Ready or Not, Here We Come: Field Education and Developing a Professional Identity

Authors

  • Desiree Stepteau-Watson Desiree Stepteau-Watson, M.S.W., D.S.W. is Assistant Professor, University of Mississippi Department of Social Work (662-393- 9290; dswatson@olemiss.edu).

Abstract

This paper explores my experiences conducting a field seminar for bachelor of social work (BSW) students. I discuss the transformational process ofmoving from student to professional and my observations during this fourteen-week course. From my early concerns about their readiness to enter their field placement to their acquisition of a professional identity, the students demonstrate that professional identity development is a process that can have a rocky start, but result in a positive outcome.

Author Biography

Desiree Stepteau-Watson, Desiree Stepteau-Watson, M.S.W., D.S.W. is Assistant Professor, University of Mississippi Department of Social Work (662-393- 9290; dswatson@olemiss.edu).

Desiree Stepteau-Watson, M.S.W., D.S.W. is Assistant Professor, University of Mississippi Department of Social Work (662-393-
9290; dswatson@olemiss.edu).

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Published

2013-10-09

How to Cite

Stepteau-Watson, D. (2013). Ready or Not, Here We Come: Field Education and Developing a Professional Identity. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 18(2), 15–18. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/47