As I wrap up my first semester of field placement in the MSW program, I’ve realized how much I’ve learned outside of textbooks and lectures. Field is where theory meets the real world—and sometimes collides with it. So, to all the new MSW/BSW students preparing to dive into field: here are the hacks, truths, and lessons I wish someone had shared with me.
1. Not all placements are created equal.
Every field placement is unique. Your experience depends on the agency, your supervisor, the population served, and even office culture. Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s—it’s not a competition. Your growth will look different, and that’s okay.
2. Hack the learning plan.
This part can feel daunting—but here's the trick: use AI (ethically). I uploaded the learning plan / competencies, a description of my placement, and my supervisor’s role into ChatGPT and asked for “inspiration” on strategies and measurements. Game-changer. Also, if you’re new to your setting (like I was with a child advocacy center), ask classmates who have experience in that niche for help. And yes, you can share learning plans with peers in the same placement—collaboration is key.
3. Make a group chat.
If you’re placed with other interns, create a group chat. Our cohort has a chat for RAIN interns and it has became a lifeline—a space to vent, get advice, and just feel less alone, especially as online students navigating field remotely.
4. Track your learning plan.
Print it out. Turn it into a living document. Look at this tracker a student made. You want your field tasks to align with those goals. Overwhelmed supervisors might not always guide you—so advocate for yourself. At the start of the semester, communicate your goals. Pick items off the plan and say, “Hey, I’d like to work on this —can I get support?” It helps avoid those dreaded “I’m not sure what you can do today” from supervisors moments.
5. Lean on your peers and field class.
Be honest in field class. Vulnerability breeds support. Many of us had similar struggles—ethics questions, navigating drama, legal concerns. Create a culture of honesty from day one. Keep your camera on, participate, and support each other. As Professor Partridge reminds us, “You don’t know what you don’t know.”.
6. Build a field timeline.
It’s easy to lose track of where you are with hours. I created a week-by-week timeline with room for flexibility (like sick days or spring break). It helped me feel in control of my progress. View example.
7. Understand “banked hours.”
This confused a lot of us. Here’s the deal: you can’t bank hours until you’ve completed your required hours for the semester (e.g., 180 hours). After that, STOP entering them in Tavera—use the banked hours form instead. Between semesters, you can also earn hours (if you've completed the prior semester) and log them on that form. Once the new semester starts, you submit the form to your field professor and THEN enter them into Tavera.
8. Supplemental hours… still a mystery.
These are hours earned outside of placement—like trainings or conferences. They MUST be approved by your field liaison. Some supervisors are flexible, others are not. Always ask first. Don’t assume they count. Your core hours must be completed at your field site; however, it never hurts to ask how you can accumulate additional hours, or makeup hours in other valuable forms. Great site for monthly calendars of trainings | Continuing Education Courses | NASW-FL Events
9. You will figure it out.
The hours? Overwhelming. Life happens—some students quit jobs, switch placements, take breaks, or delay graduation. But trust: you’ll figure it out. USF has resources and people who care. Reach out. Ask for office hours. Set up mentorship meetings with faculty. I did—and every single time, I left more confident and capable.
10. Shift your mindset.
This part is temporary, but transformational. There’s pain in how hard it is—and payoff in how much we learn. I started telling myself: “I get to do this.” I get to contribute, to learn, to be new and full of energy in spaces that need it. And that shift changed everything.
This journey is hard. But it’s also powerful, and worth every ounce of effort. To every MSW student about to step into field—I'm rooting for you. You’ve got this.