Special workshops and seminars are often offered on these topics. It is our educational philosophy that students need to begin a specific assignment early in their field placement, since this serves as the crux of their learning. Students should not be assigned to meet with clients or other similar tasks on the first day of Field Instruction. However, students should begin their first assignment by the third day in the agency. The field instructor should carefully prepare the student for this first assignment.
Assignments serve as the foundation out of which all subsequent field teaching grows.
The kinds of assignments that the field instructor selects directly affect the quality of education that one can provide to the student and the degree to which students can hope to meet the service needs of their clients. It is expected that beginning assignments will be available by the time the student arrives at the agency. The field instructor should thoroughly prepare the student for the first contacts. Students should be carrying their full complement of work about 8-12 weeks into the semester. In order to learn direct practice skills, students need the opportunity to begin their actual work.