This week's career clinic question in the magazine comes from a social work undergraduate who will be 57 when he qualifies in 2009 and whose only practical experience is as a volunteer and two 100-day social work placements. He wants to know: "Can I get a job as a social worker at my age and with my limited practical experience? And is there anything during the remainder of my social work degree course I can do to improve my job opportunities?"

This has already generated responses from several readers, including the following:

"One would presume so otherwise why would you have been accepted onto a vocational course - with  GSCC bursary funding - in the first place? Think back to how difficult it was to get a place on the course. Was it 'open house' or was there a selection process? I imagine the latter, in which case you've probably got a lot more going for you than you realise. And what's age got to do with it (apart from a wealth of life experience)? Think about it, if you were 24-years-old and in the same position would you be questioning the possibility of not getting a job? If I were you, I would speak to my tutor or another approachable member of staff. Good luck! (Submitted by David)

You appear to think that you do not have much to offer to potential employers when you talk about “my only practical experiences”. You need to revise your attitude and start viewing your experiences in a positive light. I am a newly qualified social worker and have recently been offered my first position. I found employers were very understanding towards inexperienced social workers. Nonetheless, it is perhaps a good idea to think about taking up voluntary/paid part time work as a student as this may give you confidence in discussing more recent examples of your competencies at interview. As for your age, all of my fellow students (who were closer in age to you than I) successfully obtained their first positions. So age may only be an issue if you portray it as one. (Name and address withheld)

Most students, regardless of age, are anxious at this period in their training and voice the same concerns as yourself about "being fit to practice". One student once described to me that it's like taking driving lessons, passing, then  given the keys to a brand new car and told to drive off. Believe me, you would not have progressed this far if there were any doubts about your capabilities to date - the university, placement colleagues and practice assessors would have made their views known. At the risk of sounding ageist, you have a wealth of life experience to draw upon and there is no substitute for this. Add your motivation to embark on a degree course and to progress this far, and I would say the future looks good. The remainder of the placement should include speaking with colleagues about their own experiences in the job market and seeking out managers to ask advice about recruitment. Speak to your practice assessor and tutors about their experiences and ask their advice. Attend job fairs so you can speak directly to employers and get feedback. Above all, enjoy your final placement and remember the reasons why you chose social work as a career. I wish you continued success.and soon you will be driving off to a new career. (Submtted by Patricia Curran, independent social worker/practice assessor)

What do you think?