12.4 The Value of Field Education
Field education refers to the opportunity to take what you learn in your human services coursework and begin to apply your knowledge in a real world setting. The opportunity to apply and practice your skills in the community is considered such an important part of human services education that it is a required component of all accredited human services programs. Fieldwork usually comes at the end of a degree or certificate program, and can be referred to by many different titles such as internship, practicum, or cooperative work experience. Although the actual experience comes toward the end of your program, you can begin laying the groundwork for your fieldwork now.
12.4.1 Conducting Informational Interviews
One of the best ways to explore different areas in the field is to conduct informational interviews. An informational interview is an informal meeting with someone who works either at a position you are interested in or at an agency you would like to explore. It gives you a chance to meet with a professional in the field and ask them questions about their work. You can begin these interviews as early in your program as you like, and they are a good way to get to know the local agencies, the work they do, and make contacts in the field. Many instructors have guest speakers come to class and talk about their work and their agency. If one of these interests you, following up with an informational interview is a great way to find out more, and begin to create a list of possible sites for internships. Informational interviews can open the door to a more formal opportunity down the road.
12.4.2 Internships/Practicum Experiences
As mentioned in the introduction, field experience is considered such an important part of human services curriculum that it is required in any accredited program. What this experience looks like depends on a lot of factors, including what type of certificate or degree is being offered, whether or not you are pursuing a specific specialty (such as substance use treatment), and what specific requirements that may exist within the college or university.
The number of hours and the length of the internship may vary, but generally a practicum will include some specific experiences, such as shadowing employees, assisting with paperwork, attending meetings and trainings, and working one-on-one with clients.
12.4.3 Identifying Mentors
When making academic decisions and career plans, it is also useful to have a mentor who has had similar goals. A mentor is an experienced individual who helps to guide a mentee, the less experienced person seeking advice. A good mentor for a student who is engaged in academic and career planning is someone who is knowledgeable about the student’s desired career field and is perhaps more advanced in their career than an entry-level position. This is a person who can model the type of values and behaviors that are essential to a successful career.
Your college or university may be able to connect you with a mentor through an organized mentorship program or through the alumni association. If your college does not have an organized mentor program, you may be able to find your own by reaching out to family friends who work in your field of interest, searching online for a local professional association or organization related to your field (as some associations have mentorship programs as well), or speaking to the professors who teach the courses in your major. You may also find a mentor through your informational interviews.
12.4.4 Thinking About Fieldwork
As mentioned elsewhere in this section, you can begin preparing for your fieldwork at any time during your program. Here are some examples of how other students started identifying possible internship opportunities:
- Katelyn was conducting an informational interview as part of a class assignment. She chose to interview the director of a local agency she was interested in. The director identified documentation skills as one of the most challenging aspects of the work. Katelyn mentioned a documentation format she was learning in one of her classes. The director asked if she had an example, and Katelyn gave her one of her recently completed assignments. The director was so impressed with Katelyn’s documentation skills that she invited her back for an internship when she was ready. Katelyn reached out the following year and was accepted immediately.
- Zakir had to create a presentation about a local agency for his community resources class. He had just heard about the first recovery-based high school to open in the area, and he was excited to learn more. He researched the high school, and arranged to visit and meet with the principal. During their discussion, he found out that the school was still looking for recovery mentors to work with students on both academic issues and recovery challenges. Zakir, in recovery himself, asked whether they would be open to an intern. The following academic year, he became one of the first recovery mentors to work with their students. The high school now actively recruits mentors from the human services program each year.
- Gabriela’s Introduction to Human Services instructor offered extra credit to students who attended a monthly meeting of the local information and referral services group. The meeting was once a month at 7:30 a.m. Although the early morning meeting was a challenge, Gabriela decided to attend, and introduced herself as a human services student at the opening of the meeting. After the meeting, several attendees representing local agencies came up to her, mentioning how impressed they were by her eagerness and interest. Several offered her their cards and stated their willingness to be a resource to her in the future. She now had personal contacts at several agencies to refer to when looking for an internship site.
Be aware of opportunities in your own education to make connections. You never know when one of these connections can become a great fieldwork opportunity!
12.4.5 Licenses and Attributions for The Value of Field Education
12.4.5.1 Open Content, Shared Previously
“Identifying Mentors” from Baldwin, A. (2020). 4.4 Managing Change and the Unexpected. In College Success. OpenStax. Edited for concluding sentence.
12.4.5.2 Open Content, Original
“The Value of Field Education” by Yvonne M. Smith LCSW LCSW is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
“Thinking About Fieldwork” by Yvonne M. Smith LCSW LCSW is licensed under CC BY 4.0.