Job Expectations and Career Goals of Title IV-E Child Welfare Social Workers with Varying Levels of Work Experience: How Do They Differ?

ABSTRACT

A comparison of three groups of Title IV-E child welfare workers revealed significant differences among all groups on job expectations and career goals. New workers reported most positive expectations for their jobs, and greatest interest in child welfare careers and in pursuing educational goals. Seasoned workers expressed least positive expectations and least interest in future child welfare careers and educational goals. Findings may assist universities in student selection and curriculum. Child welfare agencies may benefit in areas of recruitment, training, and policies. Realistic job previews might moderate high expectations for new workers and reduce unmet expectations for experienced workers.

KEYWORDS:

• Public child welfare
• social work
• job expectations
• career goals
• MSWs

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susan E. Jacquet

Susan Jacquet was a Data Management Specialist at the California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) managing the data on CalSWEC students and graduates. She also worked with Dr. Sandhya Rao Hermon on surveys of California's MSW students and graduates, as well as research initiatives on outcomes for child welfare and the efficacy of the CalSWEC stipend programs.

Sandhya Rao Hermon

Sandhya Rao Hermon is the Director of Research and Evaluation at the California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC). Her research interests relate to social work workforce development, organizational change and the evaluation of learning.