I Found Myself at this Practicum: Student Reflections on Field Education

Abstract

The field experience is understood to be pivotal in social work education. In this qualitative study, BSW students reflected on their learning outcomes and processes in their field experiences. They highlighted how their work in agencies helped them to operationalize social work values and ethics, develop an awareness of themselves as social workers, and enhanced their confidence. Implications for strengthening the practicum experience though more reflective experiences and enhancing the preparation of field instructors is discussed.