Congratulations on beginning your senior internship and your final steps towards graduation! Students commonly experience a range of feelings at this stage, from excitement to anxiety.

Your senior field internship is the opportunity to showcase your knowledge, skills, and abilities.  This is also the opportunity to deepen your understanding of diverse populations of clients, create lasting professional relationships, and increase your confidence for your career in social work. There will hopefully be many “ah-ha” moments, such as when you connect theories with on-the-ground experiences working with clients, learn something about yourself and your abilities, and witness social work values in action.

One thing to remember about your internship is that it is a learning experience.  This is the time to lean into your discomfort and try new things, apply what you learned in your social work courses, and trust in yourself that you will succeed.

 At the end of the day I am only guaranteed now. Gloria Weaver, Social Work Class of 2020

The content included in this OER is intended to provide you with some basic ideas and strategies and integrate content you’ve learned in your social work courses.

This OER was written for Metropolitan State University social work students, with application to internships and career preparedness for students across the country.

Thank you to the Social Work faculty for the many conversations about social work education:

At Metropolitan State University – Marilyn Vigil and Mary Martin (professors emeritus), Sonia Davila-Williams, Dr. Neal Thao, Robert O’Connor, Don Eubanks, Dr. Elena Izaksonas, and Ellen Holmgren.

At University of Wisconsin-Superior – Elizabeth Twining Blue, Mimi Rappley-Larson, and Lynn Amerman Goerdt.

And the many social work students, alumni, and colleagues I have worked with over the years!