The competencies of social service profession : As seen by the soon-to-be bachelor’s graduates
Huotari, Jouko (2021)
Huotari, Jouko
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021111220178
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021111220178
Tiivistelmä
Social service profession can be seen to be undergoing a major change. The changes brought about by internationalization, the increase in economic and social inequality in the societies and the change in the social significance of social work profession are examples of themes that affect the sector internationally. Several social challenges are similar in different countries. Education plays an important role in shaping the skills and competencies. International student exchange and co-teaching are relevant currently. The background of this thesis is strongly linked to my own experience as a social service student at Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OUAS) and as an exchange student at the Zürcher Hochschule Für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW).
During my studies, I experienced that students from both countries describe the challenges and competence requirements in a surprisingly similar way. My own experience in exchange studies broadened my understanding of my field and its professional requirements and aroused my interest in developing future cooperation between the schools. In my thesis, I wanted to find out about the Finnish and the Swiss students’ perceived order of importance of the competencies of their profession. The study identified the most important internationally shared competencies from the students’ perspective. My thesis has been commissioned by OAMK's degree program in social service. Knowledge of students' experiences of the most important competencies in their field is beneficial in the development of international cooperation and, for example, joint teaching. For my personal learning goals, I wanted to reflect my own perceptions of the competencies on the results. The study was carried out as a qualitative study with an online survey using the Webropol software for social studies students in the final stages of their studies in Finland and Switzerland. The response options to the survey were formed from the definitions of competencies of the above-mentioned schools.
In the light of the results of the research, recent social service professionals see the encountering of diversity, the reduction of inequality and the promotion of equality as the most important competencies of their work. Ethical skills and self-reflection, as well as good communication with the client in a participatory way are also essential. As a proposal for further research, I would suggest a study on why students consider these very important skills, while, for example, the importance of scientific skills is perceived as low in both countries.
During my studies, I experienced that students from both countries describe the challenges and competence requirements in a surprisingly similar way. My own experience in exchange studies broadened my understanding of my field and its professional requirements and aroused my interest in developing future cooperation between the schools. In my thesis, I wanted to find out about the Finnish and the Swiss students’ perceived order of importance of the competencies of their profession. The study identified the most important internationally shared competencies from the students’ perspective. My thesis has been commissioned by OAMK's degree program in social service. Knowledge of students' experiences of the most important competencies in their field is beneficial in the development of international cooperation and, for example, joint teaching. For my personal learning goals, I wanted to reflect my own perceptions of the competencies on the results. The study was carried out as a qualitative study with an online survey using the Webropol software for social studies students in the final stages of their studies in Finland and Switzerland. The response options to the survey were formed from the definitions of competencies of the above-mentioned schools.
In the light of the results of the research, recent social service professionals see the encountering of diversity, the reduction of inequality and the promotion of equality as the most important competencies of their work. Ethical skills and self-reflection, as well as good communication with the client in a participatory way are also essential. As a proposal for further research, I would suggest a study on why students consider these very important skills, while, for example, the importance of scientific skills is perceived as low in both countries.