Field placement prepares OHIO Chillicothe student for social work career

Ethan Clark’s desire to serve others and help connect people with resources led him to pursue a degree in social work at Ohio University Chillicothe. Now, as he completes his senior practicum, Clark is transforming his passion for helping others into a profession.

For students pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work at OHIO Chillicothe, field placements, also known as practicums, are more than academic requirements. They are immersive learning experiences that allow students to make meaningful contributions to their communities while preparing for in-demand careers.

Learning and serving in the community 

A graduate of Zane Trace High School, Clark is completing his practicum at Holistic Behavioral Health in Chillicothe. He began working there in May and officially started his practicum in August.

Over the summer, he supported summer camp programming. Now, he works with youth ages 5-18 in an after-school program under the supervision of Licensed Social Worker Shannon McMannis. Clark provides academic support, assists with enrichment activities such as candle-making, hiking, and games, and supports students as they process their emotions and develop self-regulation skills.

Clark said the practicum has taught him valuable lessons, especially the importance of building rapport.

“I've learned so many new things to be a better social worker,” Clark said. “My experience has taught me the importance of building strong relationships and rapport with clients before offering advice.”

Balancing life and learning

Clark balances a full-time course load, a job as a barista at Paper City Coffee, and a full personal life. Though managing all those obligations can be stressful, he said he’s grateful for the “privilege of abundance.”

“I'm privileged to be able to come to school and pay for it and not be in debt,” Clark said. “I'm privileged to have all these friends. I'm privileged to be in my relationship, and I'm privileged to work and get paid for my practicum. I'm very thankful for that.”

Clark has had to overcome his own challenges as a student with dyslexia.

“I took a year and a half off after I graduated high school, because I did not know what I wanted to do at all,” Clark said. “I was convinced I was not going to go to college.”

As a high school student, his determination led him to take College Credit Plus courses, partly to prove himself to teachers who told him he couldn’t handle college-level work.

Choosing Chillicothe

Clark chose OHIO Chillicothe for its affordability and proximity to home. Building relationships on campus and in the community made him feel connected and supported.

“I really do love Chillicothe,” Clark said. “Once I got to know downtown and Paper City Coffee and the people that work here (at OHIO Chillicothe), I felt more connected. It felt like family.”

At their practicum sites, students apply concepts and lessons they are learning in the classroom in real-world situations. They then bring lessons learned in the field back into their classrooms to inform discussions as they expand their understanding of social work practices.

Before college, Clark sometimes felt marginalized as a student with a dyslexia diagnosis. He said his desire to prove himself and exceed expectations led him to resist taking advantage of accommodations for much of his college career.

“I haven't had accommodations in two and a half years now,” Clark said. “That's been something that has been a struggle, but I've gotten pretty good at navigating that, and I'm proud of myself.”

He acknowledges this choice may have made his journey more difficult and encourages other students with disabilities to use their accommodations.

Clark’s experience navigating school with a disability helped him serve the students in the after-school program with empathy and understanding.

“I'm always thinking about the past whenever I'm helping my clients read,” Clark said, recalling the challenges and frustrations he faced as a young child learning to read before being diagnosed with dyslexia. He now recognizes signs of dyslexia in the children he serves and advocates for testing in their schools.

Preparing for the future

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Social Work degree must complete 420 field hours over two semesters during their senior year. Assistant Professor Nikki Priest said these professional experiences benefit both the students and the community agencies where they serve.

“They get hands-on experience observing and practicing their social work skills while community agencies have the opportunity to train and educate social workers they may eventually hire at their agency or work within their community,” Priest said.

Clark said he knew he had chosen the right major when he had his first social work class at OHIO Chillicothe with instructor Rosemary Frech. Social work faculty Stacey Saunders-Adams and Nikki Priest have also served as role models for Clark, inspiring him to continue his education.

He plans to graduate this spring, marry in October, and take a year off before pursuing a master’s degree in social work.