Students' Experiences of University and an Australian Social Work Program: Coming, Going, Staying

ABSTRACT

Student engagement, retention, and professional commitment is strongly influenced during the early stages of the university experience. However, a number of factors can undermine engagement, which has implications for the individual, the professional workforce, and university funding and reputation. This paper reports on cooperative inquiry research that explored the beginning experiences of 17 social work students from one regional Australian university. In-depth, qualitative data were collected during six discussions that focused on understanding the experiences that influenced university retention, enjoyment, and success. Data analysis revealed three primary themes: (i) purpose and timing, (ii) balancing commitments, and (iii) a sense of belonging. Findings suggested that students often struggled to balance life, work, and family commitments, while appreciating university processes that reduced stressors and contributed to a sense of belonging.

早期的大学经历对于学生的参与度、在学率以及专业投入有着强烈的影响。不过，有些因素会消弱参与度，这对于个人，专业职场以及大学的资金和声誉都有关涉。本文所报道的合作研究探讨了一所澳大利亚地区大学的17位社工大学生的最初经历。深度的定性资料来自聚焦于影响在校率、娱乐及成功的经历的六次访谈。数据分析显示了三个初步的主题：1）意图和时间规划；2）义务的平衡；3）归属感。研究发现，学生往往苦于平衡生活、工作以及家庭义务，他们感激学校能为之减负，能曾强其归属感。

KEYWORDS:

• Social Work Students
• First Year Student Experience
• Qualitative Research
• Retention

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the students who participated in the S4S project and contributed their wisdom to this research. The following students gave permission to be named: Raelene Brock, Anteneh Demelash Kassa, Melissa Field, Cecilia Ramognino de Brieva. We would like to acknowledge all the academics who initiated and facilitated the larger Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Programme (HEPPP) project, particularly the Project Coordinator, Dr Erica Southgate.

Additional information

Funding

Funding was provided by the HEPPP.