Professional Self-Realization of Social Work Graduates (According to the Findings of Sociological Research)

The article presents the results of the sociological survey on the demand for social work specialists and their professional self-realization in practical activity in the regional bodies of social protection system (on the example of the Irkutsk region). In the conditions of the development of social protection system for the population, there is a shortage of social work specialists and the problem of their employment after graduation. The article analyzes the issue of employment of specialists in social work and the development prospects of this job market segment. The authors provide the results of the sociological survey on the opinion of social work graduates of Baikal State University on the prestige or the lack of prestige of the profession and on the problems of placement and employment. On the basis of the research, recommendations were prepared for the current students majoring in sociology for their successful professional self-realization and obtaining employment in their field of study. The article also provides the results of the expert interview with the participation of the heads and experts of social protection authorities of the Irkutsk region. The experts characterized the need for social work professionals in general, and in a social protection system in particular. The study revealed the problem of matching between the professional training of social workers (according to the educational level and specialization) and the positions held. On the basis of the research, recommendations are proposed to enhance the prestige of the specialty «Social Work» and the demand for such specialists, and also how to increase the chances for professional self-realization of social work professionals.