Student strategies for surviving social work education in Aotearoa New Zealand

INTRODUCTION: There is a growing literature reporting on the stressors facing social work students as they move through their social work education. This article reports on part of a study of student hardship that asked Aotearoa New Zealand social work students about the strategies that they utilised to maintain their wellbeing, and to offer their advice to future students. METHOD: A mixed methods study incorporating a survey (N = 353) and 31 semi-structured interviews was conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2019. Participants in the study were then current students or new graduates in their first two years of practice at the time the research was conducted. FINDINGS: Student participants reported various strategies used to support their progress through their social work study. The survey results indicated a strong reliance on relational supports with peers, family/whānau and friends. Qualitative themes were developed, including: individual, relational, institutional, cultural and societal supports reported by the students. Participant advice to future students added an intrapersonal attribute of self-knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: While it is important to learn from the students about the strategies and supports that were useful in sustaining them and enhancing their resilience, the importance of considering structural challenges and the need to resist neoliberal policies and conditions are also critical.