CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION TO FIELDWORK WITHIN HUMAN
SERVICES
NOTE FROM AUTHORS
We approach our fieldwork courses much as we would professionally approach
conducting a group. We pay particular attention to the development of cohesion, trust
and bonding, and therefore believe it is essential to set a strong foundation for this at
the onset of the course. We have found that classes often progress in stages much as
a group does. As such, we remain alert to this developmental process, yet always
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE CHAPTER
Our intent in this beginning chapter was to provide the reader with an introduction
to “Fieldwork” as it is an essential component of professional development. In specific,
we attempt to provide the reader with historical background of human services and an
overview of the various career paths within this field. The importance of values and self
awareness are highlighted and the notion that learning is a life long process is
KEY CONCEPTS AND TERMS
Human Services Defined
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Human Service Workers
Professional Roles
Characteristics of Competent Human Service Practitioners
The Importance of Values: Values Defined, The Role of Values, Value “Conflicts”
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
After completion of this first introductory Chapter it is anticipated that the reader
will have met the following goals and objectives:
▪ Understand the importance of Fieldwork as an integral part of professional
development.
▪ Possess knowledge regarding the definition of Human Services and the vast
diversity among human service professionals.
▪ Understand and acknowledge the importance of values in working with others at
all levels of human service practice.
▪ Possess knowledge regarding typical “value conflicts” and be able to identify
those value conflicts they personally have experienced or are most apt to
encounter in their work.
▪ Understand how self-awareness and self-acceptance are connected.
▪ Recognize the impact of early development on the individual helper.
▪ Understand the role of thoughts, feelings, and actions in the pursuit of
self-awareness. Be able to differentiate the difference between thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors.
1. Use of Self Introduction whereby you, the instructor, reviews your own professional
experiences as a way to denote the various roles human service professionals can
perform. It is essential in this introduction to present a balanced view of human
2. Use of “Introduction” Self Assessment form found in Chapter 1 of the text.
3. Drawings One’s Strength’s and Limitations as described in Chapter 1 of the text.
Encourage students to divide into pairs and to interview one another regarding their
4. Use of 3 x 5 index cards to gain a sense of how students in your class view human
services and their prior experiences. Hand several cards to each student asking
them to answer two questions:
(1) Define Human Services?
CONCLUDING EXERCISES AND ROLE PLAYS
Role Plays are utilized as behavioral rehearsals that can help students integrate
knowledge with skill and also allow them to become more self-aware and open to
1. We have sometimes utilized an actual fieldwork experience, identified problem with
a fieldwork cite or a student’s particular need, as a beginning role play scenario. If a
2. Role play regarding initial contact with supervisor over Learning Contract/specific
role, tasks, and activities/hours. In this role play we encourage assertion and
3. Role play a conflictual relationship with supervisor, co-worker, client, etc.
4. Role play a scenario involving a value conflict with client, co-worker, agency, or
profession.
IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION AND FURTHER THOUGHT
Use of the following questions or ideas may be helpful to use with students to
promote further thought and discussion.
1. What have been your experiences with Human Service professionals and/or
agencies? Describe in some detail the aspects of these situations that made them
either positive or negative experiences. What do you believe you would have done
differently if you were the helper in this situation?
2. Select a human service professional from either your agency placement or school
setting to interview. The purpose of the interview will be on learning more about the
specific values this professional believes are important in their professional and
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. According to Neukrug (1994) the human services field was born out of:
a. A need to provide services to children.
b. A desire to help immigrants.
2. The authors, Alle-Corliss and Alle-Corliss tend to favor what type of view regarding
the perspective of human services?:
a. An intermediate approach in which human services are organized activities that help
people in various areas
3. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a hierarchy that follows which of the following order,
from bottom to top?:
a. Safety needs, physiological needs, social needs, need for self-actualization, and self
esteem needs.
4. As noted in the text, roles human services workers play are dependent on which
three factors?:
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
5. Of the following, which is not a characteristic of a competent human service
professional?
a. Empathy
b. Genuiness
6. Values can be defined in many ways. Which of the following best describes values
c. Values are what ‘ought to be’ not ‘what is.’.
d. Values are easy to detect if we are willing to look at ourselves
e. Values are seen in our everyday behaviors.
SHORT ANSWERS
7. List three value conflicts discussed in the text and give an example of each.
8. Explain the difference between exposing your values versus imposing them.
ESSAY QUESTION
10. Explain why self-awareness is important for anyone embarking in a career in the
human services. What impact does early development have on the individual
helper? How does self acceptance and the role of thoughts, feelings, and actions
relate to this concept of self awareness? Why should someone understand their
motivations for pursing a position as a helper? Provide a personal example.
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS:
Movies/Videos
Those which present the role of human service professionals in either a positive or
negative light:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ordinary People, Good Will Hunting, Antoine
Fisher, Anger Management
Self Awareness Assignments:
1. Multiple Choice Questions – The best response is to be selected and recorded on
2. Short Answers – These are intended to be a succinct response to the question. A
3. Essay Questions – These are more in-depth questions which are designed to test
analytic skills and comprehension. Responses should be written in a concise, yet
1. According to Neukrug (1994) the human services field was born out of:
2. The authors, Alle-Corliss and Alle-Corliss tend to favor what type of view regarding
the perspective of human services:
3. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a hierarchy that follows which of the following order,
from bottom to top:
4. As noted in the text, roles human services workers play are dependent on which
three factors:
5. Of the following which is not a characteristic of a competent human service
professional?
6. Values can be defined in many ways. Which of the following best describes values
as proposed by Morales and Sheafor and described in the text.
1. List 3 values conflicts discussed in the text and give an example of each.
2. Explain the difference between exposing your values versus imposing them.
3. Tell why understanding your family of origin can be beneficial in your work with
clients.
1. Explain why self-awareness is important for anyone embarking in a career in the
human services. What impact does early development have on the individual helper?