Social Work
The Social Work major is a professional degree program that provides the knowledge, values, and skills needed for generalist social work practice. You learn to help individuals, families, groups, and communities prevent and respond to social problems. As a practicing social worker, you modify harmful social conditions, promote social and economic well being, and increase opportunities for people to live fulfilling, dignified lives.
Sample Occupations
- Public Welfare
- Administration & Planning
- Policy Development
- Criminal/Justice Corrections
- Counseling/Therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Probation
- Youth Services
- Victim Assistance
- Drug Prevention
- School/Education
- Counseling
- Student Advocacy
- Grant Writing
- Pupil Personnel Services
- Clinical
- Counseling/Therapy
- Crisis Intervention
- Program Planning
- Case Management
- Administration
- Management
- Supervision
- Fundraising
- Healthcare
- Prevention and Education
- Wellness Promotion
- Hospice Care
- Gerontology
- Advocacy/Intervention
- Programming
- Public Policy
- Child Welfare/Disabilities
- Supervision
- Research
- Program Planning
- Program Evaluation
Types of Employers
- Hospitals
- Dept. of Human Services
- Prisons & Correctional Facility
- School Districts
- Private or Group Practice
- Nursing Homes
- Adoption Agency
- Nonprofit Organizations
Preparing for your career in
Public Welfare: Supplement curriculum with course work in areas such as public relations, advertising, accounting, or management; Consider earning a business minor
Criminal Justice/ Corrections: Become familiar with community housing, remediation, job training, addiction treatment, childcare, and transportation resources; Obtain experience by volunteering at a corrections facility or victims’ program such as a rape crisis center
School/Education: Plan to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including teachers, school counselors, school administrators, and therapists. Develop strong communication and writing skills; Gain research experience; Obtain state certification to work in a school
Clinical: Master of Social Work is required; Develop strong communication and organizational skills, along with a sense of empathy; Cultivate multicultural competence
Administration: Consider a minor in business; Cultivate an understanding of motivational strategies and creative thinking skills
Healthcare: Be prepared to work with multidisciplinary teams including doctors, nurses, health, and other mental health providers; Attend local support groups to begin to understand the impact of illness on the person, family, and other support systems
Gerontology: Supplement curriculum with courses in lifespan development and aging; Become familiar with community resources ranging from medical to transportation; Get involved with organizations or programs designed for seniors
Child Welfare/Disabilities: Acquire knowledge about local/national government procedures in reunification procedures; Seek knowledge of assessment procedures and therapeutic recreational activities
How do I know if its right for me?
ASSESS: Take a career assessment, such as PathwayU, to see how your interests, values, and personality fit with majors and careers.
RESEARCH: Research the careers on this WCIDWAMI and thousands of other careers using O*Net Online, The Occupational Outlook Handbook or FirstHand.
EXPLORE: Learn more about a career field of interest by job shadowing, attending a career panel, or participating in a Career Trek. Further your exploration while gaining valuable skills by completing an internship, co-op, volunteer, or research experience.