Assignment Overview The purpose of the assignment is to prepare you for the soci
Assignment Overview The purpose of the assignment is to prepare you for the social work practice setting. You will conduct an informational interview with a social worker in the local community. This interview provides you the opportunity to explore various aspects of the organization or agency (including its structure, policies, and client population served), as well as to learn if the organization or agency accepts social work interns. Furthermore, the assignment allows you to practice and enhance your professional interviewing skills in a real-world social work setting. For this assignment, you will: Select one of the three agencies you identified in your Week 2 discussion to be the place where you will conduct a face-to-face informational interview. Conduct the interview in a setting where you have interest in completing your advanced internship practicum or a site where you have interest in gaining insight about the organization. Review the Interview Preparation provided by the Career Center to prepare for your face-to-face interview. Use the Informational Interview and Analysis Form to help you conduct the informational interview with a social worker. Be professional in your attire and presentation of questions and enjoy the experience. Informational Interview Form Upon completion of the interview, you will complete the Informational Interview and Analysis Form and submit it for grading. The Informational Interview contains the following information: Interviewer: Enter your name. Interviewee: Enter social worker’s name. Date of Interview: Enter MM/DD/YY. Organization/Agency Name: Enter full name of organization/agency. Director/Administrator Name: Enter full name of director or administrator. Client population served: Enter, for example, youth, families, clients with HIV, or seniors. List your top five interview questions. Share the mission, vision, and/or goal statement of the organization (request a copy of these documents or an opportunity to review them). Describe the structure of the organization or agency (for example, a review or discussion of the organizational chart or hierarchy, the name of the CEO or director, hours of operation). Include the number of employees in the organization, along with the number of social workers employed and the social workers’ education levels (BSW, MSW, DSW, etc.). Discuss if the organization provides social worker internship opportunities. Describe the ethical principles used in the organization to promote social, economic, and environmental justice. Discuss the funding sources (stakeholders) of the organization. These may include federal and state grants, private grants and donations, local sponsors, or anyone who contributes to the organization. Describe how the funding supports, or can support, social, economic, and environmental justice. Explain how the agency utilizes best practice interventions to address diversity and differences. Discuss the ethical use of technology by the organization and its impact on service delivery (for example, conducting assessments via Zoom, using e-mail with clients, or keeping records electronically). Explain the leadership style used in the organization (for example, top-down approach, shared leadership approach, task centered approach) and explain how leadership skills and technology are essential to client advocacy for the population(s) served. Explain how the agency uses technology to inform social work practices, policies, and intervention, including confidentiality. How could you use technology and leadership skills in your advanced internship practicum to support your work with the clients, the site supervisor, and community? Explain how the agency uses emerging technologies to advance social work practice. Evaluate the application of leadership, technology, and interpersonal skills needed to provide systems-based interventions. Explain how client data is collected, organized, and interpreted in social work practice. Explain techniques used during the interview that present a professional demeanor (NASW Code of Ethics, prepareness, interpersonal skills, etc.). Explain what you learned from the interview experience that can help in your advanced practicum. Explain any challenges or unexpected experiences during the interview. -How would you address these in the advanced practicum?
