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First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from Grand Valley 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 78%, Social Work graduates from Grand Valley State University have a much higher likelihood (+11%) 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:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2018 from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONThearapy Intern Easterseals Aug 2018 - Apr 2019 Access Clinician BARRY COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY Aug 2019 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Social Work - MSWGrand Valley State University 2018 - 2019 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the profiles I reviewed, it looks like graduates from Grand Valley State University who studied Social Work have ventured into a variety of jobs. The most common roles that align closely with social work include positions like Adoption Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, and various roles at organizations such as D.A. Blodgett and Bethany Christian Services. These positions usually require considerable application of social work principles, especially in fields like child welfare, mental health, and community support. It’s clear that many graduates are effectively using their degrees in meaningful ways that directly help individuals and families.
However, not all jobs these graduates have taken are relevant to their field of study. A surprising number have ended up in roles like Building Inspectors, Administrative Assistants, or Human Resources Generalists—jobs that don’t really require the specific skills or knowledge from their social work education. While some may have transferable skills from their social work training, like managing relationships or understanding community needs, the core responsibilities in these roles are often quite different. So, while plenty are thriving in social work-related jobs, there’s also a significant portion who have taken paths that stray from their training, which is pretty interesting to see.
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 Grand Valley State University):
Graduates from Grand Valley State University's Social Work program seem to follow a variety of career paths, many of which are quite relevant to the field of social work. When looking at their first jobs post-graduation, a good number of them kick off their careers in roles directly related to social services, such as social workers, case managers, and support coordinators. For instance, graduates from 2013 and 2015 have jumped straight into positions like Adoption Social Worker and Community Health Specialist, which align closely with their academic background. This suggests that the degree is setting a strong foundation for graduates to enter the social services workforce effectively.
Fast forward five to ten years, and many alumni are still working in roles tied to social work or have progressed into leadership positions within the field. For example, individuals from the 2010 and 2011 batches have ascended to director roles, while others are establishing themselves as clinical social workers or taking on specialized positions like Access Clinician. However, it’s worth noting that some graduates have wandered off track, moving into positions that seem more administrative or disconnected from social work, like a Building Official or Administrative Assistant. Overall, though, it looks like many alumni find meaningful work relevant to their degree, contributing positively to their communities over the years, which is definitely a good sign for future graduates!
So, getting a Bachelor’s in Social Work at Grand Valley State University, or really anywhere, is kind of a mixed bag. It’s not exactly a walk in the park, but it's also not the hardest degree out there. You’ll dive into topics like psychology, sociology, and social justice, and there can definitely be some intense coursework and fieldwork that requires a lot of time and emotional energy. The good news is that the program is designed to help you grow and learn how to support others, so if you're passionate about it, the challenges might feel worth it. Overall, it’s definitely demanding, but if you’re all in for helping people, you might find it rewarding and totally manageable!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Social Work.
Looking at these graduates from Grand Valley State University, it seems like they’re landing a mix of solid but not super high-paying jobs, typical of social work and related fields. The Foster Home Licensing Specialist and various social worker roles are vital but often come with modest salaries, which is pretty standard in this line of work. On the other hand, some folks, like those in building inspection and management roles, might be raking in some decent dough since their jobs often pay better. However, many of them seem to stick with non-profit or community-focused positions, which can be rewarding but usually don’t pay as well as corporate jobs. So, in terms of making decent money, it looks like there’s a mix—some are probably doing okay, while others may be feeling the financial pinch a bit more.
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 Grand Valley 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:
