Social Work Field Observation Report

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On July 7th I had an interview opportunity with the Oasis Shelter in Owensboro, Kentucky. This was one of the numerous opportunities that I placed on my possible field interest to receive an internship at. I met with the director of the Oasis shelter in Henderson, Kentucky that afternoon for the interview. The interview went well, and I informed the director that I was a Sociology undergrad student looking to expand my knowledge with domestic violence. Towards the end of the interview, the director informed me “we do not accept many Master of Social Work students because MSW’s are know it all. The student thinks they know more than individuals in the social work field with five or more years of knowledge.” I received the directors contact I questioned the Field Instructor as to how to complete the intake process and I informed her that I did not have any experience in the Social Work field. The field instructor acted like she did not want to answer my questions nor for me to ask questions. Her response to how to show empathy is to read a manual explaining how to show empathy towards a client. Everyone in the room including the field instructor, task supervisor, and a secretary worker continued speaking about me not coming from a BSW background. One individual stated along the lines of “this is why you do not enter the social work field without having a background in the social work area.” She stated this very sarcastically and everyone in the room looked at her. She responded with “What? I was joking.” Her body language and facial expression indicated to me that she was not joking. I advocated for myself again informing her that I did not have any experience with an intake. This was in response to sending me to the crisis unit to shadow an individual who I did not know. The field instructor did not look too content with me responding with “who is this individual in the crisis unit? I have not met her

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