First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from Colorado State University 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 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 86%, Social Work graduates from Colorado State University 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, 57% 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 2014 from Colorado State University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONInternCrossroads Safehouse Jan 2014 - Jul 2014 Instructional Assistant The Joshua School Aug 2014 - Present ABOUTI am a graduate from Colorado State University with a bachelors degree in Social Work. I hope to continue my education to pursue a Masters in Social Work degree within a year but am looking for work and experience first.The knowledge and skills learned in my classes throughout my college career will help me become the competent and proactive social worker that I strive to be. Although my work experience is exceptional, I pride myself in my volunteer work. Since coming to college I have surrounded myself by the many volunteering opportunities available. During my freshman year at CSU, I was accepted into the Key Service program which not only helped students in academic achievement but also encouraged students such as myself to become involved in the community. Since then, I have found my true passion in volunteering and helping others. With traveling abroad I have discovered a passion in helping the people in different countries as well. My most recent international travel was Kenya, Africa in the Samburu district. This year I have began an internship at Crossroads Safehouse which is a domestic violence shelter for families who have experienced intimate partner violence. Crossroads offers a variety of programs and my responsibilities are within the youth program. I hope to find a job in social work specifically working with kids with disabilities. I am currently employed at Respite Care Inc and have been there for over a year. As wonderful as my time has been there, I would like to relocate to Denver and look for job opportunities there. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From looking at the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from Colorado State University with a degree in Social Work, it seems like a lot of them have landed jobs that either directly relate to social work or at least touch on some of its principles. Many of these graduates are working in roles like clinical assistants, child life specialists, social workers in schools, and therapists, where they use their social work skills daily to help individuals, families, and communities. These jobs typically involve supporting mental health, advocating for clients, and providing emotional care in various settings such as hospitals and schools.
However, not every job listed seems to make the most of their social work background. A number of graduates have taken roles more focused on administrative work or teaching, where social work principles might not be the main focus. Some have even stepped into roles like project management and restaurant management, which stray far from the core of social work. Overall, while many graduates do find relevant positions that make good use of their degrees, there's definitely a mix of roles that either closely resemble social work or only skimp on the social work knowledge. So, if you're thinking about majoring in Social Work, it's a good idea to look out for how you can align your career path with your interests, because the relevance of jobs can really vary from one graduate to the next!
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 Colorado State University):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Colorado State University who studied Social Work, it’s clear that many of them have landed in jobs closely related to their field right after graduating. For instance, we see a lot of first positions that are directly tied to social work or child care roles—like clinical assistants, social workers in hospitals, and various internships in different organizations. This suggests that after school, a significant number of grads are sticking to jobs that leverage their degree, typically in health, education, or social services.
Fast forward five or ten years, and the picture remains fairly strong for these graduates. While some individuals have shifted to roles that might feel a bit distant from traditional social work—like project managers or even office managers, which may not seem as directly relevant—the majority continue in social work-related positions, such as clinical supervisors, therapists, or case managers. This indicates that the degree has paved the way for a stable pathway in relevant careers for many, although there are some who have taken a more winding road. Overall, it seems like a CSUS social work degree holds up well in getting grads into meaningful roles where they can make an impact, though success can vary significantly from one individual to another.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Colorado State University—or really anywhere—can be a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it’s definitely not just a walk in the park; you’ll dive into some challenging subjects like psychology, ethics, and policy, plus there’s a lot of emphasis on hands-on experience through fieldwork, which can be pretty intense. On the other hand, it’s designed to be supportive and engaging, so if you’re passionate about helping people and motivated, it can feel more manageable. Overall, I’d say it’s harder than some degrees but not the toughest out there—just be ready to put in the effort and really connect with the material!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Social Work.
Alright, so when it comes to these Colorado State University grads in social work, it really seems like they're on a bit of a rollercoaster when it comes to money. Early in their careers, many took on internships and part-time roles, so they likely didn’t make much, if anything, during those periods—especially compared to those pursuing other majors. As time goes on, some have snagged decent full-time positions, particularly in clinical roles, which usually pay better, but others are still in entry-level or part-time jobs that probably aren’t breaking the bank. Overall, it looks like while a few are moving up the ladder into more lucrative gigs, a lot of them are just scraping by, especially in the earlier years. So, it’s a mixed bag—definitely rewarding in terms of helping people, but maybe not the best financially right off the bat!
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 Colorado State University). 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: