SUPERVISION: How to Make the Most of It
Supervision is a learning experience. You need to take responsibility for your own learning because no one else will. Here are some suggestions that might be useful:
1.
You are expected to work twelve hours a week at the
practicum site over the semester. If you are going to be late or absent, be
sure to call. Treat supervision like a job, as the agency is counting on you.
Sometimes practica lead to jobs, so do your best.
Behave as a professional who represents
2. Since you will be seeing your faculty supervisor at group supervision for two hours every other week, use your time well. This is a unique opportunity to get any support or help you might need both from the faculty member and fellow students. Remember, group supervision is a mandatory part of the course. The level of your attendance and participation are considered in determining your final grade.
3. Don’t be discouraged by your agency supervisor’s busy schedule. He or she will benefit from helping you. Arrange a regular supervision time so that problems can be prevented. You increase your chances of getting a good evaluation if you ask for feedback regularly. Remember, this person’s evaluation plays a major role in determining your final grade.
4. Plan your supervision time so that you know what you wish to discuss. Your supervisor is more likely to want to give you help if you know what you want. Do you need information? Suggestions? Feedback? Support? Be specific. Write down your questions in advance. Writing forces you to be specific and helps you to be prepared. Writing also gives you practice. When doing paperwork for the agency, take your time to write clearly and correctly. Use the Learning Lab if you need help.
5. Equate your practicum to a course in which you need to know the criteria for grading. You should know exactly what is expected of you. If you believe you need more learning experiences, ask for them.
6. Swallow your pride. If you don’t understand something or have forgotten, ask. You will be respected for asking questions. Being able to ask good, specific questions demonstrates skill, interest and a professional attitude. Asking good questions shows you care enough to do your job well.
7. Use all your learning from past courses. For example, how can you practice your helping skills? In Group Dynamics you learned to be aware of the norms in your agency. If you wish to make suggestions, wait until you are considered a member of this group and have developed some trust among your peers.
8. Since you are responsible for your own learning, investigate all your learning possibilities. Be assertive and ask to take part in any task that will increase your learning. Don’t wait for your supervisor to find new ways to improve your skills.