RBWilliams

Thank you! Just did it.

Thanks so much! I will be going to check them out tomorrow just to narrow down which meets my needs. Gotta call my school about an educational discount before I purchase and free software.

OK, it is official. I will be doing my field practicum with a therapist, who does School Based Therapy at five elementary schools. I'm so excited. I did get offered placement from all three agencies. I did get to make the choice for placement from the three choices. The therapist notified my Field Placement Director and emailed me to make the offer. I notified my Field Placement Director of offer and asked her, if I could accept. She said yes. Just so you know. My Field Placement Director and I discussed this particular agency and she felt it would suit me, my background and future goals. All of my interviews went very well. I honestly could have worked at any of them and been very happy. When I initially was choosing my three agencies, the one I chose was not on my original list. One fell of for some reason and it was sent by my Field Placement Director. I didn't think I was interested, but I didn't really know what that agency did at school. School Based Therapists are totally different than the School Counselors (my confusion). When I interviewed with her, things just clicked that this was where I wanted to do my practicum. I really had to be open to all of them and be interested in learning about them, because I wasn't sure who would decide where I would go. I will be doing a variety of things such as, therapy groups, managing a small caseload and working with five elementary schools with the Therapist. I'm super excited about this. I did send Thank You Letter to all the agencies after my interviews. I also notified the other two agencies of my decision. I thanked them again for the interview and opportunity to do my practicum with their agency. Then I told them I looked forward to possibly working with their agency in the future. You just never know when you may be working in the community with them in the future, as a student, employer or service provider. I wanted to be courteous in letting them know I appreciated their time and offer. So, I hope this helps someone. I wasn't sure what else to tell ya'll about. Please feel free to ask and I will answer it, if I can. Wishing everyone the best on the Field Placement search/assignment.

Thanks! I will check with my school on the free software

Oh wow, that is great. I use kindle app all the time and love amazon.....will check prices out....just to see....I got 5 mos before school starts. I do see those options in my Kindle app reading.

I will be starting MSW program this fall and I need a new computer. I have always owned only PC's and have bought every 2-3 years because they get a virus or just die on me. Plus, the cost of Microsoft programs and I hate Windows 8. All that being said....lol, I'm kinda scared of getting a Mac. Yet, I really wanna give it a try and have a computer that last more that 2 to 3 years. My school assignments MUST be submitted in Microsoft Word and I saw there is a version for MAC. How hard is the shift from PC to a MAC system. I will wait right before school to get a newer version, but how steep will the curve be to know what the heck I'm doing for Grad school. Any input is appreciated.

That is what I'm thinking. Buying it will be then.

Starting MSW grad school this fall. Having been to school since 1997...lol. I'm a visual person and feel I NEED to have a hard copy books to mark up as I please. Is any one renting or buying digital? While I do buy digital books for my e-reader, I still enjoy hard books and freak out over digital text books. Though it would make it easier for transporting. Any other ideas on this? Thanks!

Be interested to see what folks have to say. My school has a generalist concentration, but you can choose electives to concentrate in whichever area you choose. I'm finding myself interested in the clinical side, but I would like to learn a lot more.

My interview for the MSW program was done by the Field Placement Director. During the interview, she told me if I got accepted to the MSW program she would be the first to notify all MSW students to get started on the Field Placement Process. When I got the email, she included the Field Placement Application, Field Placement Roster of Agencies and Field Placement Options form. I field out application and reviewed the Field Placement Roster of Agencies for about 2 wks. We could not contact any of the agencies. I looked them up on google, facebook and asked friends about some agencies. I wanted to see where they were located, history of agencies, type of services they provided and any info on practicum work they listed. My Field Placement Director did recommend one of my options, during my interview, just based on my education and work history. I selected the other two just based on the client base I wanted to work with and how I wanted to specialize my MSW degree. Look at your schools website and see if they list the process or guidelines for contacting the Field instructor. You could even contact the person who told you when the field instructor would contact you and ask if you can contact them directly. Glad you asked a question....lol, I didn't know if folks were interested in hearing about the process or not.......I will come back to let everyone know my choice...

Ok, I had my two Field Placement interviews with two agencies. They went great and I was really excited about what both places were doing and what they offered as a placement opportunity. I did talk to my Field Placement Director and I do get to pick, which one I want. Mind you that is if the agency wants me. I got good feedback from both. One was doing another interview that same day, but the second one was not. She loved me and was not gonna do any more interviews. She has to run it by her administration.....so, gonna wait till hear back from them both. I did google for Field Placement Interview questions and got lots. Both potential questions the agencies may ask and some I could ask. I did use the majority, which really help me remember to ask key questions...for example type work student would perform, work hour requirements, field supervisor, work space, safety protocols, etc...I am really excited about both places. One MAJOR lesson learned.......don't get so caught up in where YOU THINK you may want to go and keep an open mind for all places you choose. I really was set on one thing and ended up loving what I learned in the interview and another place. It was really just like a job interview. I dressed in dress and heels. I had a binder with each agencies information, my questions, paper, pens and essentials only in it. I got to each place 15 mins early. I will do my thank you notes to each and mail tomorrow. They did ask what I would bring to the organization, which was on my list of questions I googled. So, I was prepared to answer that and other questions. I will come back and let you know which I picked once it is official. Really getting excited now. Hope this helps someone!

Well, my Field Director did recommend one to me, but as an option of three choices. Have to interview with all of them. However, I'm not sure if the final decision will be mine of the three or the Director. Will meet with her to discuss once finished with interviews. So, will see and let everyone know how it goes. So.....no one else has any thoughts or feelings on their Practicums........

Only found a few topics on this...Was accepted to my MSW program and they require us to do field placements the first year. My areas are Volunteers of America, Restorative Justice and a private practice mental health therapist, who does work at several elementary schools. My school focuses on a Generalist view the first year. My question is what field placement options is everyone else considering and what factors go into field placement you want to choose. I have interviews schedule for all but Volunteers of America and waiting to schedule that. Just interested in what everyone else is doing. I'm really interested in Volunteers of America, but will see how the interviews go....Thanks!

Oh, to clarify, if you transferred your Post 9/11 benefits and are approved for college with VocRehab, they won't make you use the Post 9/11 benefits...ugg, yeah they are picky

Oh, forgot this for veterans, regarding VocRehab and Post 9/11 GI bill. If you have not used the Post 9/11 GI Bill and did not transfer it to your children or spouse before you got out military, VocRehab will make you use the Post 9/11 GI bill first before they will let you use VocRehab for college, if you get approve for college thru them. Ben Krause (hope spelled right) has a blog that advocates for veterans and he has lots of info on getting VocRehab to pay for retraining thru additional college training (MSW, PHD, Law school,,,etc.). Just for anyone considering this option.

Plus, the Yellow Ribbon program, for those schools that participate, helps with the cap limits....you can google those schools participating in Yellow Ribbon program for Post 911 GI Bill...my school is on the list

Having just initiated the VocRehab process, its focus is on Employment, not education.....and is not guarantee, as I just learned. Yes, some folks do get education paid for once it is established you are not employable with your current skills, due to service connected disabilities. One counselor may say yes and one may say no....mine said no. Yes, you can fight and appeal, but just don't assume you just apply for it and it gets approved.