Considerations for Choosing Social Work Profession and Professional Preferences of Retraining Program Students in Israel

Background: Retraining learning programs of social work are designed for BA graduates who have studied other subjects, and take place in various forms. This study aims to examine the considerations of choosing a social work... [ view full abstract ]

Background: Retraining learning programs of social work are designed for BA graduates who have studied other subjects, and take place in various forms. This study aims to examine the considerations of choosing a social work profession as a career among retraining program students, and their professional preferences, in light of the increased number of such programs in Israel. In the current study a comparison was made between 56 retraining program students and 69 regular program students in their final academic year.
Research Questions: 1. Are there differences in considerations of choosing social work profession, and professional preferences among retraining program students compared to regular program students? 2. Would there be a connection between the activities of students during their field work training, and professional preferences?
Instruments: 1. Demographic questionnaire. 2. Questionnaire of considerations and factors that influence choosing the social work profession. 3. Questionnaire of students' professional preferences regarding client populations, social services, welfare sectors, and intervention methods.
Results and Conclusion: Retraining program students attributed greater importance to considerations of choice of profession for personal development, satisfaction, and interest in therapy; while working conditions were more important for regular program students. In addition, previous contact with a social worker as a family member or friend, and personal experience related to the profession had more influence on retraining program students; whereas military service or voluntary national service had more influence on regular program students. The retraining program students preferred to engage in direct intervention with individuals, and in policy practice more than the other students. Several correlations have been found between various preferences of populations and services, and field work training.
The practical conclusion of the study is that the retraining program curriculum, both academic and practical, should be better adapted to the needs of contemporary social work.