Challenging Traditions: The Field Education Experiences of Students in Workplace Practica

Abstract

Consonant with an ongoing commitment to increase access to social work educational opportunities, this paper presents the results of an evaluation of a pilot project by a Canadian university that supported workplace practica for undergraduate social work students. Often adopted in social work programs with high proportions of economically marginalized students, workplace practica are field education experiences situated in the student's regular place of employment. This paper summarizes the findings of an evaluative project which compares the learning experiences and academic outcomes achieved by students who have completed workplace practica to those who completed traditional unpaid practica. In contrast to the views of some field educators, student performance and experiences in workplace practica were found to equal or exceed those in traditional practica. Perceived benefits cited by students include the financial advantages associated with maintaining employment, enhanced accessibility to practicum opportunities, expediting degree completion and a deeper practicum experience. Students also confirmed concerns observed in the literature when they were expected to juggle a portion or all of their normal work roles with a new role. Implications of these findings in relation to the offering of workplace practicum are also discussed.

Linking collective self-esteem to well-being indicators of arts therapies students and practitioners: Meaning and engagement as mediators

“…This was consistent with the prediction that in-training fieldwork experiences would be balkanized from students' personal SWB in terms of not spilling over into their nontraining personal domain, most likely because it was limited in scope compared to other non-training personal obligations and responsibilities students often have during graduate training (Newman, 2010;Orkibi, 2012d;Pelech, Barlow, Badry, & Elliot, 2009). …”

Indigenous Practice Approaches to Women, Violence, and Healing Using Community Development: A Partnership between Indigenous and non Indigenous Workers

“…The increasing demands on students and the pressures of workforce shortages have necessitated changes by universities and the field to explore the possibility of workplace-based placements or workplace practicum (Pelech et al, 2009). The possibility of this workplace-based placement was initially discussed because of the worker/student's financial needs and the agency's commitment to supporting and retaining the worker/student longterm.…”

“…Field education has always been an integral component and powerful learning tool of social work education in preparing students for professional practice (Pelech, Barlow, Badry, & Elliot, 2009). Despite agency pressures, competing demands, and increasing complexity of the role, a well-thought out and managed placement can benefit all parties, with learning occurring on many levels.…”

Restructuring Social Work Field Education in 21st Century Canada

“…Participants reported dedicating a considerable amount of their work time and energy toward designing and implementing innovative practicum strategies. Social work education programs in Canada and elsewhere have successfully developed a variety of alternate placement models and processes (Anderson et al, 2012;Birkenmaier et al, 2012;Danis, Woody, & Black, 2013;Mishna, Levine, Bogo, & Van Wert, 2013;Panwar et al, 2014;Pelech, Barlow, Badry, & Elliot, 2009;Todd & Schwartz, 2009;Wiebe, 2010). A list of current strategies and suggested innovations discussed by participants is presented above in Table 2.…”