A Reevaluation of Social Work Students' Career Interests

Abstract

This study replicates and extends earlier research on the career interests of MSW students. The conclusions contradict those of previous researchers, who have reported that most social work students primarily are interested in becoming therapists and do not want to work with the most helpless and vulnerable client populations. The findings of this study suggest that the proportion of social work students who have no commitment to the mission of social work is quite small. There is, however, a large fraction of students who express a strong interest in traditional social work client groups and practice activities while simultaneously planning to enter private practice as therapists. The implications of these findings for students' career decisions are discussed.