I’m happy to share that I was featured on the Revolutionary Social Work Podcast hosted by Christian “Ace” Stettler — a space dedicated to challenging how social work is taught, practiced, and imagined.
In this dynamic conversation on macro social work, social work education, and what it takes to create truly meaningful internship and practicum experiences, I had the opportunity to talk about some of the most pressing and often overlooked issues in our profession:
- Why we must stop treating clinical work as the default and start elevating macro pathways.
- How current internship and practicum structures can overlook student agency, compensation, and community impact.
- Why students and supervisors both benefit when internship design is intentional, reciprocal, and rooted in justice.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube: INTERVIEW
Or listen wherever you get podcasts — search Revolutionary Social Work and tune into Episode 77 with Christian Ace Stettler.
What We Covered — Key Moments
In this conversation, we explored:
Redefining Social Work Practice
We talked about the importance of embracing macro-level work — from policy to community-building — as essential social work contributions, not secondary options.
Internships & Practicum: Not Just Requirements, But Opportunities
Too often, students enter placements without clarity on expectations, reciprocity, or how this work prepares them for diverse careers. We highlighted how intentional planning, robust supervision, and student empowerment can reshape these experiences.
Real Stakes for the Profession
From combating the “vow of poverty” narrative to advocating for paid, equitable field placements, our conversation centered on what it takes to value social workers at every level.
Internship & Practicum Expertise — What I Bring to the Table
If you’re a social work academic program, field education coordinator, nonprofit leader, or supervisor seeking to improve your internship/practicum offerings — this is where my expertise helps:
Field Education Design & Consulting
- I work with programs and organizations to reimagine internships and practicums so they:
- Honor student learning goals and competencies
- Integrate anti-oppressive, culturally responsive pedagogy
- Provide clear supervision structures and reflection spaces
- Are mutually beneficial for students and community partners
Supervision and Leadership Development
- Strong practicum experiences require supervisors who are prepared, confident, and reflective. I offer:
- Supervisor training workshops
- Reflective supervision frameworks
- Support with syllabus alignment and evaluation tools
Organizational Consulting for Equity & Inclusion
- Internships shouldn’t replicate inequitable systems — they should model liberatory practices that:
- Support compensation and resources for students
- Embed justice-centered values into daily practice
- Build bridges between classroom knowledge and real-world application
Why This Matters
Social work is at a crossroads. As the profession evolves, we have a choice:
- Continue with status quo education and placements — or
- Build learning experiences that cultivate confident, critically conscious, justice-oriented social workers.
I’m committed to the latter — and I’m excited to continue this work with programs, organizations, and students who think differently about what social work can be.
Let’s chat if you want to explore about consulting, training, or partnering to strengthen internship/practicum experiences that truly prepare the next generation of social workers.
RELATED: Social Work Resources
Nicki Sanders, MSW is the Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting and the creator of the S.O.F.T. Leadership™ framework – a liberation-centered approach to people-first, aligned leadership. With over 20 years of professional experience including nonprofit leadership, organizational development, and higher education, she works passionately with high-performing Women of Color leaders and values-driven organizations to build cultures rooted in wholeness, purpose, and lasting impact. Nicki is a nationally recognized thought leader, professor, coach, and facilitator proving that sustainable success does not require self-sacrifice.
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