Getting Started

This journal assignment is an opportunity to further develop your skills of self-reflection so that once you successfully have completed this program, you will be able to continue to practice self-monitoring and personal reflection. These are integral behaviors of a social worker.

Background Information

This assignment allows you an opportunity to critically process your field experience. You will reflect on what you have observed and experienced, paying particular attention to what you have learned about being a social work professional and what concerns you may have. You should identify and reflect on areas for improvement, as well as strengths.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. In your assignment this week, reflect on your field placement as you begin to wrap up your time at the agency. Discuss your thoughts on the following as they apply:
   1. Any concerns you are having about your transition from the agency, any positive experiences you would like to highlight, or a valuable lesson learned during your time in this practicum.
   2. Challenges (tasks and duties before, during, and after interaction with clients) you anticipate in fulfilling your role of a professional social worker or concerns you have as you move forward in the program.
   3. Any personal and professional strengths you have developed through the course of the practicum, as well as those you feel you still need to develop to successfully fulfill the role of a social worker.
   4. Your ideas on, or an example of, how to best integrate the concepts of Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice addressed in this week’s competency focus, into your social work practice.