Job instability and lower incomes compared with other sectors keep youngpeople out of social work even when they graduate in the subject, aseminar at the HCM City Open University heard last week.
TranHuu Phat, a fourth-year student of social work, spoke about the salaryissue as did other students. The Dong Nai native told Vietnam News afterthe seminar that he applied to study social work at university aftercarefully researching the sector as a way to challenge himself sincethis is a newish kind of work.
While at the university he recognised he had a passion for the work, and was so eager to graduate and become a social worker.
Buthe was disappointed recently to find out that social workers are notpaid well — just 4-5 million VND (190-238 USD) monthly. He does plan toapply for a job as a social worker, but if the salary remains low, hewill switch careers.
"To be a social worker is my passion,but I cannot afford to do it with a low income since I have to plan formy future and family and support my parents," he said.
"Idon't need a high salary. I hope to get enough money to survive. It isunfair that the salary of a social worker is lower than others'."
Itis illogical for someone to spend most of their time and energy onworrying about society while not being able to take care their ownfamily, he said.
Other students expresses a similar view.
HuynhGia Hien, a third year social work student at the university, said: "Iam a social worker. If my living condition is not stable when theprogramme ends, I will quit my job. In preventing corruption, why don'twe have a policy of helping social workers achieve better livingconditions?"
Phung The Kiet, 22, a new social work graduatefrom the university who now works as a volunteer at NGOs, said hedecided to study social work because he could earn money and also getopportunities to help others.
"I have just graduated. Idon't worry about being unemployed. There are so many job opportunities,because recently the government has Scheme No.32 to assist this sector.However, many graduates expect a very high salary. It's hard."
Kiet said he would continue in this sector, pointing out that those with enthusiasm and a kind heart can pursue this career.
But he admitted that out of 25 students in his class, only five want to do so.
Henow relies on his family's support but hopes to get a stable job tocover his expenses. Le Bich Phong, a social work graduate from the HCMCity Open University who now works for Life Centre, too said that notmany of his classmates have entered the field.
"Mine wasthe first batch at the HCM City Open University's social work departmentand had 174 students. However, at a recent reunion, we found that lessthan 10 from my class are social workers."
He explained that in developing countries the condition of social workers is unstable.
ButLe Thi My Hien, director of the HCM City Open University's Center forApplied Social Work, said it is the same situation in other countries.With salaries being lower than in other sectors, not many young peoplechoose to be social workers, she said.
Each year the HCMCity Open University takes in 80-100 students, and the low salaries donot prevent talented people from studying and doing social work, shesaid.
She dismissed fears of corruption caused by the lowsalaries, saying the students are responsible people who know theyshould set an example for others as social workers.
Onlyan estimated 10 percent of social work graduates work in social sectors,but the ratio has increased in the last two or three years.
Thehealth sector has realised that social work is necessary, Hien said.115 Hospital has hired two social work students from the university andthe HCM City Pediatric Hospital has taken in two others as interns.
Theeducation sector, industrial parks, vocational training schools,courts, local and foreign charities, and organisations serving disabledand older people need well-trained social workers, Hien said.
ButHuynh Minh Thao, communication manager at Information, Connecting andSharing (ICS), an independent LGBT rights organisation, said none of his10 colleagues are social work graduates. Instead, they graduated inlaw, communication, healthcare, and even Oriental studies, he said.
Other NGOs too recruit staff from other streams while only some volunteers are students of social work, he said.
"Socialwork gives us much benefit, not only money. Universities should teachstudents to do social work out of just enthusiasm. If they think muchabout money, it is hard for them to take up a job after graduation."
Inhis job it is hard to get wealthy, but he earns enough to manage hislife and buy a house after working for many years, he said, adding thatthe biggest reward for a social worker is spiritual.-VNA
TranHuu Phat, a fourth-year student of social work, spoke about the salaryissue as did other students. The Dong Nai native told Vietnam News afterthe seminar that he applied to study social work at university aftercarefully researching the sector as a way to challenge himself sincethis is a newish kind of work.
While at the university he recognised he had a passion for the work, and was so eager to graduate and become a social worker.
Buthe was disappointed recently to find out that social workers are notpaid well — just 4-5 million VND (190-238 USD) monthly. He does plan toapply for a job as a social worker, but if the salary remains low, hewill switch careers.
"To be a social worker is my passion,but I cannot afford to do it with a low income since I have to plan formy future and family and support my parents," he said.
"Idon't need a high salary. I hope to get enough money to survive. It isunfair that the salary of a social worker is lower than others'."
Itis illogical for someone to spend most of their time and energy onworrying about society while not being able to take care their ownfamily, he said.
Other students expresses a similar view.
HuynhGia Hien, a third year social work student at the university, said: "Iam a social worker. If my living condition is not stable when theprogramme ends, I will quit my job. In preventing corruption, why don'twe have a policy of helping social workers achieve better livingconditions?"
Phung The Kiet, 22, a new social work graduatefrom the university who now works as a volunteer at NGOs, said hedecided to study social work because he could earn money and also getopportunities to help others.
"I have just graduated. Idon't worry about being unemployed. There are so many job opportunities,because recently the government has Scheme No.32 to assist this sector.However, many graduates expect a very high salary. It's hard."
Kiet said he would continue in this sector, pointing out that those with enthusiasm and a kind heart can pursue this career.
But he admitted that out of 25 students in his class, only five want to do so.
Henow relies on his family's support but hopes to get a stable job tocover his expenses. Le Bich Phong, a social work graduate from the HCMCity Open University who now works for Life Centre, too said that notmany of his classmates have entered the field.
"Mine wasthe first batch at the HCM City Open University's social work departmentand had 174 students. However, at a recent reunion, we found that lessthan 10 from my class are social workers."
He explained that in developing countries the condition of social workers is unstable.
ButLe Thi My Hien, director of the HCM City Open University's Center forApplied Social Work, said it is the same situation in other countries.With salaries being lower than in other sectors, not many young peoplechoose to be social workers, she said.
Each year the HCMCity Open University takes in 80-100 students, and the low salaries donot prevent talented people from studying and doing social work, shesaid.
She dismissed fears of corruption caused by the lowsalaries, saying the students are responsible people who know theyshould set an example for others as social workers.
Onlyan estimated 10 percent of social work graduates work in social sectors,but the ratio has increased in the last two or three years.
Thehealth sector has realised that social work is necessary, Hien said.115 Hospital has hired two social work students from the university andthe HCM City Pediatric Hospital has taken in two others as interns.
Theeducation sector, industrial parks, vocational training schools,courts, local and foreign charities, and organisations serving disabledand older people need well-trained social workers, Hien said.
ButHuynh Minh Thao, communication manager at Information, Connecting andSharing (ICS), an independent LGBT rights organisation, said none of his10 colleagues are social work graduates. Instead, they graduated inlaw, communication, healthcare, and even Oriental studies, he said.
Other NGOs too recruit staff from other streams while only some volunteers are students of social work, he said.
"Socialwork gives us much benefit, not only money. Universities should teachstudents to do social work out of just enthusiasm. If they think muchabout money, it is hard for them to take up a job after graduation."
Inhis job it is hard to get wealthy, but he earns enough to manage hislife and buy a house after working for many years, he said, adding thatthe biggest reward for a social worker is spiritual.-VNA
