Where do I even begin?!
That was a question I asked when it came time to select my fieldwork rotations. To preface this post, every program is different (even between disciplines) as to how fieldwork selections are made. Below is my own experience with some tips and tricks, but definitely make sure that you are communicating with and following the guidelines of your programs Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC).
As I mentioned in a previous post, we go on three 3-week long Level 1 rotations. My first one was in mental health, and that one I was assigned to. For my pediatric and physical dysfunction rotations, I helped do the leg work to set up contracts with these sites. For pedi, I had a connection to a school for children that are on the spectrum, and me & two other classmates were able to go there. For phys dys, I kid you not when I say I emailed about 50 different sites across the country to be able to find a rotation in neurorehabilitation (like I said, putting in the leg work). Thankfully, one of these sites said yes (well first they said no haha) but then they came back and surprised me with a YES! And it was such a rewarding experience (more on that later).
**Note: My class was a “trial” class, where we were allowed to reach out to sites to see if they were willing to take on a Level 1 student. From there, we connected them with our AFWC to set up a contract. This is typically not a normal thing that happens so pleaseeeeeee don’t reach out to sites unless your AFWC has explicitly given you the ok. If you weren’t particular about where you got placed, there are a list of sites that our university has pre-established contracts with that you can go to.
One thing I appreciate about my program is that you can opt to go to a fieldwork site based on the experience you would like to receive or based on a particular location. This came into play when it came time to select our Level 2 Rotations.
Even though we didn’t select our Level 2 sites until our second year, I would encourage you to communicate with your AFWC about your interests or facilities you want to be at as early as possible. Especially if they are a high-profile facility or a specialized area of practice (neurorehab, NICU, IP/OP Pediatrics, the VA); most of those places start filling up spots a YEAR before you even start clinicals(sometimes even before that). Communicating with your AFWC keeps you on their radar, and who knows! Maybe a new contract will become available and you will be the perfect fit!
For both of our Level 2 rotations, we submitted a list of preferences to our professor based off of contracts that we had with sites in our system (I believe we submitted 7 or 9 sites). We rank these sites in order that we would want to go to them with the first name being our #1 site choice, and descending options from there!
My tips when thinking about fieldwork:
Research different sites, their mission, and services they offer – start drafting a list.
If you are able to go out of the area you live, go! It’s SO great to immerse yourself in a different culture and community outside of what your are familiar with.
Keep in communication with your AFWC (but don’t be annoying about it – they have a lot on their plate)
Fieldwork may seem like it’s very daunting and terrifying all at once but honestly – don’t stress over it too much! At the end of the day, you will make such a huge impact on the clinical site that you have – you’ve got this!
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