Field placements and internships
The professional practical work experience forms an integral part of the education in the Charitable and Social Work and the Social and Humanitarian Work courses of study It is a compulsory subject and accounts for approximately one third of the curriculum. The work experience is carefully conceived as to its structure and content; from the initial one-week study visit to residential social services facilities to the continuous two-month long internship. Students may choose from more than 200 institutes and facilities both at home and abroad.
The work experience takes place in non-governmental non-profit organisations (e.g. facilities within the Caritas network), as well as in public service and administrative institutions.
Over the course of the work experience, students gradually achieve the competence necessary for the performance of social work at a top-quality level.
Among many other benefits, the work experience contributes to the development of the students’ value system - i.e. the values held by the prospective social worker.
Tutoring provided to the students over the course of their practical work experience by CARITAS College of Social Work Olomouc is a continuous process beginning with their admission to the school and ending with the graduation exam.
Through this process, the student is directed in the right path towards good practice in social and humanitarian work.
During their study, students are advised and guided by the following figures: a tutor and a teacher of the work experience in lectures provided by the school, a mentor provided by the particular institute or facility and an internal/external supervisor.
Each of these figures has his or her unique role and specific responsibility; however their joint endeavour, in cooperation with the student, is to set appropriate goals for his/her professional and personal development, to monitor and support his/her progress, to evaluate the actual achievement of their particular goals and to interlink the studies with practice.