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As a student, your first practicum internships will effectively serve as your first work experience in the social work profession. This should be exciting for graduate students who are eager to hit the ground running toward their career goals, but it also can be daunting. Just like with any professional opportunity, you’ll want to take your field internship seriously, thinking carefully about what skills you’d most like to build and which causes you’d most like to see up close.

For those who feel stressed out about committing to a social work discipline so early into school, fear not: most MSW programs have field work requirements throughout two years of study, with opportunities (and sometimes requirements) to switch to a new work environment. Especially in your first year, it’s understood that you will likely need time for exploration before choosing your social work concentration.

For more on this, take a look at our guide to social work focus areas here.

That said, it’s a great idea as an applicant to start thinking about what types of field work internships appeal to you. This may raise larger questions about the career path you want in the world of social work, but for now, you have the luxury of preparing for short-term experiences. What type of social work do you feel called to do? And what responsibilities will be fulfilling and energizing for you to perform day in and day out?

Think about your field work requirements as a wonderful chance to explore your career leanings without the obligation to commit to them completely. And importantly, keep an open mind: you may find an unexpected field internship sends you in an exciting new direction.

To learn firsthand about the game-changing potential of your MSW field education, check out our profile of MSW student Alicia Miller , whose own career path was shaped greatly by her field work placement.