Warning Signs and Tips

Warning Signs

The areas listed below should be monitoredby faculty for signs the internship is not going well:

Student Disengagement

The student is passively involved in learning.
The student is not taking initiative, showing up late, and expecting to be coddled.
Profound disappointment is experienced by the student.

Meaningless Work

The student is not being utilized properly.
The student is underutilized, and not given any responsibility.
No effort is demanded of the student.
Academic goals do not align with the student's work.

Strained Relationships

The relationship between the student and supervisor is tenuous, lacks respect, and is non-supportive.
Within the office environment, the student is involved with open disagreements.
Collegiality is absent in the office environment.

Supervision of Poor Quality

The student has little or no contact with the supervisor.
Minimal feedback is provided to the student by the supervisor.
There is an abuse of power from the supervisor.

Self-Care Deficiencies

The student exhibits an inability to manage stress.
The student demonstrates a failure to manage work-life balance.
The student experiences mental health symptoms interfering with internship duties.

Unprofessional Conduct

The student exhibits poor boundaries with colleagues and clients.
Poor discretion is used by the student that undermines their professional status.
The student exploits their position and power.
The student is involved with dating clients or colleagues.

Unethical Practice

The professional code of conduct is not adhered to by the student.
Unethical behavior is demonstrated by the student.
The student breaks confidentiality.
The student practices outside their limits of expertise.
A lack of integrity is exhibited by the student.

Safety Concerns

The student is placed in high-risk situations with little or no oversight by the supervisor.
The agency safety plan and environmental risks are not discussed with the student.
The student is conducting home visits alone.
The student is operating independently in known highly-charged situations.

Hostile Work Environment

The student reports any type of:

Discrimination
Harassment
Sexual assault
Physical assault

If Warning Signs are Present

Faculty Should:

1. Meet with the student to hear the student's perspective and obtain details related to the placement concerns.

2. Take a supportive role and encourage the student to meet with the field supervisors to address their placement concerns. This approach teaches students how to have difficult conversations with supervisors and can often alleviate placement concerns. Also, consider using a difficult placement situation as a learning opportunity to manage complex relationships and to navigate a professional work environment.

3. Meet with the field supervisor if the student's initial attempt to address concerns was unsuccessful. It is important to obtain the supervisor's perspective on student performance and allow for any concerns to be voiced. Engaging in problem-solving at this stage is appropriate. Conduct a follow-up meeting with the student to receive feedback and make modifications, if necessary.

4. Intervene immediately if a student is at risk due to student maltreatment, abuse, or safety issues. Faculty must engage key personnel in the field placement to express concerns and initiate change. In cases of abuse, faculty should follow university reporting procedures and if needed, ensure the student has access to crisis support services. In these situations, faculty seeking consultation from colleagues or other university personnel is highly recommended.

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