Evolution over time in choosing a career as a social worker

ABSTRACT

This research aims to understand the evolution over time of the choice of a career in social work and to identify the parameters that influenced the representation of social work. We conducted a cross-sectional study with repeated measures surveying students enrolled in the first two years of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program between 2001 and 2019 at the University of Sherbrooke (Québec, Canada). Analysis of the responses of 431 students aged 18 to 24 showed that most respondents were female. Gender-based comparative analyses suggested that male students entering in social work studies were older than female students. In addition, almost 66% indicated having a personal life experience which led them to social work. Overall, the main function of social work perceived by respondents was help (57.8%). However, comparative analyses showed this proportion significantly decreased between 2001 and 2010 (64.4%) to 2011–2019 (51.4%). This observed trend might be associated with the decrease in political or ‘social justice’ motivations of students in social work observed over the past decades in several countries around the world. This article is based on the first study conducted in Québec that attempts to describe the profile of students enrolled in a BSW program.

KEYWORDS:

• Professions
• career choice
• social trajectory
• social work students
• education

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the student respondents from the University of Sherbrooke who took time to participate in this study.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received for this research;no funders [none].

Notes on contributors

Yves Couturier

Yves Couturier, MSW, PhD (Applied Human Sciences) is a professor of social work at the Université de Sherbrooke (Québec, Canada). His research expertise is related to integrated services, interprofessional collaboration, and sociology of professional practices in the field of health and social services.

Thomas Lemaître

Thomas Lemaître, MD, MSc (Health Sciences) completed a master’s degree in health science in 2007. As a research coordinator, he contributed to several research projects at the local and national level mainly in the field of immunization and more recently in the field of social work.

Maxime Guillette

Maxime Guillette, MSW (Social Work), completed a master’s degrees in social work in 2015. He is currently studying for a PhD in gerontology at the Université de Sherbrooke (Québec, Canada).

Dominique Gagnon

Dominique Gagnon, MSW, PhD (Gerontology), is a professor of social work at the Université du Québec au Abitibi-Témiscamingue (Québec, Canada). His research work falls within the field of gerontology. His research interests include Integrated Community-Based Primary Health for the elderly and professional practices of social workers.

Louise Belzile

Louise Belzile, PhD (Gerontology), completed her PhD studies in 2018 at the Université de Sherbrooke (Québec, Canada) after 20 years in the practice of social work. She currently lectures in a master’s program in gerontology. She contributed to several research projects at the local, national and international level since 2009. Her research interests are focused on clinical tools, integration of services, aging and interprofessional work practice and education.

Paul Wankah

Paul Wankah, MD, MSc (Health Sciences), completed a master’s degree in health sciences in 2017. He’s currently lectures in a master’s program in gerontology, while studying for a PhD in Health Sciences at the Université de Sherbrooke (Québec, Canada).