Reconnect with Your Why: Embracing Your First Field Placement 💜

“Like a lotus flower, we too have the ability to rise from the mud, bloom out of the darkness, and radiate into the world.”

Your why is the seed at the heart of your work, nourished by the stories of loved ones, the experiences of community members, and the resilience you have witnessed or lived. Your why is the light that sustains you on days when your confidence wavers, when your steps feel heavy, or when the path ahead feels unclear.

In your placement, your why connects you to lived wisdom, to the strength of those who came before you, and to the communities you serve. On days when you feel uncertain or exhausted, return to your why—it is your medicine and your strength, your reminder of purpose, and your compass for every interaction. Each act of listening, validating, and supporting is part of a larger process of growth and change—for your clients, your community, and yourself.

Field placement is a space of learning, growth, and transformation. Bring your full heart, curiosity, and courage to this journey. Let your why steady you, let your passion guide you, and let your presence help foster care, connection, and change.

 Connecting with Your Why

• Seed of Your Journey: What experiences—personal, professional, or lived—planted the seed that brought you here? How does this shape your practice?

• Roots of Connection: Who are the people or communities whose stories and resilience fuel your commitment to helping others?

• Values in Action: Which values guide your practice? How will you live them out in your placement?

• Circle of Growth: Imagine the professional you want to become. What daily actions will help you move toward that vision?

• Facing Challenges: What obstacles or biases might you encounter in placement, and how will you practice awareness and care in responding?

Remember: Your why is your medicine and your strength. Return to it when the work feels heavy, celebrate it when you witness growth, and let it guide every step. Your heart, curiosity, and courage will shape the difference you make.