Internships in social entities in the offer of social work in Spain: learning from the practices and their actors

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results of a study that analyzed the structure, organization and offering of internships as part of undergraduate degrees in Social Work at Spanish universities (82), as well as the intended attainment from these work experiences in social institutions and entities.  The content of undergraduate degrees in Social Work taught at Spanish universities (37), the courses related to internships or work placements (85), and the range of specific skills associated with these courses were analyzed.  The content analysis of the selected skills identified and described 42 professional skills. The results of this study provide insight into the offering of undergraduate degrees in Social Work in Spain, as well as skills acquired from internships that relate to professional activity. Social Work internshipsare a transactional space of collaborative learning between universities, the profession, and social entities that generate clear potential for all the involved parties. The acquisition of skills, abilities and competencies through internships facilitates understanding the use of methodology in different professional areas and levels, as well as the application of ethical problem solving principles and strategies; this facilitates the acquisition of professional skills in all areas of development.

KEYWORDS:

• Social work in higher education
• internships
• educational innovation
• collaborative service-learning

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Translator’s Note

The titles of non-English language works have been translated and placed in brackets after the original title.

Notes

1. Available at https://eventos.um.es/event_detail/687/detail/i-congreso-internacional-de-facultades-y-escuelas-de-trabajo-social_-andquot%3Bel-trabajo-social-ante.html

2. Available at http://cifets.unirioja.es/1/CIFETS-2016

3. Available at https://cifets2018.deusto.es/18900/detail/cifets-2018.html

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Enrique Pastor Seller

Enrique Pastor Seller, Doctor in Sociology, Professor of University of Murcia (Spain) Department of Social Work and Social Services, Professional Experience as Director of Social Services Centres. Director School Specialization Professional Social Work (1998-2006). Deputy Director Social Work (2006-2010). Director Faculty of Social Work (2010-2014). Vice President of the Conference of Directors/as of Social Work of Spain (2013-2015). Vice President General Council Social Work os Spain (2015-2018). Director Research Group: “Social Work and Social Services”. Director Azarbe, Journal Internacional Trabajo Social y Bienestar. International research and publications: Social work with communities, participation, higher education, social services, etc., Author of numerous articles, chapters and books in internationally renowned magazines and publishing houses, member Editorial Committees magazines in ISI Wos, Scopus, etc. and visiting professor and researcher at prestigious International Universities.