Career questions tagged practicum
Rejected of two rounds of applications and interviews for Counseling Practicum?
I am a master's student in Art therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy. Our program requires more than 750 hours and requires at least 500 of those hours to use art therapy with clients; the rest can be talk therapy. So, there are limited practicum sites that I can apply for. There are limited sites in my area. I am NOW at the point where I am applying to sites that are over a 75 minute driving commute (one way) time. I have gotten rejected twice after interviewing from 2 sites. My first round of applying, I applied to four sites and had two interviews. This round I have applied to 6 sites, and have had two interviews, with one more scheduled. Many sites, filled their positions within a week, that I was not fast enough to even apply for. I am doing all of this work on top of my regular graduate work, work, while having disabilities. I am feeling emotionally defeated and drained. If I can not get a practicum site, then I will not be able to graduate and become licensed. I am furious at the situation. I understand that COVID-19 caused many sites to close for supervision, and now the competition to find a site is very high. How are my less experienced classmates getting hired while I am not? But I am not the only one in this boat, one of my peers it took her three rounds of applying before she got a site, she felt it was partially due to age discrimination. I am wondering where I am going wrong? I am working closely with the practicum director and a career counselor. I did not have this problem when applying for regular jobs, and even the job I am currently at wants to promote me. So what am I doing wrong? I am also working closely with a career coach and the practicum director. I have a website and a digital portfolio, which I have specially for practicum.
Is where you choose to do your practicum extremely important, or is taking the first available spot equally beneficial?
I am earning my Bachelors of Science in Education and will soon need to begin my practicum. I have been given the TEACH grant which needs to be repaid through employment at a Title I school. Would it benefit me to attempt to secure a practicum spot at the place I hope to teach once my certifications are complete or would experience elsewhere be more beneficial? I appreciate your insight. Regards, Sandra #teaching #teacher #education #internships #educator #grants #practicum