Factors Influencing Graduate-Social-Work Students' Interest in Working with Elders

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 interaction with older clients, and a stronger belief that gerontological social work offers good career opportunities were significant predictors of students' interest in aging related work. While only a minority of students had engaged in an aging-related internship, over 60% reported that they would have been likely to do so if a stipend had been included.