Marketing Yourself for Walden Field Experience in Counseling

Gaining field experience is an important step for future counselors. If you are a Walden University student pursuing an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, an MS in School Counseling, or a dual degree program—an MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling—field experience is part of your academic journey. This guide will help you navigate the process and stand out from other applicants.

What Is the Purpose of Field Experience?

Field experience is an important part of your counseling degree program. When you participate in field experience, you:

• Demonstrate the skills you’ve learned through your academic curriculum.
• Prepare for licensure.
• Gain one-on-one experience with real clients.
• Network with counseling colleagues. 

Field experience is a requirement to earn your master’s degree in counseling. But just as importantly, it’s essential for your professional development because it ensures that you are well-prepared for your future career in counseling.

Field Experience Requirements

To find the right field experience site, you need to be intentional in your search. Start by understanding your program requirements. Each counseling degree program at Walden has specific requirements that must be met, so familiarize yourself with the Field Experience Manual available in your Student Portal. Identify sites and supervisors that align with your goals, such as working with specific client populations or gaining experience in a particular counseling theory.

Finding Potential Field Experiences

Once you understand the requirements for your counseling degree program’s field experience, make a list of potential field experience sites. You can start by searching online for local mental health facilities. LinkedIn groups, professional associations, and Walden alumni can also offer suggestions for potential field experience sites.

Expanding Your Search

Don’t limit yourself to a few sites. Try these tactics to find potential field experience sites:

• Network with other mental health professionals and counselors.
• Research sites online and through directories.
• Volunteer to gain insights into a potential field experience site.
• Join professional associations and LinkedIn groups.
• Reach out to Walden’s counseling field experience office for assistance.

How to Market Yourself 

Now that you’ve identified potential field experiences, you need to apply. In order to stand out from other students, you’ll want to understand your professional brand. Think about the unique skills you have, your greatest strengths, and the ways you can add value to your field experience site. Reflect on your academic achievements, volunteer and work experience, and community involvement. All of these elements make up your professional brand. Tailor your application materials to highlight your brand and show how you can add value to the field experience site.

Developing Your Career Portfolio

A career portfolio goes beyond a mere résumé and sets you apart from other applicants. Here’s what your career portfolio should include:

• Cover Letter: This should be concise, professional, and formatted like a standard business letter. Include your contact information, a brief introduction, and a clear statement of your interest in the specific site. Emphasize your academic achievements, relevant coursework, and how your background aligns with the site’s needs. Use specific examples to demonstrate your professional brand.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): A CV is a biographical description of your educational and professional background. It can be longer than a résumé, up to eight pages, and it should focus on your academic achievements and professional development activities. Include sections such as education, work experience, publications, presentations, and professional affiliations. Tailor your CV to the specific field experience you are applying for, placing the most relevant information at the beginning.
• Degree Program Information: Share information about your Walden University counseling degree program. Highlight that the program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and that Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. 
• Relevant Coursework: If you’ve completed relevant courses or work related to the field experience site or the population they serve, include it in your portfolio. For instance, you can include a copy of relevant course descriptions or papers you’ve written.
• Letters of Recommendation: A letter from a faculty member can make all of the difference in securing the field experience you want.
• A Copy of the Field Experience Manual: Provide a copy of the manual so that your potential supervisor is aware of Walden’s requirements for the field experience.

Making Initial Contact

When reaching out to potential site supervisors, be friendly and professional. Introduce yourself clearly and concisely and mention how you heard about the opportunity. For example:

“Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I am a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in mental health counseling at Walden University. I received your name from [Referral Source]. I understand that you’re engaged in counseling clients with [specific population or issue]. I am wondering if we could meet for 20 to 30 minutes to discuss your insights into your specialty and the possibility of my completing a field experience at your site.”

Preparing for the Meeting

When you meet with a potential field experience supervisor, whether in person or online, dress professionally and provide them with a copy of your career portfolio. Be prepared to share stories that demonstrate your skills and experiences. A great way to tell a story is to use the CART framework:

C: Talk about a challenge you faced.
A: What was the action you took to address the challenge?
R: What was the result? Who or what was impacted?
T: Tie the story into your future field experience role.

Here is an example:

“In 2007, I volunteered at Lawrence House, a facility for adults with mental illness and chemical dependence. During my time there, I recruited 10 patients to plant a permanent vegetable garden at the facility. My initiative helped promote physical activity, healthy eating, and sustainability, thereby improving both the physical and mental well-being of patients. As an intern at your facility, I hope to practice counseling techniques under supervision and further help adults who are experiencing mental illness take initiative in their daily lives.”

Following Up

After the meeting, send a thank-you letter or email to express your interest and reiterate how you can add value to the site. Mention specific points from the meeting to show that you were attentive and engaged. 

Final Tips

These final tips and reminders can help you find the right field experience.

• Start your search early—ideally, a year in advance.
• Be open to new settings and client populations.
• Know your professional brand.
• Stand out with a career portfolio.
• Practice your interview using the CART framework.
• Emphasize your degree program’s rigorous curriculum and CACREP accreditation.
• Highlight Walden’s social change mission and diverse global perspective.
• Remember that Walden’s counseling field experience office is here to help!

By following these steps, you can effectively market yourself and increase your chances of securing the right counseling field experience opportunity. A successful field experience will bring you one step closer to graduation and a career in counseling.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in School Counseling, and MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling degree programs online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements. For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/stateboardmap, the American Association of State Counseling Boards at www.aascb.org, and contact the appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body. Learn more about professional licensure.

MS in School Counseling: The MS in School Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which may also be a requirement to become licensed or certified as a school counselor in some states. In addition, some states require school counselors to have an existing teaching license or certification, and teaching experience, in order to be eligible for a school counseling certification/license. Learn more about professional licensure.

Further, many states require school counseling programs to be approved in at least one state, either their own or another state. The MS in School Counseling program is approved by the states of Minnesota and Ohio, and while this approval is accepted by the majority of states which require state approval, it may not be accepted by all states.