This study surveyed graduating Master of Social Work (MSW) students from social-work programs in 3 Southern states to obtain information about students' attitudes toward aging, gerontological knowledge, and factors predictive of interest in working with older adults. Students' self-rated aging skills, contact frequency with older adults, rewarding…

The rapidly growing aging population highlights the need for social workers trained in gerontological practice and interested in work with older adults. This study, conducted in two southern states, examined recent social work graduates' perceptions of aging-related work and identified factors influencing their employment in aging related jobs.…

It is expected that the demand for gerontological social workers will increase as the elderly population continues to grow. However, many practitioners enter the aging field with little or no formal training. Successful gerontological social work practice requires workers to be knowledgeable and technically competent. Fieldwork plays a critical…