Social Worker Internships
Social worker internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on case management and community outreach experience, mentorship from working social workers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Roles appear across Healthcare & Medical Services, with Brevard Health Alliance, East Bay Agency for Children, and Springfield Local School District among the employers posting roles now.
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East Bay Agency for Children’s (EBAC) mission is to improve the well-being of children, youth, and families by reducing the impact of trauma and social inequities. EBAC strives to reduce barriers that contribute to disparities in wellness for socio-economically disadvantaged and racially marginalized families and to create communities where all children and families have support systems to reach their full potential.
EBAC was established in 1952 when a group of parents of children with autism wanted to give their children the same educational and recreational opportunities that contribute to the physical well-being and social growth of all children. From this was born the first day-treatment program west of the Mississippi and was the foundation of growth in meeting the needs of children and families living in the San Francisco Bay Area, and especially in Alameda County.
Today, EBAC’s programs serve over 10,000 children, youth and families throughout Alameda County each year with the goal of giving each child and family the specific resources, skills, and support they need to help them reach their full potential. The organization has strategically grown its program offerings to include a wide variety of supports and services to the community.
POSITION OVERVIEW
EBAC’s Grief and Loss Social Work Intern is responsible for facilitating grief and loss support groups for caregivers and children who have lost a loved one. In addition, the Grief and Loss Social Work Intern provides the following services as needed to address the family needs: clinical assessment, grief specific assessment, clinical case management, and grief education workshops for community partners.
Position Reports To: Practicum Supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS and COMPETENCY FACTORS
- Entering 1st Year of Masters of Social Work program in next academic year
- Experience working with youth and or caregivers preferred
- Bilingual/bicultural preferred
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Sensitivity to the needs of the community with genuine desire to work with people in a compassionate and empathetic manner
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
- Awareness of own grief experiences and ability to self-reflect
- Cultural awareness and the ability to self-reflect
- Ability to learn and utilize technology such as G suite and the agency’s electronic health record
Responsibilities
- Facilitate weekly Grief Support groups for children and caregivers who have lost a loved one (Training provided in the Circle of Care model)
- Provide support to caregivers participating in grief groups regarding grief triggers and strategies to support the grieving process
- Provide case management to families participating in grief support groups
- Provide grief education groups
- Provide Crisis Intervention as needed
- Record progress notes, grief assessments, protective factors surveys, family goal plans and other charting requirements in the agency Electronic Health Record System by required deadlines (training will be provided)
- Attend all training and appropriate practicum meetings
- Collaborate with team and partnering agencies/schools to strengthen the network of support for participants
- Performs other duties as assigned
WORKING CONDITIONS and JOB SETTING
- 16 hours required for 1st year students
- Ability to be present for Sept-May programming hours: Wednesday 9-5, Thursday 12:30-8:35 and attend required training in August on Wednesday and Thursday 9-5
- Work is hybrid, some services and meetings occur at a site and others are virtual
- Work requires travel amongst sites in Alameda county for service delivery and meetings
- Ability to drive, with appropriate driver’s license and insurance; or access to a car
- Periodic lifting up to 25 pounds is required
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
East Bay Agency for Children’s (EBAC) mission is to improve the well-being of children, youth, and families by reducing the impact of trauma and social inequities. EBAC strives to reduce barriers that contribute to disparities in wellness for socio-economically disadvantaged and racially marginalized families and to create communities where all children and families have support systems to reach their full potential.
EBAC was established in 1952 when a group of parents of children with autism wanted to give their children the same educational and recreational opportunities that contribute to the physical well-being and social growth of all children. From this was born the first day-treatment program west of the Mississippi and was the foundation of growth in meeting the needs of children and families living in the San Francisco Bay Area, and especially in Alameda County.
Today, EBAC’s programs serve over 10,000 children, youth and families throughout Alameda County each year with the goal of giving each child and family the specific resources, skills, and support they need to help them reach their full potential. The organization has strategically grown its program offerings to include a wide variety of supports and services to the community.
POSITION OVERVIEW
EBAC’s Grief and Loss Social Work Intern is responsible for facilitating grief and loss support groups for caregivers and children who have lost a loved one. In addition, the Grief and Loss Social Work Intern provides the following services as needed to address the family needs: clinical assessment, grief specific assessment, clinical case management, and grief education workshops for community partners.
Position Reports To: Practicum Supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS and COMPETENCY FACTORS
- Entering 1st Year of Masters of Social Work program in next academic year
- Experience working with youth and or caregivers preferred
- Bilingual/bicultural preferred
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Sensitivity to the needs of the community with genuine desire to work with people in a compassionate and empathetic manner
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
- Awareness of own grief experiences and ability to self-reflect
- Cultural awareness and the ability to self-reflect
- Ability to learn and utilize technology such as G suite and the agency’s electronic health record
Responsibilities
- Facilitate weekly Grief Support groups for children and caregivers who have lost a loved one (Training provided in the Circle of Care model)
- Provide support to caregivers participating in grief groups regarding grief triggers and strategies to support the grieving process
- Provide case management to families participating in grief support groups
- Provide grief education groups
- Provide Crisis Intervention as needed
- Record progress notes, grief assessments, protective factors surveys, family goal plans and other charting requirements in the agency Electronic Health Record System by required deadlines (training will be provided)
- Attend all training and appropriate practicum meetings
- Collaborate with team and partnering agencies/schools to strengthen the network of support for participants
- Performs other duties as assigned
WORKING CONDITIONS and JOB SETTING
- 16 hours required for 1st year students
- Ability to be present for Sept-May programming hours: Wednesday 9-5, Thursday 12:30-8:35 and attend required training in August on Wednesday and Thursday 9-5
- Work is hybrid, some services and meetings occur at a site and others are virtual
- Work requires travel amongst sites in Alameda county for service delivery and meetings
- Ability to drive, with appropriate driver’s license and insurance; or access to a car
- Periodic lifting up to 25 pounds is required
Social Worker Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
Tips for Your Social Worker Internship Search
Apply for summer roles in the fall
Large healthcare systems, government agencies, and established nonprofits recruit summer social work interns the preceding fall, often closing applications before the calendar year ends. Smaller organizations and co-op programs post much closer to start dates, so searching year-round keeps you ahead of each wave as it opens.
Build documented field evidence before you apply
Hiring teams at this level want proof of practice, not just a list of courses. A written case study, a community needs assessment, a policy brief, or a practicum summary with outcomes gives reviewers something concrete to evaluate. Attach the document or link to it directly in your application materials.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured field placements tied to your accredited program, and faculty supervisors often know which agencies recruit from your school before roles appear publicly. Pair that intelligence with direct applications to smaller organizations running their own cohorts, since those employers rarely post on every channel.
Practice your social work interview format out loud
Social worker intern screens typically involve scenario-based or values questions, such as how you would handle a difficult client interaction or an ethical dilemma. Practice answering these out loud, walking through your reasoning step by step, because interviewers weigh how you think through competing priorities as much as the answer you land on.
Target structured field placement programs early
Larger agencies, healthcare networks, and government departments run formal social work internship cohorts designed to train people new to direct practice. These programs offer structured supervision, rotating assignments, and clearer conversion pathways. They recruit early and fill fast, so identify the programs that match your track and apply in the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 0% of the social worker internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting, then filter by location and work type so you are only reviewing placements you can actually accept. Applying to roles you cannot take wastes time on both sides.
Social Worker Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a social worker internship?
Lead with coursework and documented fieldwork rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A strong application centers on a case study, practicum summary, or community project writeup that gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where social work program coordinators and agency recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a social worker internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for social worker interns is consistent performance on real client cases, positive feedback from supervising practitioners, and open headcount when your internship ends. Position for a return offer by treating every assignment as a work sample, but keep applying externally so you are not counting on one outcome.
When should I apply for social worker internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large agencies and healthcare systems recruit summer interns the preceding fall, sometimes with deadlines in October or November. Smaller nonprofits, community organizations, and co-op programs post much closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check listings regularly rather than waiting for a single season.
Are social worker internships paid?
Most professional social worker internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by employer size, industry, and location. Government agencies and large healthcare systems tend to pay more consistently, while some smaller nonprofits offer stipends or academic credit in place of hourly wages. Listings show compensation where the employer discloses it, so you can filter accordingly.
What should a social worker internship resume include?
Lead with projects and practicum experience rather than unrelated work history. Include two or three documented placements or class projects, naming the population served, the intervention approach, and the outcome where measurable. Attach or link a case study, reflection paper, or community assessment if you have one. Add relevant coursework such as human behavior, policy, and research methods, and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote social worker internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 100% of the social worker internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts in areas like care coordination, policy research, and telehealth outreach tend to fill fast. Apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a macro social work internship?
A macro social work internship focuses on systems-level change rather than direct client services. Interns work on policy analysis, community organizing, program development, or advocacy at nonprofits, government agencies, or research organizations. These placements target students interested in administration or policy tracks, recruit through BSW and MSW programs early in the academic year, and are competitive because fewer seats exist compared to direct-practice placements.
Can international students get social worker internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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