The first year experience of social work students: Developing a ‘sense of fit’ and engagement with the profession. A Practice Report

  • Jenny Kaighin
  • Waveney Croft

Abstract

Engagement is believed to be critical to a successful first year experience. This paper examines a range of strategies introduced into a first year Social Work and Human Services unit at Queensland University of Technology. The focus of these strategies was to enhance student engagement through building connections with peers, lecturers and the Social Work and Human Services professions. It is argued in this paper that students are more likely to continue with their studies if they are supported in building an emerging identity as both a university student and as a Social Work or Human Services practitioner.  A range of strategies was introduced, including restructuring the unit to include an early intensive teaching block; inviting current practitioners to speak with students about the realities of practice; and embedding an academic skills component into the unit. Feedback from students highlighted the success of these strategies in developing their academic skills, building connections and embedding a sense of fit with the profession.

Published
Apr 19, 2013
How to Cite
KAIGHIN, Jenny; CROFT, Waveney. The first year experience of social work students: Developing a ‘sense of fit’ and engagement with the profession. A Practice Report. The International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, [S.l.], v. 4, n. 1, p. 117-123, apr. 2013. ISSN 1838-2959. Available at: <http://fyhejournal.com/article/view/161>. Date accessed: 16 aug. 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.5204/intjfyhe.v4i1.161.
Section
Practice Reports

Keywords

First year experience, engagement, connection, sense of fit, social work profession,

Since 2015-11-27

Abstract Views : 1104
PDF Views : 248

Until 2015-11-27:

Abstract Views : 2333
PDF Views : 786