Field Fair
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Orientation: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Fair: 3-5 p.m.
Continuing Education Center, St. Paul campus
(map and parking information)
The Fall 2009-Spring 2010 field placement interviewing process with the Field Fair.
Field Fair is intended for students who plan to begin a concurrent field placement in Fall 2009. It is held at the Continuing Education and Conference Center, which is connected to Peters Hall by a walkway. Orientation is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 42 of the conference center. Field Fair is from 3 to 5 p.m. in Room 135 and adjacent rooms.
Why Students Should Attend Orientation and Field Fair
The orientation provides students with information on what to look for in an internship, how to choose the best internship for their needs and how to effectively interview for internships. The Field Fair offers the opportunity for students to meet with representatives from the local agencies offering internships, obtain contact information, and begin to arrange one-to-one interviews. We strongly urge students to attend Field Fair if they will be beginning a field placement in Fall 2009.
Important: If you are planning to do a Fall 2009 field placement and will be attending Field Fair on April 7, please bring with you your completed Field Practicum Application to give to the SSW Field faculty. You should also bring several copies of your resume to share with the agencies with whom you want to interview. (If you are planning to do a Block Placement in Summer 2010, you do not need to attend Field Fair. You will receive information about a Summer Block information meeting in early 2010.)
Interviewing Starts April 8
No interviews should take place before the official start of the interview period, April 8, 2009. The three graduate social work programs in the Twin Cities (University of Minnesota, Augsburg College, and the University of St. Thomas/St. Catherine) follow the same timelines for interviewing and selecting agencies. The three programs match students cooperatively in a joint meeting after the interviewing process is completed. Because it has proven beneficial to all three programs to have a shared timeline and process, any attempts by students to circumvent the process will result in forfeiting the opportunity to interview at the desired agency.
Do Some Homework Before Field Fair
To get the most out of Field Fair, do some homework ahead of time. Basic information about field placements for the fall-spring 2009-10 academic year will be available by March 23 on this Web site. Review the list of available placements, then go to the specific agency/placement descriptions to find out more information about placements that interest you. Begin making a preliminary list of agency placements you would like to explore at Field Fair and during the subsequent interviewing period that lasts from April 8–May 8, 2009.
Be sure to complete the Field Practicum Application make a copy for yourself, and bring it with you to Field Fair.