A Day in the Life: My MSW Field Internship
By Bianca V. (MSW’23)
As a second-year student in the MSW program at BU School of Social Work (BUSSW), I have often felt like a circus performer this semester while juggling four classes, a field placement, a part-time job, friends, and other responsibilities. While classes and my field placement certainly take the front seat, I seize every little moment I can each day to prioritize my well-being.
I have yet to find someone that truly has a “typical day,” because there are so many different paths you can take in your MSW. But if you want to get a feel for what could be possible for you, here is what most Wednesdays look like for me!
6:00am – Up and On the Move
Since my placement is at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and I live in Somerville, I am up bright and early to get ready for the day and catch the train. I always pick out my clothes and pack a lunch the night before – and I make a point to take my time and listen to music as I complete my end-of-day activities. Like I do most mornings, I search the depths of my brain for an excuse to buy a Dunkin coffee to get me through the day, but opt to make one at home instead. I am out of the door and standing on the train platform before the clock turns 7.
7:50am – Arrive at the Hospital & Prep for Work
After some quality commuting time, I arrive at the hospital. The early morning is when the doctors make their rounds, so it’s not an ideal time to see patients. Instead, I catch up with my fellow interns, sip on my coffee, answer emails, and log on to see the list of patients assigned to me for the day. Some are new clients, some are existing. I do a medical chart review, see which area of the hospital everyone is admitted, and begin prioritizing cases.
9:30am – Let the Work Begin
The time has come to begin seeing patients and communicating with care teams. While cases vary, I am fortunate enough to provide psychosocial support to patients and families- documenting and consulting with my supervisor along the way.
12:00pm – Lunch Time
Although each day brings something different, I do my best to have lunch at noon every placement day. This habit allows me to maintain some structure and holds me accountable to taking breaks throughout the hectic day. Taking care of yourself is essential to your ability to support others. In other words: eating is important! After lunch, I’m off to see more patients and families.
3:00pm – Treat and a Deep Breath
A little-known secret…the hospital puts out warm cookies at 3pm in the cafeteria. While our schedules don’t allow for a cookie break every day, my fellow intern and I take a moment to pick out the softest looking cookies, take a deep breath, and quickly debrief while savoring our special treat. Just another example of prioritizing self-care!
4:30pm – Off to My Part-Time Job
4:30 on Wednesdays marks the end of the field placement day and (for me) the end of the field placement week. I make sure my notes are complete, referrals are made, process recordings are sent to my supervisor for next weeks’ supervision, and emails are sent. Time to get on the train to head to my job at the brewery.
5:30pm – Meetings at the Brewery
At my part time job at the brewery, we have weekly meetings on Wednesdays to discuss events, try new menu items, and learn about updates from my fellow managers. I enjoy this opportunity to catch up with my friends and have conversations that are very different from those I have at my field placement. After the meeting, since I am not scheduled to work a shift, I head home to my apartment.
7:00pm – Fill Up and Unwind
Once I am home, I make dinner and watch (at least) one episode of television. Whatever the show is, it has to be silly, fun, and an escape from the hectic day. After dinner, I begin preparing for my marathon day of Thursday classes that start at 9am. I get as much reading in as I can, knowing that I will also be at Pavement Coffeehouse for an hour in the morning doing some last-minute preparation. As the exhaustion sets in, I switch my focus to what I need to do for myself in that moment to wind down, relax, and have a great night’s sleep.
10:00pm – The Best Time is Bedtime
The time has come to turn off the lights and crawl into bed. I’ll listen to music or watch a quick video to settle my mind, but by Wednesday, I don’t have much trouble falling asleep. Being an MSW student can be as draining as it is rewarding. I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my day!
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Bianca V. (MSW’23) is a full-time clinical student at BU School of Social Work’s Charles River Campus. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring her neighborhood, and trying new recipes.