MSW STUDENT AND INTERNSHIP ROLES AND EXPECTATIONS CHANGING

MSW STUDENT AND INTERNSHIP: ROLES AND EXPECTATIONS CHANGING LIVES

ATTITUDE MATTERS A positive attitude is important

Conduct yourself according to the NASW Code of Ethics Treat all peers, instructors, and others with dignity and respect at all times Listen while others are speaking Shows respect for other’s opinions Remain open to constructive feedback from and faculty supervisors Use positive and nonjudgmental language

Demonstrate a willingness to understand diversity in people regarding age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation Conduct yourself according to established laws, professional agency policies Support the concept of client self‐determination

Uses derogatory language or demeaning remarks Appears unwilling or unable to accept feedback from faculty or supervisor Unwilling or unable to develop an understanding of people different from oneself Discriminatory behavior or harassment towards others on the basis of age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation Academic misconduct

Being late for field (or class) or leaving early. Disrupting learning process (talking to others, being on cell (yes, texting is disruptive), computer, etc…. ) Frequently interrupting when others are speaking Creating conflict in field (or class. . ) Being a know-it-all or having an attitude of entitlement WARNING SIGNS THAT YOU ARE HEADING FOR DIFFICULTY

COMMUNICATION Your USI email is the email that we will use example: jasmith@eagles. usi. edu We will only communicate through this email address. You must check this email FREQUENTLY!!!

Academic Learning: the student may apply and test knowledge learned in the classroom to a professional work environment. Career Development: the student may explore a specific field of interest, expand his or her professional network and gain and understanding of the “real” work of a Social Worker Skill Development: the student gains an understanding of the transferable skills and knowledge required for success in a professional work environment Personal Development: the student gains decisionmaking skills, self-confidence, business savvy, ethics, and teamwork required for success in a professional work environment. WHAT AN INTERNSHIP IS Working in Harmony with Social Workers and other professionals

A Guarantee Job Offer: YOU SHOULD VIEW THE INTERSHIP AS A SEMESTER (YEAR LONG) INTERVIEW! Although some interns are offered employment as a result of contacts they make during their internships, there is no guarantee that an internship will result in a job. WHAT IT IS NOT ! Time to Act Like a Resident Expert: Most students do not have the time, expertise, or knowledge. This is an opportunity to test prior learning in a humble and tactful way. THIS IS THE SINGLE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT FROM FIELD PLACEMENTS!!

• A Go-fer Position: A fine balance must be cultivated between ensuring the student has a meaningful learning experience and addressing the completion of more routine work responsibilities involved in all positions and projects. • REMEMBER: OUR HOST AGENCIES ARE NOT–FOR–PROFIT • An Easy Grade: A supervisor expects an intern to be a contributing member to the organization, just like an employee.

Be a good worker Arrive on time (this means arrive 10 minutes early to be ready to start at your start time) HOW TO CONDUCT YOURSELF IN FIELD!

Be careful of your social networking sites. EVERYTHING IS DISCOVERABLE! Everything You Post On Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Snap chat…. can Be Found!!! There is a reason it is called the WORLD –WIDE –WEB MANAGE YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION

They may not be thrilled with that tattoo you love. Or A green lizard on your head. It could prevent you from getting offered a job. Cover body art with clothes or make up. Hair should be professional and clean Piercings – it may vary from agency to agency (in some agencies men are not allowed to have any piercings. Women are only allowed to wear one set of earrings) no facial or mouth piercings YOUR AGENCY IS ALSO A BUSINESS – SO YOU NEED TO LOOK PROFESSIONAL

No Low Riding, Grungy Jeans No Pajamas no gym shoes - Closed toe shoes NO BBB No revealing/sheer clothing/Spaghetti straps No Boobs, Belly or Butt (men or women)

In most settings business casual is appropriate. Clothes should be clean, and wrinkle free (this may mean ironing) If you need to dress down your agency will tell you. It’s always better to be told to dress more casually, rather than be told what you are wearing is inappropriate for the profession. CLOTHING

LANGUAGE: No 4 letter-words!! Remember to use your “inside voice” when in a professional setting. You do not want to accidently break confidentiality because you are talking too loudly!

DON’T HAVE A DUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CLIENTS (sexual or otherwise) DON’T DO THIS!!! HAVE A DRINK AND GO TO YOUR INERNSHIP WITH BEER BREATH (they will notice) This includes all substances, not just beer

Personal life: This is not the place to share all the “Stuff” you have experienced. The therapists you are working with are not your therapist. Get your stuff together! NOT YOUR PERSONAL THERAPIST

Can I be fired from field? yes

TERMINATION FROM FIELD Circumstances which may prompt a recommendation that a student discontinue field education include the following: Low Academic Performance. Failing/Inadequate performance in Field. Personal Problems, which interfere with student performance. Unprofessional Behavior: including unethical or illegal behavior. Negative Attitude: which impairs the student’s ability to actively participate in the learning experience. Inability to function in the role of a student. Inability to work within the framework of supervision.

INSURANCE: HEALTH CARE AND LABILITY

You are required to have healthcare coverage. You are not an employee of your internship agency and therefore not covered under workers compensation. If you do not have healthcare coverage of your own you may get it from USI Student Clinic – less than $50. 00 Health. Care. gov or 1 -800 -318 -2596 HEALTH INSURANCE (TTY: 1 -855 -889 -4325).

We strongly recommend you have professional lability insurance. NASW offers student coverage at affordable rates. http: //www. naswassurance. org/malpractice/student-liability-individuals/ OR Call 855 -385 -2160 to speak with a knowledgeable, licensed representative. LABILITY INSURANCE

REMEMBER THIS IS A PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM…. . MAKE SURE YOU ARE THERE WHEN SCHEDULED GET THERE ON TIME (AT LEAST 10 MINS BEFORE YOUR SHIFT STARTS DO GOOD WORK DO ALL OF THE WORK ASSIGNED TO YOU BE A TEAM PLAYER ENTER THIS TIME WITH AN ENTHUSIASM FOR LEARNING HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE FINAL THOUGHTS

AMBASSADOR You are an ambassador! You are not just representing yourself, but all Social Work students at USI. If you are difficult, have a bad attitude or work ethic, then Agencies will assume all Social Work students are difficult, lazy and have bad attitudes.