Abstract
Selecting the best students and hiring the best social workers are important professionalresponsibilities. Findings from this exploratory study identify personalattributes that are significant in enabling MSW students and social workemployees to succeed. Social work educators and agency administrators generallyagree that personal attributes such as ethical behavior, honesty, and respectfulnessare more important than cognitive traits such as numeric skills and academicrecord. A discussion addresses implications for MSW admissions andcurriculum as well as agency policy and practices.