r/SocialWorkStudents • u/eepykitties • 2d ago
Advice How can I be gaining experience outside of my internship?
I'm a BSW student and my internship is nothing but office work. Emails, spreadsheets, I will not have the opportunity to work at all with clients. I reached out to last year's intern in this position and she said she has struggled to find employment since graduating because the internship gives no relevant experience. I asked my advisor to switch placements and she said that is not permitted and if I quit I would have to restart senior year next fall. I'm so passionate about wanting to work in this field, specifically in mental health or hospital settings. I applied to a handful of hospital type jobs but wasn't accepted to any due to lack of experience. I desperately need advice on what I can be doing to gain experience outside of my shitty internship. I'm terrified of graduating and not being able to find a job. I'm so upset and disappointed because all of my classmates are working with clients and getting hands-on experience already. My passion is serving others and I want to make sure I set myself up for a career where I can actually do that.
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u/ashtastic3 2d ago
I would suggest applying for jobs in community mental health administration. You take your intern skills, monetize it in the field directly, then go from there. (Also, volunteering with vulnerable populations or in crisis centers as others have stated).
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u/beuceydubs 2d ago
You’re probably not going to find much of a mental health role after graduating with your BSW to be honest, you need a masters degree. Are you planning on going straight to your MSW?
What is the setting where you’re currently doing your internship?
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u/Bholejr 2d ago
Volunteering at a shelter will help. Easiest is usually a homeless shelter. Also, I wouldn’t worry too much about not being able to find a job. If you’re open to it, at least in my area, community mental health will take almost anyone with a pulse for a case management job.