PREDICTORS OF MSW EMPLOYMENT IN GERONTOLOGICAL PRACTICE

Abstract

As the number of elders continues to grow, the supply of masters-level gerontological social workers falls short of the documented need. Using symbolic interactionism as the theoretical framework, this study explored factors influencing graduate social work students' employment in aging-related jobs following graduation. The impact of gerontological education, aging attitudes and anxiety, extent and quality of elder contact, perceptions of gerontological social work, and student demographics were examined. Additionally, degree of contact with elders and the need for gerontological knowledge in their current jobs was examined for graduates in both aging and non-aging positions. Surveys were completed by second year MSW students one month prior to graduation and again six months post-graduation. Results indicate that 20% of all graduates were employed in aging-related positions and that the majority of all graduates had contact with elders and used gerontological knowledge in their jobs, regardless of their field of practice. Aging knowledge and skills, frequency and quality of elder contact, gerontological internships, and undergraduate gerontology courses were positively associated with aging-related employment. Logistic regression revealed that contact frequency and rewarding interactions with older clients were significant predictors of aging-related work. Educational implications are discussed.