CHOOSING SOCIAL WORK AS A FIELD OF STUDY

Daniela BARKASI

associate professor, St. Elizabeth University of Health and Social sciences, Institute of Beatific M. D. Trček in Michalovce, Partizánska 23, Michalovce 071 01, Slovakia, daniela.barkasi@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0001-8266-5302

Vladimir NOGA

assistant professor, St. Elizabeth University of Health and Social sciences, Institute of Beatific M. D. Trček in Michalovce, Partizánska 23, Michalovce 071 01, Slovakia, noga.vladimir@gmail.com

Abstract

In this topics we will discuss about students' motivation to choose the field of study Social Work. Choosing a profession is a key moment in the life of every individual, and the decision to study at a university is influenced by a number of factors. Our research focused on analyzing motivation from the perspective of gender and form of study. As a tool, we used a questionnaire from the team of authors Leczová et al. (2014), which includes statements divided into three areas of motivational factors: prosocial, career and conformal motivational factors. We investigated the motivation to choose the field of study Social Work, which is a profession that requires not only professional knowledge and practical skills, but also specific personality prerequisites. The research results show that students chose this field mainly for prosocial reasons, which indicates their interest in helping others, a positive attitude towards working with people and natural prosocial qualities.

Keywords

Social work, prosocial motivational factors, career motivational factors, conform motivational factors, choice of field of study

SUMMARY

Based on the findings, we can state that the choice of a field of study is influenced by several factors, and only one factor or motive never plays a role. In our research, we found that students chose this field of study mainly because of prosocial motivational factors and were least influenced by conformist motivational factors. At the same time, we found that specific motivational factors are typical for specific groups. Our findings are in line with several research studies that have already been carried out in the subject area. Age is a significant factor that determines the primary basic motivational tendencies when choosing the field of study Social Work.

For the work of a social worker, professional theoretical knowledge and practical skills are necessary and essential, as well as certain key personal prerequisites and abilities that are important for the quality performance of this profession. Our research showed that students choose this field of study mainly for prosocial motivational reasons. This finding is extremely positive because it indicates that students enjoy working with people, desire to help them, and find deep meaning in social work. At the same time, it also points to their positive relationship with people and suitable personality prerequisites for this profession. On the contrary, the least significant motivational factors in choosing this field were the conformity category. We are pleased with the favorable result in that it is proof that students have the potential to be good helping professionals after completing their studies.

(Language: english)

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