The Development of the Student Worker in Field Practice Training

Abstract

Findings from a pilot study on the field practice experience of undergraduate social work students give support to the postulation that in field practice, students go through a developmental process with stages, through which they learn to master practice knowledge and skills, develop personal awareness and establish a professional identity. The stages are roughly identified as "looking for certainty", "chaos" and "finding one's place". In each stage, common patterns of trainee needs, characteristics and emotional experiences are highlighted. Suggestions are made on how field instructors can provide the facilitating conditions for the students' learning and development through an understanding of these stages.