12.8 Key Takeaways and Discussion Questions
Included in this section are tools for the reader to refresh and retain the knowledge. A Key Takeaway serves one of three purposes:
- highlighting an especially complex aspect of the chapter;
- summarizing an overarching idea; or
- emphasizing an idea that invites the reader to think about it more deeply, to connect to life experiences, and/or additional learnings.
Discussion Questions are recommended for individual reflection or class discussion.
12.8.1 Key Takeaways
- Engaging in research such as informational interviews and webpage analysis will help ensure that you invest your fieldwork time in an agency that is a good fit for you.
- Organizational culture is both formal (artifacts, values) and informal (underlying assumptions). The most congruent agencies will have formal and informal cultures that align with each other, but not all workplaces are congruent!
- Self care is more than the physical care that you give yourself; it also involves cognitive activities such as mindfulness, trauma stewardship, and self-awareness.
- Degrees and licenses are complicated, vary from state to state, and can change over time. It is very important that you access current local information when you are making decisions about degrees and licenses.
12.8.2 Discussion Questions
- Take a look at the list of self-care strategies below. Which have you tried recently? Which might you be interested in trying in the future?
- Spend alone so you can think, meditate, and rest.
- Practice your spiritual beliefs or reach out to a faith leader for support.
- Take time away from work. Spend time with people you love.
- Find things to look forward to.
- Communicate with friends and family.
- Use journaling, art, or other expressive means.
- Write down something that bothers you and then burn it as a symbolic goodbye.
- Focus on letting go of stress or anger
- Discuss the concept of trauma stewardship. Is this something you have observed or experienced? How is trauma stewardship related to mindfulness?
- At this point in your education,what do you see as the next steps in your career path?
12.8.3 Licenses and Attributions for Key Takeaways and Discussion Questions
“Key Takeaways and Discussion Questions” by Elizabeth B. Pearce and Yvonne M. Smith LCSW is licensed under CC BY 4.0.