Transformation of social work as a profession: view through the motivation of young specialists

Abstract

The article focuses on the problem of the gap between theory and practice of social work and the possibilities of its solution using the example of everyday life of junior specialists involved into scientific and pedagogical activities in the sphere of social work. Empirical research was designed as a case study, which included observation, 12 semi structured in depth interviews with undergraduate and postgraduate students, junior lecturers and three interviews with the experts. Various motivations of junior specialists to practical, scientific and pedagogical activities have been revealed. The articleshows how this variety influences the effectiveness of introducing the models of reflexive specialist and knowledge-based practice into education in social work.