Goals are more than a list, and setting goals is an intentional process. But how do you move from an abstract concept to something more concrete? Consider the concept of SMART goals. SMART is an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

SMART goals guide you toward mastery of the practice behaviors within your learning agreement. As you develop your SMART goals, think of specific tasks, activities, or trainings that can demonstrate that you have “achieved” each behavior. Then, ask yourself if the goals you have articulated are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and achievable within a realistic timeframe.

In this Discussion, you build your skills developing SMART goals by focusing on key social work core competencies and aligning them with your internship tasks.

To Prepare

• Review the expected behaviors on the Learning Agreement for the two core competencies listed below:
  • Social Work Core Competency 4: Engaging practice informed research and research informed practice
  • Social Work Core Competency 5: Engaging policy practice
• View the Learning Resources on how to develop your Learning Agreement.
• Review the Learning Resources on developing SMART Goals.

By Day 7

• Develop two SMART goals (one for Social Work Core Competency 4 and one for Social Work Core Competency 5) that will help you demonstrate the expected behaviors for those competencies.
• Explain how the tasks of a social work intern align with social work core competencies and your SMART goals.