First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from California State University-Sacramento we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 86%, Social Work graduates from California State University-Sacramento have a much higher likelihood (+19%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 40% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Social Work graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from California State University-Sacramento with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONClinical Social Worker, MSW IGender Health Center Sep 2012 - May 2013 Clinical Social Worker, MSW II California State University, Sacramento Sep 2013 - May 2014 Adjunct Professor-Internship Los Rios Community College District Apr 2014 - Apr 2015 Child Protective Services Dependency Sacramento County Mar 2015 - Aug 2015 Medical Social Worker, MSW River City Medical Group Aug 2015 - Dec 2019 Medical Social Worker Blossom Ridge Home Health and Hospice Nov 2019 - Nov 2021 Social Work-Adjunct Faculty Lecturer California State University-Sacramento Aug 2019 - Dec 2022 Case Manager Home & Health Care Management May 2022 - Jan 2024 FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Social Work (MSW)California State University-Sacramento 2010 - 2014 ABOUTSocial worker with 10+ years experience utilizing consumer center approach to empower and assists the individual in their personal and environmental goals. Service focused social worker and leader with skills in program development, implementation, training and supervision of direct-service staff in non profit and private sector. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking through the job experiences of graduates from California State University-Sacramento who earned their degree in Social Work, a common trend emerges: many took on roles directly aligned with social work principles and practices. Positions such as Clinical Social Workers, Case Managers, and various roles within human services and medical settings really stand out as highly relevant. These jobs require a solid understanding of social work concepts and involve direct support for clients—something that’s at the heart of social work training. The graduates using their skills in mental health counseling, child welfare, and community services clearly demonstrate how their education is playing a vital role in their careers.
However, not every graduate ended up in a position that directly relates to social work. Some veered off into roles like Customer Service Representative or Administrative Clerk, which don’t really make use of the specific training they received. While some might argue that soft skills like communication and empathy are beneficial in any job, those roles generally focus more on administrative tasks than on applying social work knowledge. Overall, while many alumni have successfully transitioned into roles that utilize their social work education, there are also instances where they’ve taken on jobs that don’t fully embrace the principles of social work. This mix shows how diverse career paths can be, even for those with a specific degree background.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Social Work graduates (this is across all Social Work graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University-Sacramento):
When you look at the career paths of graduates from California State University-Sacramento with a degree in Social Work, it’s pretty clear that many of them land jobs related to the field soon after graduation. For those who graduated around 2010 to 2013, their first jobs often seem to be stepping stones in social work or related roles, like working as clinical social workers, case managers, or even in positions like transit operator, which although not directly related, still indicates a desire to help people in community settings. Over time, you see a lot of these grads moving up the ranks within social services, taking on more significant roles such as program analysts or even faculty positions in academia, which shows real career growth and commitment to the field.
Fast forward five to ten years, and many graduates are solidly in social work or have expanded into necessary support roles like case management or counseling. While it's not perfect—like a few graduates who ended up in customer service or unrelated roles for a stretch—most seem to have found their way and are contributing to social work in meaningful ways. Overall, it looks like California State University-Sacramento does a good job prepping students for real-world social work careers, and many graduates are not only sticking with it but also advancing in their careers in the field. If you're considering a social work degree there, it seems like a promising path!
So, here’s the deal with getting a Bachelor’s in Social Work at California State University-Sacramento: it’s definitely challenging, but it's also really rewarding. The coursework covers a lot of ground—like psychology, sociology, and social justice issues—so you gotta be ready to dive into some heavy topics and do a good amount of reading and writing. While it might feel a bit more intense than some other majors because of the hands-on assignments and practicums, it’s not impossible. If you’re passionate about helping others and are willing to put in the effort, you can definitely manage it! Plus, most people find that studying Social Work is pretty fulfilling, even if it does push you a bit outside your comfort zone.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Social Work.
Alright, so when looking at the job history of these Social Work grads from California State University-Sacramento, it seems like their earnings might not be anything to write home about, but there's some potential for decent salaries as they gain experience. The earlier jobs tend to be in entry-level positions or internships, which often come with low pay, especially in the non-profit or public sectors where many social workers start out. However, as they move into roles like Staff Services Manager or Medical Social Worker, there’s a noticeable step up in responsibility, which usually brings better pay. Ultimately, it looks like they may start on the lower side of the pay scale, but with the right positions and experience, there's a good chance they can make a decent living over time!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Social Work (this is across all Social Work graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University-Sacramento). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Social Work (ordered by the average relevance score of their Social Work graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: