like attitudes, values, worldviews, and ethical and professional behavior within advanced clinical practice. (ILO 1)

Resources

• Website: IWU MSW Field Placement
• File: Field Placement Student Initial Site Review Form.pdf
• File: Guidelines for Identifying a Field Placement.pdf
• File: MSW Field Practicum Manual.pdf
• File: SW Practice and the Internship.pdf
• Article: Preparing for Placements, Finding Your True Calling, and Surviving as a Student in the Field

Background Information

Field placements are where you gain practical experience in integrating theory, social work practice, policy, and professional and ethical values, as well as gain feedback and input on areas in which you are doing well and areas in which you can improve. Thus, it is valuable to reflect on your upcoming field placement.

First, you will review the IWU MSW Field Placement website at https://www.indwes.edu/adult-graduate/programs/master-social-work/field-education. Next you will read the MSW Field Practicum Manual as well as the Guidelines for Identifying a Field Placement files. You will also brainstorm possible populations that you would like to work with and identify sites in your area that you could complete an internship at. You will also read the article “Preparing for Placements, Finding Your True Calling, and Surviving as a Student in the Field”.

This assignment will give you an opportunity to not only consider your excitement, expectations, plans, and hopes for your upcoming field placement, but also to share any concerns or worries that you may have about it. You will also explore sites within your area that could be considered for the upcoming Field Placement. The instructor may have some helpful guidance or suggestions to assist you in better preparing for your upcoming field placement.

Instructions

1. Review the IWU MSW Field Placement site https://www.indwes.edu/adult-graduate/programs/master-social-work/field-education and the documents located there.
2. Read the article, “Preparing for Placements, Finding Your True Calling, and Surviving as a Student in the Field,” by Danielle Doskocil and Betsy Voshel from MSW Guide. http://www.mswguide.org/schools/the-ultimate-field-education-guide/#Preparing_for_Placements_Finding_Your_True_Calling_and_Surviving_as_a_Student_in_the_Field.
3. Complete the Field Placement Student Initial Site Review Form for TWO different sites in your area.
4. Complete the self-reflection questions on the SW Practice and Internship document for this week.
5. Review the rubric that your instructor will use to evaluate your work. Self-assess your assignment using the rubric and make improvements as needed to meet expectations and ensure that your work fulfills all the requirements.
6. Submit the self-reflection document as well as TWO copies of the Field Placement Initial Site Review Form to the Dropbox by the end of the workshop.