The aim of the study is to explore the experiences of international social work graduates when looking for employment in the field of social work in Sweden after graduation. Because the aim of the study is to study the experiences a graduate face when entering the labor market, we have deemed that a qualitative method with semi structured interviews to collect data would be best suited for our research. The selection will be chosen from international social work graduates who studied in Sweden. The intention is to focus on both graduates with 210 study points and graduates with 180 study points. 4 participants together. The empirical data was analyzed with the mind of using the theory of capital by Pierre Bourdieu. This theory; the theory of capital is seen as an empirically orientated concept, that has been one of the most widely used concepts in international sociology and on the intersection of sociology and educational studies. The authors have put the findings in three (3) categories: Background, labor market and further improvement. These themes were found to be a commonality with the graduates interviewed.  This study found that it can be hard to acquire employment nationally, with an international social work degree.

This thesis explores the transition from being a social work student to being a professional social worker. This is realised through a two-pronged approach, first a comprehensive literature review and secondly through semi-structured interviews with five students who graduated from their bachelor’s degree in social work at a university in Southern Sweden, January 2020. As these students graduated just as the Covid-19 pandemic was beginning to disrupt the world this is an area which is further explored. The transition from social work student to professional social worker is further analysed using two theories, namely Resilience and Schlossberg’s Transition Theory. The findings from both the literature review and interviews highlight the importance of support, especially from colleagues. Overall, though, social workers can

The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions that job recruitment organisations in Gävlehave about unemployed international social work graduates in Sweden and to explain the factorsthat affect unemployed international social work graduates’ integration into the labour market inSweden. To achieve this aim, a qualitative research design was used. In-depth interviews wereconducted with two professionals from two different job recruitment organisations in Gävle. Theinterviews were transcribed and analysed through thematic analysis. The results suggest that forthe first research question that explored the perceptions that job recruitment professionals inGävle have about unemployed international social work graduates in Sweden, five sub-themesemerged: “Expanded opportunities for integration”, “innovation and globalization”, “Equitable,transparent, and non-discriminatory policies”, “permanence and non-permanence”, and“financial power”. Meanwhile, the results indicate that for the second research question whichsought to explain the factors that affect unemployed international social work graduates’integration into the labour market in Sweden, five sub-themes emerged: “language”, “theory vs.practice debate”, “experience”, “networking and social contacts”, and “belonging”. Werecommend that international social work graduates make use of these results so that they canincrease their chances of access to jobs and integration into the labour market in Sweden.

Student attrition from universities carries high costs for individuals, universities, and society. Despite these costs, there has been limited research on the problem from the students' perspectives, specifically the perceptions of university graduates about what factors may have influenced their own retention at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). African American students complete college at the lowest rate compared to other ethnic sub groups. Guided by Tinto's theory of student departure, this qualitative consensual research study focused on the perceptions of 15 bachelor of social work graduates regarding (a) the factors that helped them to persist to graduation at an HBCU, and (b) the internal and external factors that influenced college retention. Data were gathered from semi-structured interviews, a demographic survey, and a follow-up questionnaire. Data were transcribed; member checked for enhanced trustworthiness; and then analyzed inductively using a team to develop and code domains by consensus, construct core ideas, and develop categories. Findings indicated that, among these 15 graduates, internal factors such as loss of scholarships, lack of faculty support, and lack of academic preparation influenced retention. External issues such as family strain and lack of university/community partnerships were also reported as influencing retention. In addition, findings suggested that these 15 students required increased academic, financial, mental health, and social support services to persist to graduation. This study contributes to social change by affecting improvement in retention and ensuring support services equal student needs. Improvements in retention and support could help to grow an educated and skilled work force.