Getting Started in
Your First Three Weeks
Brian W. Simmons, LMSW
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What is My Role?
S As a practicum students, you have two roles.
S As a Student you will be Learning from:
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Field Instructor
Staff Members
Faculty Liaison
Other Class Members
S As an Intern, you will be Providing Services for:
S Clients
S Agency
S Community Partners
S Remember, at all times, you represent yourself, UGA, and social
work as a profession.
Where to Start:
S Meet with your field instructor.
S Make introductions to other staff members.
S Learn not only who they are, but what role they play.
S Ask questions and closely observe other employees.
S Learn first by observing, then by doing.
Field Instructor
S Your field instructor can be:
S Your greatest ally.
S A mentor and teacher.
S Your first line of support.
S An advocate for both you and your clients.
Study Your Agency
S Review agency policy manuals, mission statements,
procedural handbooks, and any other materials available.
S Identify:
S What is the purpose of the agency?
S Is there a particular philosophy driving the agency?
S Who do we serve?
S How do we serve?
S To whom are we accountable?
Observation
S Learn through observing.
S Not just what other workers do, but how they do it.
S How do others express empathy, engage in active listening,
confront clients, problem solve, etc?
S Remember, you are also being watched.
S Your supervisor, other staff, and clients are all watching you to
see how you fit with the agency.
S How do you want to be remembered?
Show Initiative
S Don’t be afraid to volunteer your time and knowledge.
S Let your supervisor know if you don’t have enough to do.
S Challenge yourself.
S Demonstrate your effectiveness and value to the agency.
S Return to your learning contract.
Be Reliable
S If you agree to a task, do it.
S Arrive on time and in appropriate attire.
S Be attentive and follow directions.
Embrace Learning
S The end…or just the beginning?
S Although this is a culminating experience as a student, it is just
the beginning of a path of lifelong professional learning.
S Be open to feedback and constructive critique from your
field instructor, faculty liaison, and staff members.
S View each experience, regardless of the “outcome,” as a
valuable learning experience.
S Remember to learn what not to do as well as what to do.
To Err is Human
S Just as a fish is expected to swim and a bird is expected to
fly, a human is expected to make errors.
S You will make “mistakes.” If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be
human.
S 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.
S However, don’t let this be a justification to provide less than
your highest performance.