How to get out of school arranged MSW internship ASAP???

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bananasinpajamas98

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I repeatedly asked to be placed with college students as I look very young and have limited life experience. The second I sit down with older clients I feel anxiety and they feel that anxiety too and become annoyed. This placement has to do with indiviudals impacted by HIV and recovery and joblessness as well. I have receieved little to no training. I asked to watch an intake twice and of course when I observe the other persons intakes they seem easy and simple but when I do mine I am like making it up as I go along.
My task supervisor has not shown me anything only the other girl who works there. (My task supervisor and coworker are also current clients of this agency so thats how they came to work there). The supervisor is overworked and dealing with a lot of stress at home. I got in trouble for something I did not do and took the blame stupidly and my task supervisor said the bigger boss was upset. The big boss never spoke to me because she probably realizes that it was the supervisor and coworkers fault for what happened as I properly logged everything and they reached out to a client before checking her profile on the data base which was updated.

I asked repeatedly how to print to ensure this never happened again and no one could give me an answer. I have to call clients and get them to take surveys (nobody struggling to find a job wants to get a phone call for a survey its just the truth) and that is all they have me do.

I am preparing myself to talk to my field advisor about switching placements. I have not spoken to the big boss as she is often remote and we get busy doing paperwork. How do I get out of this placement??? Just the thought of having to go there this week before i meet with my advisor is giving me so much stress and anxiety ive barely eaten.
Ive already decided im not going to pursue social work (however i prob shouldnt tell my school this). How do I phrase this all in a professional way to find a new placement? I feel they will insist I meet with the big boss (who will just repimand my task supervisor) and nothing will change. I DO NOT WANT TO STEP FOOT IN THIS BUILDING AGAIN.
The issue is im in my final year and worn down and so close to the finish line but I do not have anything to give. It is not fair that some people get placed at internships at my school where their supervisor is on site and trained whereas most of us get put in places they dont even talk to you theyre just working the whole day. They explain the process once and theres 0 reiteration. I ask questions and its always one word answers. Were supposed to hook clients up to all these classes and training programs but the flyers offer more classes. It feels stupid im handing people a sheet with 50 class options and say we can only sign you up for computer literacy. Clients have felonys they want customer service jobs they dont need no computer class especially when they are older and just need a job asap.

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I am preparing myself to talk to my field advisor about switching placements. I have not spoken to the big boss as she is often remote and we get busy doing paperwork. How do I get out of this placement???
The first step is to discuss with your program and determine what your options are and if/how it may impact things regarding things like graduation.

Sometimes there is a lot of flexibility and sometimes, there may not be.

If your program is on the rigid/uncaring side of things, you may need to determine when/where/how to put your foot down and what if any consequences might arise.

Things such as a leave of absence (depending on your program handbook rules/regs) could also be options.

Hoping there is a good outcome for you.
 
You're on the right track by planning to speak with your school's field adviser and seeing if there is flexibility in being able to get you into a better fit internship.

However, and again this may or may not be the case at your master's program, there are programs that will simply see this as not getting outside one's comfort zone (which is often important for working in mental health) or being able to adapt to different settings and experiences. Whether in this case this is true or just an excuse for them not giving students more relevant internship experiences is another variable.

Then there is also the practical aspect that they may or may not have other slots available and at the end of the day some will say just put in the work at this placement, get the internship hours, get the degree, and move on. Internship is often one year or less depending on the program and many may say the fight isn't worth it and just get the hours and move on.

If you do decide to pursue exploring other options, I would carefully choose how you present it. Telling them you have limited life experience and want to work only in one setting while also pointing out all the problems with the current internship site may or may not be viewed in the way you're hoping, and may cause more delays and issues in you getting your hours completed.

They may consider offering you a leave and ability to reapply for internships next cycle in college counseling centers thy have, but this would delay your graduation and may also mean more competition as then the next batch of students will be taking slots.

It's a crappy spot to be in, but have to carefully weigh your options here and decide if short term problems are worth impacting your long term goals and trajectory.
 
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