5 Tips for Success at Your Social Work Internship

by Jessica L. Faulk

     Internships are outstanding opportunities to expand your knowledge with firsthand experience. You will learn a great deal about yourself through the course of your internship, and you will gain a greater understanding of the nuances of the profession you have selected. No matter if it is your first or final internship, there is always room to grow. Encompassing the range from micro practitioners to macro advocacy, the following suggestions are designed to promote success in your unique environments. 

1. Ask questions.

     From the first day at your internship, it’s understandable that you would have a lot of questions about what is going on. How does billing insurance work? How is funding acquired? How should case notes be written? Every environment has specific practices, and it is important that you discover how it operates. In addition to learning by observation, couple that with targeted questions. You won’t look foolish for not knowing all the answers. You are there to learn. Give yourself permission to be a student.  

2. Take the initiative in forming professional relationships.

     There will likely be many other professionals that you interact with at your internship. While you may be gaining new responsibilities slowly, they are already entrenched and busy with their own careers. They may not be as easily able to dedicate time to welcoming or teaching you. Take the initiative in this arena by introducing yourself and learning what they offer the organization. Being friendly and courteous goes a long way, and it may be helpful to ask when it is convenient to visit with them. Even if their work is not your goal, you can learn from them and gain a greater understanding of the organization as a whole. If there are other social workers at your internship, they may be able to suggest new perspectives and techniques to help your clients more fully.

3. Be proactive in your education.

     You will learn a great deal at your internship, and you will ideally learn what you hoped to learn. Your internship supervisor may have specific goals for you, but there may also be flexibility or lulls in your schedule. Communicate with your supervisor what you hope to get out of the experience. If you want your own caseload, want to focus more on work with adolescents, want to learn about Medicaid resources - communicate. Your supervisor is an experienced practitioner and was once in your shoes. He or she may have additional tools, resources, and opportunities to offer you. Don’t be disappointed if your internship cannot help you reach all of your learning objectives - this is not the end of your learning journey. What you are unable to get at your internship, you can supplement with continuing education and your own study. There are innumerable books, websites, and research studies on nearly every micro and macro topic.

4. Be open to new learning.

     Although it is important that you be able to achieve the goals you set out to achieve, you can also benefit from being open to what you will learn. If you saw yourself working with children and find mostly adults in your office, treat the experience as a learning opportunity. It is possible your internship does not cater to your exact career ambitions, but you are still presented with a supportive environment for growth. The work you do with clients will be the best education you get, and you will learn more from them than any book or class can ever teach you. If you notice a service gap at your internship, take the initiative to fill it. With the support of your supervisor, volunteer to learn a new treatment modality or concentrate on an underserved population. Commitment to benefiting organizations and their clients demonstrates appreciation and integration of social work values.

5. Have a support system.

      At the end of the day, it is necessary to understand the work you do will be challenging. Your supervisor and professors may provide a sounding board for challenges you face, but you may find other individuals provide you with the specific support you need. You may benefit from advice from a pastor, from your cohort, from a therapist, your friends, or family. With respect for the confidentiality of your clients, be sure you have a place you can go to vent your personal concerns. It is important that you be able to refill your cup. The work you do is absolutely essential.

Jessica L. Faulk is an MSW student at Winthrop University with a BA in psychology from Arizona State University. She intends to earn her LCSW and practice psychotherapy.