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Journal-Reflections on Upcoming Field Placement Web Page
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Journal-Reflections on Upcoming Field Placement Web Page
The case study "I Knew This Internship Thing Would Blow Up!" highlights the
complexities and challenges that can arise in social work internships. The case study tracks
Jennifer Meadows' journey as she grapples with the predicaments arising from her collaboration
with a difficult trainee, Scott Campbell. Through this study, it can grasp the significance of
proficient communication, resolute differentiation of limits, and ethical judgment in social work.
Reviewing the Case Study
Learning from the case study, “I Knew This Internship Thing Would Blow Up!” one of
the main takeaways is the importance of communication and boundaries in the workplace
(Harley & Wolfer, n.d.). The case revolves around a conflict between an intern, Scott, and a case
manager, Rene, who is working with refugee populations in an organization called the
Immigration and Refugee Ministries Association (IRMA). The intern, Scott, was denigrated for
taking advantage of his colleague, Rene, for his gain and appropriating her expertise without
proper acknowledgment. As a result, the work environment became tense and unpleasant,
eventually leading to Rene's resignation and the supervisor, Jennifer, grappling with the
predicament. This analysis of the case provides several salient insights for consideration.
Another key learning from the case study is the importance of ethical decision-making in
social work practice (Walsh, n.d.). The decision to take on Scott as an intern without conducting
a proper background check resulted in negative consequences for Jennifer and the agency. This
situation raises important questions about the ethical responsibility of social workers to the
clients they serve and their obligation to adhere to ethical guidelines and policies. This caused
confusion and aggravation for the supervisor, who was grappling with a regime change and did
not adequately address the matter. It is vital for trainees to fully grasp and uphold the guidelines
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and frameworks of their institutions to avert comparable predicaments. Effective communication
plays a significant role in managing conflicts and issues in the workplace. Clear and direct
communication between all parties involved, including the intern, supervisor, and coworkers,
could have prevented this situation from escalating. Instead of forthrightly tackling the issue and
engaging in dialogue with his compatriot, Scott clandestinely conversed with the supervisor and
accosted Rene without her cognizance, exacerbating discord and mistrust. Hence, social work
interns must communicate candidly and with full disclosure to their cohorts and superiors and
broach any disputes or predicaments with civility and professionalism.
The case also highlights the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's
limitations as a social worker. Jennifer's desire to avoid bothering her supervisor with issues
related to the MSW internship shows her competency and a sense of responsibility (Doskocil &
Voshel, 2014). In this case, due to Scott's lack of supervision, he encountered disorientation and a
need for more guidance, resulting in him feeling inundated and unassisted in his duties.
Oversight offers guidance and assistance and guarantees ethical and proficient conduct.
Inadequate supervision poses a hazard to the trainee, colleagues, and service recipients, thus
necessitating social work interns to convey their needs for suitable oversight and solicit guidance
from their superiors when necessary.
Balancing Responsibility and Independence
In order to guarantee efficient oversight and match accountability with autonomy, social
work trainees must grasp their obligations and duties within the practical setting. It is imperative
for trainees to communicate their anticipations and limits with their overseers effectively and to
be open to acknowledging and following instructions and directions. In Scott's case, his lack of
correspondence with his supervisor and refusal to heed guidance led to a rupture in their working
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rapport, exacerbating predicaments in the placement. Henceforth, interns must balance being
accountable and self-sufficient and solicit assistance from their overseers when necessary.
Another way to balance responsibility and independence is to have clear and achievable goals
and objectives for the placement. Possessing a comprehensive comprehension of the intent and
standards of the placement can empower interns to assume obligations and duties with poise and
self-sufficiency. It is imperative for interns to effectively communicate their aspirations and
expectations with their superiors to ensure congruence and foster a sense of obligation and
authorship within the placement.
Shifting from seeing supervision as a form of control to viewing it as a form of support
and guidance can also help balance responsibility and independence. Often, interns may resist
supervision, seeing it as challenging their autonomy and competence. However, charges may
oppose supervision, perceiving it as an impediment to self-governance and proficiency.
Efficacious supervision presents lucrative opportunities for learning and cultivates principles of
righteousness and adeptness. It befits charges to grasp the purpose and significance of
supervision in their intellectual and personal growth and to elicit assistance from their
supervisors in synchronizing responsibility and independence with efficiency.
Exemplifying Christian Values in Field Placement
A key component of social work practice is the integration of virtues, ethics, and
Christian behaviors in work with clients and colleagues. In field placement, interns may come
across clients from diverse backgrounds with different beliefs and values, making understanding
and respecting their perspectives while integrating Christian values essential.
In this case, Scott established a lack of respect for the cultural values and beliefs of his
colleague, Rene, and used her for his gain, which goes against the Christian value of treating
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others with deference and kindness. As trainee social workers, we must contemplate our intrinsic
values and convictions introspectively and diligently endeavor to embody these principles while
reverencing and appreciating the divergent outlooks of those around us. Another way to
exemplify Christian behaviors in field placement is to promote social justice and empower
clients to achieve their full potential. Social work interns can use their knowledge and skills to
advocate for marginalized and oppressed individuals and communities while empowering them
to become active participants in their own lives. This can be achieved through attentively
attending to clients' grievances, comprehending their qualities and necessities, and cohesively
collaborating with them to pinpoint aspirations and techniques for transformation.
The case study "I Knew This Internship Thing Would Blow Up!" highlights the
importance of adhering to policies and procedures, effective communication, proper supervision,
and balancing responsibility and independence in social work internships. As aspiring social
work practitioners, it is imperative to critically assess this case and extrapolate pivotal insights to
guarantee a fruitful and profound field immersion. The manifestation of Christian principles in
practical encounters must be upheld by advocating for cultural modesty societal equity, and
facilitating self-realization to maintain the ethical and moral codes of the vocation.
References
Harley G., & Wolfer. T.A, .I Knew This Internship Thing Would Blow Up!
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Walsh, J. (n.d.). A Theories for Direct Social Work Practice.
http://ndl.ethernet.edu.et/bitstream/123456789/4906/1/46.pdf.pdf
Doskocil, D., & Voshel, B. (2014,). Social Work Field Education Guide | MSWGuide.org.
MSWGuide.org
https://www.mswguide.org/schools/the-ultimate-field-
educationguide/#Preparing_for_Placements_Finding_Your_True_Calling_and_Surviving
_as_a_Student_in_the_Field
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