What can you do with a Social Work degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato?

First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from Minnesota State University, Mankato 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 74%, Social Work graduates from Minnesota State University, Mankato have a higher likelihood (+7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 74%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 50% 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:

View a random Social Work graduate from Minnesota State University, Mankato and our analysis:


Relevance score: 95%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Social Work. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Undergraduate Social Work Intern
Renville County Human Services
Jan 2011 - May 2011
The undergraduate social work internship directly relates to the skills and knowledge gained from a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, providing hands-on experience in the social work field.

Child Protection Social Worker
Renville County Human Services
May 2011 - May 2013
As a child protection social worker, this position utilizes core competencies in social work, including assessment and case management, making it directly relevant to the degree.

Care Coordinator/MSW Student Intern
Park Nicollet Health Services
Sep 2013 - May 2014
The care coordinator/MSW student intern position may involve some relevant social work knowledge, but as it is an internship role, it is not fully grounded in the core responsibilities expected of a social worker.

Therapist Associate
Greater Minnesota Family Services
Jul 2014 - May 2018
The therapist associate role involves applying social work principles and therapeutic techniques, thereby closely aligning with the knowledge and skills obtained from the Bachelor's degree in Social Work.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master's degree
University of St. Thomas
2013 - 2014
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Social Work degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the types of jobs held by people who graduated with a degree in Social Work from Minnesota State University, Mankato, it’s clear that many of them have landed positions that are quite relevant to their education. A significant number of alumni have taken on roles like child protection social workers, crisis clinicians, and various social work positions within counties and health services. These jobs require the application of vital social work skills and knowledge, such as assessment and case management, which are fundamental to the degree's curriculum. This trend emphasizes that a lot of graduates are successfully applying what they learned in school to real-world scenarios that directly involve helping individuals and communities.

However, not all jobs held by these graduates seem directly aligned with their social work training. For instance, positions like customer care specialists or front desk managers don’t typically require social work-specific skills, even if some interpersonal skills might be beneficial. Overall, while a good chunk of alumni are working in roles that are closely tied to social work, there are also noticeable instances of graduates taking on jobs that stray from their core training. This mix shows that while a social work degree provides a robust foundation for helping people, some graduates might find themselves in various fields that don’t fully utilize their specialized education.

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 Minnesota State University, Mankato):

What kind of career trajectories do Social Work graduates from Minnesota State University, Mankato have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

The career trajectories of graduates from the Social Work program at Minnesota State University, Mankato, show a strong commitment to social services, especially in the early stages of their careers. Many graduates land their first jobs as social workers or caseworkers shortly after graduation, often in settings like child protection or community services. For instance, within a year or two of graduating, you can find individuals working as caseworkers, therapists, or in various supportive roles directly connected to social work. This indicates a solid entry into the profession, aligning well with their education and training.

However, as the years go by, the paths seem to diverge a bit. While many continue to thrive in social service roles, others shift to different sectors, which may not be directly related to social work. For instance, a few graduates have transitioned into positions like school social workers, residential counselors, or even more administrative roles in healthcare facilities. Some have even moved away from social work entirely into fields like finance and customer service. So, while a good number remain committed to their roots and build successful careers in social work, there's a noticeable drift in career relevance for others, especially as they gain experience and explore new opportunities. Overall, graduates often start strong in their desired fields but may find varying levels of commitment to social work as they progress through their careers.

How hard is a Social Work degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Minnesota State University, Mankato, or really anywhere, can be a bit challenging, but it's definitely manageable if you’re dedicated. You’ll be diving into a lot of topics related to human behavior, social systems, and community issues, which can get pretty real and emotional at times. Expect some intense classes, tons of reading, and the need for good time management to keep your grades up. That said, it’s not impossibly hard; a lot of students find it rewarding and enjoy the hands-on experience that comes with it. So, if you’re passionate about helping others and ready to put in the effort, you’ll likely find that it strikes a decent balance between challenging and fulfilling!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Social Work.

Do Social Work graduates from Minnesota State University, Mankato tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Social Work grads from Minnesota State University, Mankato, it seems like they’re in a field that might not pay super high salaries, but it can be pretty rewarding in other ways. Many of them started out in caseworker or intern positions and have gradually moved into more advanced roles like therapists or coordinators, which usually come with better pay. However, based on the roles listed, it seems like some are still in entry-level or mid-tier jobs, and the latest grads are just starting out, jumping into roles that might not exactly break the bank. Overall, while they might not be raking in huge bucks compared to other fields, many are making a decent living, especially as they gain experience and move up in their careers.

What buzzwords do Social Work graduates use to describe themselves?

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 Minnesota State University, Mankato). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Social Work?

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:

College Score Count
Temple University 95 13
University of North Texas 93 12
Eastern Michigan University 93 21
Wayne State University 92 18
Northeastern Illinois University 92 22
City University of New York-Herbert H. Lehman College 91 11
Bridgewater State University 90 13
Liberty University 89 10
Ferris State University 89 12
University of Maryland Baltimore County 89 15
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 89 10
Virginia Commonwealth University 88 18
University of Arkansas 88 10
Illinois State University 87 11
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 87 12
The University of Memphis 87 10
North Carolina Central University 87 13
Aurora University 87 19
Florida State University 86 22
Colorado State University 86 14
California State University-Sacramento 86 22
University of Houston-Downtown 86 10
Saginaw Valley State University 86 12
State University of New York College at Brockport 85 11
Texas State University 83 18
James Madison University 83 11
Florida Atlantic University 83 19
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 83 10
University of North Carolina at Wilmington 83 10
Western Illinois University 82 10
Millersville University of Pennsylvania 82 12
Winona State University 82 15
Indiana University Bloomington 81 11
Western Michigan University 80 13
Oakland University 80 15
Florida International University 79 11
North Carolina State University 79 13
University of Cincinnati 79 11
East Carolina University 79 13
Morgan State University 79 10
The Ohio State University 78 16
Grand Valley State University 78 14
Metropolitan State University of Denver 78 11
University of West Florida 78 10
Georgia State University 77 10
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 77 16
University of Washington 76 10
The University of Texas at Arlington 75 29
Southern Connecticut State University 75 13
University of South Florida 74 14
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 74 14
Minnesota State University, Mankato 74 10
Saint Leo University 73 10
Cleveland State University 72 15
University of Central Florida 70 14
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 70 10
Texas A&M University-Commerce 69 11
Michigan State University 67 10
Arizona State University 64 26
Appalachian State University 64 10