Social Work Field Education: Self-assessment

Since the start of my field education experience, I’ am striving to identify as a professional rather than an amateur. This involved showing transition from an intern to social work professional. Notably, I need to have a greater sense of integrating with staff and other members of the practicum agency. One important professional objective during my time in the practicum agency is to incorporate social work principles in a manner that guides social work practice. The outcomes that reflected the professional goal was identifying and understanding ethical dilemmas that arose in the organization. Assignments that reflected this objective included weekly writing assignments and feedback from the instructor. Field education experience gives me a platform to integrate what I learned online in a real environment.

Another professional objective is to apply critical thinking in my practice and make professional judgments. The outcomes of my goal involved using crucial thinking during my interaction with clients. This was established by using social work theoretical frameworks, and the main goal was to engage diversity in practice. To meet this objective, I had to explain a great sense of diversity as it relates to different client populations. I engaged with clients based on their needs. Engaging in research-informed practice is yet another objective during my field education practice. The outcome of the purpose involved a greater understanding of the theories in social work practice and how to incorporate when working with clients from diverse. In general, the goal helped shape my work with staff and clients.

As I continue with the field education experience, I am learning the skills of maintaining exposure, during the time of conflict. Practice behavior involved distinguishing between the sources of knowledge and practice knowledge. Application of critical thinking skills is an integral step that informed my training and professional judgment. Recognizing the extent at which clients’ culture affected the marginalized group also became integral such that it created self-awareness trait. As a result, dealing with clients coming from diverse ethnicity never became an issue. Consulting with the instructors also proved beneficial to my practice. I think I was able to acquire cultural competence by keeping constant communication with instructors. This involved addressing practice questions to both the supervisor and the instructor through dialogue.

Besides, familiarity and respect to all cultures with unique backgrounds became a central point of focus during my field education experience. In achieving this, I am open and non-judgmental to different opinions. Documenting the relationship with clients proved beneficial because it helped me recognize and understand the importance of having different life experiences. It is worth noting that research helped me significantly more, primarily when I worked with clients from diverse backgrounds. The study helped me understand clients’ needs better and allowed me to improve. It also developed trust and built rapport with clients to increase the comfort with clients and enhance the ability to share emotions and feelings. Thus, interaction with staff and feedback from the instructor plays a significant role in my academic journey and professional growth in social work practice.

Works Cited

1. Council on Social Work Education. (2015). Educational policy and accreditation standards. https://www.cswe.org/getattachment/Accreditation/Accreditation-Process/2015-EPAS/2015EPAS_Web_FINAL.pdf.aspx
2. National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
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10. Thyer, B. A. (2017). The handbook of social work research methods. Sage Publications.