Getting “Tillerized”: Traits and Outcomes of Students in a Rural Community Field Placement

Abstract

This qualitative study sought to reveal the traits and outcomes of students who completed a rural community organizing field placement. All stakeholders involved in the placement of students took part in a focus group and follow-up individual interviews. Findings suggest that students need to be open, flexible, self-directed, and maverick in personality. In turn, the former students felt that they had been prepared for generalist social work practice, developed their social work knowledge and their use of self, and had become more client centered and better team players as a result of their field placements in a macro rural setting. Barriers for placing students in rural macro settings are included.