Social Work Practicum Opportunities

Atlas Youth Outreach is a Social Work Practicum site for the following schools:

• Washington University

• University of Missouri- St. Louis

• Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville

• Saint Louis University

If you are interested in completing your practicum with us, please email your resume and cover letter to info@atlasyouthoutreach.org

Reflections from Our Practicum Students

“You get the full circle of diverse clinical environment by group therapeutic sessions, crisis intervention, and school-based mental health programs. Supervision is very professional in the sense that Annie and Jeff are always doing check ins and feedback but its such a warm and welcoming environment that pretty quickly you will just feel like part of the team! Even for being a small organization in the sense of members, you still get to experience multidisciplinary collab since Jeff is a counselor and Annie is a social worker. Jeff and Annie have created such a fun inclusive space for the atlas kids that as a practicum student you have full access to seeing the resources they’ve created and encourage you to help with future tools to help the kids thrive! As long as you have an interest in teens as your population of support, you will literally experience every part of the social work field.” ~ Becky Beishir (Summer 2024)

“I loved my time at Atlas and learned so much. Getting to spend so much time with all the kiddos and learning and adapting to so many different personalities has definitely prepared me to step into the world of social work. Plus, Annie and Jeff were amazing!” ~ Mitchell Bushnell-Chamness (Fall 2023-Spring 2024)

“The supervision at Atlas is unmatched. I appreciated the feedback and hands-on aspect of the nonprofit. I found that (relative to other peers) Atlas offered me more opportunity than other practicum placements for those in my cohort. I would say be prepared for weirdness in the best way possible!” ~ Social Work Practicum Student

“I feel like in school you’re taught to be more rigid than what actually occurs in real life. Being at Atlas with Annie and Jeff helped me see that real life can be fun, flexible, and engaging. The skills and techniques I learned from Annie and Jeff were invaluable to my learning. There have been many times during my career that I have looked back at my experience at Atlas to guide me.” ~ Social Work Practicum Student

“If you love to laugh and learn this is the place for you. Even if therapy isn’t the route you think you’re wanting to take, there are so many other unique and amazing experiences you get at Atlas. Being able to witness the function of a small but fast growing nonprofit is a great opportunity. Throughout my time there I was able to also network, develop summer programs, and assist with the development and function of multiple events!” ~ Social Work Practicum Student

“I believe I got a well rounded experience for someone who was primarily micro focused. The therapy sessions were informative and eye opening but watching first hand the how a non-profit works was an experience I did not expect to appreciate as much as I do. I think Atlas is a good experience for those interested in therapy/counseling/mental health and/or administrative and non-profit work. You get to see both sides which gave me an appreciation for the work Atlas does. Micro work can’t work without the people behind the scenes making things possible. From fundraising to creating activities, it all goes together well and students should take advantage of getting to observe and be part of something like that.” ~ Social Work Practicum Student

“I would tell a new student that Atlas is a wonderful practicum site that will teach you a lot about clinical social work, and on the plus side, Annie and Jeff are two of the best human beings you'll ever meet.” ~ Social Work Practicum Student

“It’s a great practicum for those who are really passionate about the work and love learning. You will be provided with so many opportunities and will have the support to grow as an individual and professional.

~ Social Work Practicum Student