5 Things MSW Students Should Know About Internships
- Do Not Settle
- Interview the Interviewer
- Be Confident Yet Open
- Practice Makes Progress
- The Internship is an Interview
The internship is the last step towards becoming a Social Worker. Master of social work (MSW) students begin thinking about the internship from the first days of their first courses. There are many aspects about the internship process that cannot be found in the pages of textbooks or the slides of lectures. Here are five of the things MSW students should know about internships that no one ever told them.
Do Not Settle
The pressure is high to find an internship before the deadline passes. This leads a lot of MSW students to accept the first internship they are offered…regardless of what it is. Keep in mind that the internship shapes the future career. This is where the strongest connections and networks are formed. It is therefore important to choose an assignment that speaks to each students’ passions and prepares them for their unique career goals. The best way to prepare is to do research on assignments early, apply early, apply for several, and prepare thoroughly for each interview.
Interview the Interviewer
Social work is a field in which one must constantly ask questions in order to fully assess each client’s situation and find them the solutions and services they need for success. This inquisitiveness and critical thinking must be displayed during interviews for internship assignments. Come prepared with questions, but also with the ability to come up with questions as the interview unfolds. Not only does this show the interviewers that you are a skilled social worker who will be an asset to their organizations, but it also ensures that you get all the information you need to determine if it is the right assignment for your passions and career goals. The Social Work Career Center offers this interview preparation guide.
Be Confident Yet Open
The key to a successful internship experience is to find the ideal balance between demonstrating what you know and acknowledging what you do not know. Interns must be able to perform their work skillfully and put the knowledge gained during their MSW programs into practice. They must also be willing to learn from the experts and tailor their work to the specific procedures and needs of their assignments. Asking questions when unsure is not a sign of weakness, but rather an indication of an ability to think critically and work collaboratively.
Practice Makes Progress
The only way to become a seasoned social worker is to do social work. The internship is the last opportunity to work in a setting with so much support from peers, professionals, and practitioners. Take advantage of this. Ask for extra assignments and a wide variety of tasks in order to learn as much as possible and prove that even though you are an intern, you are a valuable part of the team. Offer assistance to everyone in the organization, because it is important to gain a global perspective on role of social work in society.
The Internship is an Interview
One should think of being an intern as being on one long interview. Remember that every single person you encounter is a possible connection, future source of a recommendation letter, or witness to your personal and professional abilities. Social work involves working with people at their most vulnerable, so even the way you treat your colleagues in the lunch room says a great deal about the type of social worker you will become. Make sure it says something positive.
Related Resource: 50 Best Online MSW Programs
The internship process is intimidating and challenging, yet it should also be positive and rewarding. Keep these five things in mind from the beginning of the search through the day of completion. A good internship experience is the foundation of a successful and enjoyable social work career.