A group of young secondary school students, mostly from schools in the city of Braga, took part yesterday in the Open Day of Social Work at the Portuguese Catholic University - Braga Regional Centre, an initiative promoted by the Social Work Student Commission, with the aim of showcasing one of the institution's oldest degrees and its transformative role in society.
The programme, which opened with a welcome session, included guided tours of the two Católica-Braga centres, information sessions on scholarships and social support, application processes and career paths, as well as the screening of a short documentary on the ‘Ser Cuida(I)doso’ project, winner of the International University 2024 Award.
There was also a moment of dialogue and networking at the Portuguese Red Cross Mobile Health Promotion Unit, with professionals from various areas of Social Work intervention. For Letícia Vasconcelos, a 12th year student, this experience was very important for discerning her professional vocation. ‘I'm still not sure what area I want to pursue, but this visit helped me understand the course better and got me interested,’ she told Diário do Minho.
Lara Bonjardim, an 11th grader, also took part to answer questions, accompanied by a classmate who plans to study engineering. Beatriz Costa, one of the finalists on the degree, shared her experience with the group of secondary school students, pointing out that it is a ‘very comprehensive programme’ and that it offers internships practically from the start of the course.
"We've had contact with the field since our second year. This relationship between theory and practice is essential in our course. The internship allows us to understand reality and know how to intervene with responsibility and empathy," she said.
The coordinator of the Degree in Social Work, Catarina Vieira da Silva, emphasised the importance of this course, which has been taught at Católica-Braga for 25 years. "It's a core degree programme with an identity very much in line with UCP's principles. It plays a fundamental role in social transformation. Working with vulnerable populations, in contexts of exclusion, migration, ageing or poverty, requires solid, ethical and practical training - and that's what we offer," he said.
The degree, which lasts three and a half years, includes five curricular internships and is currently undergoing a restructuring process to better respond to contemporary social challenges.
‘Most of our finalists find jobs straight after completing the course,’ he said.
