Challenges and Realities of the New Social Work Professionals

Abstract

The objective of this study is to identify the challenges and realities faced by new social work professionals in the province of Guayas, from the perspective of future social workers. To this end, a quantitative research study with a descriptive design was proposed. The results of the study indicate that social work is a profession that presents important challenges, including a lack of knowledge about its functions. Notwithstanding the aforementioned challenges, the field of social work is expansive and can be managed and transformed in a manner that is beneficial to professionals, thereby expanding their job opportunities and improving the assignment of their functions to those that they should really perform and not those that are currently assigned to them due to a lack of knowledge. To this end, the need for a comprehensive training program that is adjusted to the reality and current needs of the profession, as well as for continuous training, is highlighted. Furthermore, the importance of generic and specific competencies that are constantly evolving and of a strong vocation of service is underscored.