On April 3rd, the Bachelor of Social Work Student Association (BSWSA) hosted a Field Experience Night. This event was designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice. This event aimed to provide underclassmen with an opportunity to ask questions and learn from seniors as they reflect upon their year of field practice, sharing honest reflections, hard-earned insights, and practical advice. While social work students are prepared for field through classes, it can be a daunting experience to take on. In hosting the field experience night, the BSWSA hoped to demystify the field experience, build community, and give upcoming seniors a chance to learn from their peers. 

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       The event started at 8:00 pm, featuring a panel of seniors who have been in their field practicum over the past year. All of the seniors introduced themselves and shared a bit about their field placement and what their work has been. This opened the floor for the audience to begin asking questions about the field experience. Some of the questions focused on logistics such as obtaining a placement and what paperwork looked like while others were more specific to self-care and tasks. The discussion was very insightful, highlighting the many facets of a social work field experience, reflecting on the experience. All of the seniors were clearly passionate about their work and were eager to share their experiences to better inform the upcoming seniors. 

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       Overall, the BSWSA’s first Field Experience Night was an incredibly valuable event for social work students. The success of the event would not have been possible without the generous contributions of our senior presenters and the thoughtful engagement of the students who attended. Their willingness to share both the triumphs and challenges of their practicum journeys created a space that was not only informative but affirming. The BSWSA is grateful to everyone who helped make the evening a meaningful exchange of knowledge and support. As we continue building a culture of continued growth and learning within the program, events like this remind us of the power of peer connection and the value of lived experience in shaping strong, compassionate social workers.

 

Speakers at this event included: Sadie Cox, Colleen Diep, Danielle Hall, Kaeli Jarvis, Joey Kniceley, Tori Leech, Hilda Quansah, Amelia Reedy, Keyshana Richard, Karla Rodriguez, Sarah Shaalan, Julia Stodard, Sharon Tamayo.