Spirituality and Religiosity: Their Effects on Undergraduate Social Work Career Choice

This study explores the role spirituality plays in selecting social work as a profession among 70 undergraduate students at a small private Christian college and a large state university. The relationship between spirituality and career motivation is assessed by the Abbreviated Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire and student self-report of career motivations. Findings from this exploratory study indicate that more than 80% of students considered their spirituality to be influential in their career choice, and significant relationships were found between students' perception of their career as a calling, the degree of spiritual influence on career choice, and their additional motivations for choosing social work as a career. This article discusses the research findings, explores theoretical and practical implications for social work practice and education at both secular and nonsecular schools, and encourages further study of the role spirituality plays in the careers of current and future social work practitioners.