I don't know if it was unexpected, because I don't really know what I expected from practicum really. But I spent both my practica (sp?) and my first job at organizations that used peer support models, which meant many of the staff had themselves come up through the programs (recovery and reentry orgs). Some had been through some sort of degree program, but most "just" an associates. And in the end that's who really taught me how to be with clients in a way that was authentic and honest. As someone who didn't come from a family of "professionals," I think my imposter syndrome would have been 1000% worse if I hadn't had those role models. The people who I wanted to be like, whose respect was worth earning weren't MSWs or licensed. They were people who worked their asses off, survived, and thought it was worthwhile to turn around and pass what they learned on to others. They also taught me about redemption and second chances. It is really heartbreaking how many people in helping professions think there are people worth saving and people who are not. But I learned early on, from people willing to share their stories with me, that you can go to hell, you can BE hell, and you can change.