2.  Many responsibilities: ◦ Making sound practice decisions ◦ Meaningfully applying classroom concepts to real- life situations ◦ Demonstrating excellent work habits  Punctuality, preparedness, etc. ◦ Producing professional-level writing ◦ Relating with professionals ◦ Following professional ethics ◦ Meeting expectations

3.  Stumbling blocks ◦ Prevention? ◦ How to deal with them?  Don’t expect perfection from yourself ◦ Unnecessary pressure

4.  Everyone makes mistakes ◦ Especially during new experiences (i.e. job)  Step 1: Admit that a mistake was made ◦ Unsure? Uncomfortable feeling? ◦ Discuss w/mentor ◦ Obtain direct feedback; discuss corrective action

5.  Someone else perceives that you made a mistake ◦ Sometimes we are unaware  They point it out to you  Caught off guard  Defensive ◦ Try to acknowledge the feedback ◦ Apologize sincerely ◦ Discuss corrective action

6.  Ongoing pattern of unprofessional behavior  Intern = Employee ◦ Same policies apply  Confidentiality  Professional boundaries  Inappropriate behavior w/staff or clients  Actions that result in physical or mental harm to client  Ethical issues  Using substances while at the placement  Dress code violations  May result in termination  Discuss policies, expectations w/mentor

7.  Most intern problems related to... ◦ Arriving on time ◦ Staying for full work period/late on occasion ◦ Attending work reliably ◦ Using professional writing ◦ Dressing appropriately ◦ Being productive ◦ Being pleasant, energetic & alert ◦ Getting along w/staff ◦ Being flexible ◦ Carrying out duties reliably, promptly, efficiently

8.  Value these traits in any organization  Not paid, but should treat it like a job  Supervisor will likely be a reference ◦ Could potentially hire you  CASE STUDY: TAMARA

9.  “How much should I tell clients?”  “Is it alright to socialize with clients?”  “How involved should I get in clients’ lives?”  “Is it appropriate to accept a date with an employee in my field agency?”  “Is it appropriate to develop a personal relationship with my supervisor?”

10.  Urge to “rescue” clients  Over-involved  Client self-determination ◦ Growth and learning through problem-solving ◦ May foster dependence  “Err on the side of caution”

11.  Other staff w/boundary issues ◦ Romantic interests/advances ◦ Asking you to buy things they (or their children) are selling ◦ Working in businesses owned by mentor during internship hours  If saying no seems impossible or uncomfortable, ask for time to think about it ◦ Discuss w/mentor or field supervisor!

12.  Personal relationships w/clients ◦ Conflicts of interest ◦ Ethical Standards violation  Personal relationships w/staff or supervisor ◦ Conflicts of interest ◦ Affects the ability to give and receive constructive feedback ◦ Exploitation of student ◦ Less-than-ideal learning environment

13.  Work vs. personal life ◦ Lifelong process of learning, self-discipline  Working too much ◦ Consistently staying at office late, many hours ◦ No “mental break” even when away  U.S. culture: Productivity is valued ◦ Pressured to exhaust yourself, neglect needs ◦ Guilt

14.  Self-Care ◦ Necessary to maintain effectiveness at work ◦ Physical, emotional, social, spiritual needs  Burnout ◦ Don’t learn to manage professional demands effectively ◦ “State of physical, emotional, mental exhaustion...” ◦ “Characterized by feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, negative view of self and negative attitudes toward work, life and other people...”

15.  Burnout (cont.) ◦ More serious effects:  Depression  Anxiety  Physical problems: headache, stomach problems ◦ Also effects quality of work & therefore  Agency CASE STUDY: VAN

16.  Budget cuts ◦ Less staff (who are overworked) ◦ Less $ for training and for resources  Prevention ◦ Leaving office door ajar ◦ Situating furniture ◦ Awareness of exits  De-escalation ◦ Stay calm, speak slowly in normal tone, listen empathetically ◦ Especially dangerous situation: Try to find an exit strategy without further irritating client (i.e. offer to get water)

17.  How is your placement going?  What kinds of issues are you experiencing at your agency? ◦ Making mistakes ◦ Maintaining good work habits ◦ Maintaining boundaries w/clients, staff or mentor ◦ Maintaining work-life balance ◦ Keeping safe ◦ Receiving supervision/feedback ◦ Others?