The relevance of social work students’ assessmements of their personality traits to the choice to study social work and intention to work in the field

The article deals with the issue of the relationship between the motives of choosing social work study program, intention to work as social workers, and personal qualities which the students attribute to themselves. 118 students (from first to fourth year) of social work program of the Vilnius University were surveyed using standardized questionnaire. The research proved that dominating motives for choosing the study program are willingness to deal with people and notion that the profession fits needs and interests of the students. Both choosing of the program and intention to work as a social worker are related to possessing personal qualities required for an efficient social worker, such as empathy, unconditional positive regard, warmth, compassion and willingness to help. Those who intend to work as social workers base their decision on believe that the profession will provide possibilities for self-realization, as well as believe that their personal qualities fit demands of the profession, and also their willingness to help people