Planning preference

What population and field of practice am I interested in for my internship? It is helpful to think about the skills you will be able to learn or expand upon versus finding an opportunity that is your passion (e.g., people with disabilities rights), so you will only seriously consider these types of opportunities.

Do I want to broaden my experience regarding the size and type of program? For example, if you have always worked or volunteered in large, complex social service organizations, maybe you should consider a small, non-profit program. Or, if you have only worked or volunteered in host agencies like hospitals and schools, maybe you should consider a larger social work organization.

Do I want agency-based or community-based? Do I want in-home work or outpatient? Are you dreading the thought of doing a home visit, causing you to avoid those programs? Field work is a great opportunity to stretch yourself and experience settings, populations, and fields of practice that will enhance your skills and exposure to new settings.

1. Do I want a setting that is interdisciplinary? Do I want work in medical settings, educational settings, or military settings?

Do I want an agency that has experience working with graduate social work interns?

1. Do I want to challenge myself and work with a population that I hope I never have to work with? A student knows she has an “attitude” regarding homeless men and decides to challenge herself and intern with this population. She remarks that it is the best thing she ever did for herself because her biases were challenged and eliminated. Field work is a good opportunity to challenge yourself in these ways.

How can this field placement broaden my social work background? If you have only worked or volunteered with children and youth, you may want to consider interning with adults.

1. Some individual “nuts and bolts”:

How far can I realistically travel?

1. Will this program fit my schedule, i.e., will my schedule allow me to be at the internship during important meetings, client reviews, etc.?

Is there a lot of traveling involved in this internship or will I be agency-bound and never leave my office?

1. Will I have a space to work, i.e., desk, office, phone extension, access to the computer, etc.?