The Novice Voyage: Challenges Experienced by Social Workers in their First Year of Full Employment

Abstract

The transition from university to work is no doubt an issue of paramount importance considering the ever changing business and working environment. The process entails change and adaptation to new situations and circumstances that dictate basic skills needed for the successful transition to the workplace setting. In the process of transition from university to work, many graduates are confronted with challenges that deter them from thriving as labour entrants. This has raised concerns on whether university training and education equips graduates with necessary competencies to overcome challenges during the transition period. Against this backdrop, this paper explores the challenges that graduate social workers face in their first year of full employment as they transition to the work environment. Insights gleaned from this qualitative study show that graduate social workers experience several challenges in their first year of full employment which strains the transition process from university to work. These challenges include among other things, Age disparity between newly qualified social workers and their clients, poor orientation practices, inadequate resources to carry out tasks, poor supervision practices, and work overload. The findings of this study are vital in guiding adjustments of social work settings to smoothen the University to work transition by newly qualified social workers.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n14p465