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The relationships between the failure of curriculum, practicum, career development, and turnover in social work education: A qualitative inquiry of gay MSW graduates in Hong Kong
Date Issued
2026
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
ISSN
2993-3021
2993-303X
Citation
Sexual and Gender Diversity in Social Services, 2026, vol. 38(1), pp. 28-47.
Type
Peer Reviewed Journal Article
Abstract
This study aims to explore challenges and feedback regarding social work curriculum and practicum based on the experiences and lived stories of a group of recent MSW graduates in Hong Kong—specifically, gay men. The study further seeks to determine how the sexual orientations, social stigma, and attitudes of social work faculty members, supervisors, and center managers could play important roles in recent MSW graduates’ career development. Based on 14 participants’ qualitative data and materials, the findings of this study discovered that the MSW curriculum and preparation of university instructors, supervisors, and social service managers are not ready to meet and satisfy the needs of sexually minoritized groups in Hong Kong. More importantly, many participants expressed negative job satisfaction due to the non-sexually minoritized friendly environments that significantly impact their career development in social work. The outcomes of this study outline the contemporary problems that social work leadership needs to take action on. Otherwise, the social work profession will continue to suffer from human resources shortages with professional social workers.
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