This chapter focused on several aspects of the internship. Key topics were emphasized due to their relevance to your identity development as a Human Services worker. As much as possible several concepts were introduced regarding the ethics and standards of the Human Services profession as well as standar ethics from a philosophical perspective. Along with ethics and expectations of the client-professional relationship, self-building concepts were included to reinforce positive regard for the self along with strategies for self-care.

It is not always easy to prepare someone to enter a field that is very challenging due to the population it serves. But it is possible to provide them with the basic tools and concepts that can be expanded to include more complex capabilities as the need arises. The communication skills as well as the utilization of journals, peers, mentors and other professionals contribute major support to the intern during difficult times.

you started this journey of self exploration through the internship process noting some of the advantages of internships but also some of the challenges likely to face. Looking at the several sections of the chapter you should have recognized areas of strengths and weaknesses but, as you probably know, we are always changing and improving ourselves as we grow older and more experienced.