First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from Northeastern Illinois 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 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 92%, Social Work graduates from Northeastern Illinois University have a substantially higher likelihood (+25%) 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, 72% 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: 91%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from Northeastern Illinois University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONRecovery support specialistTrilogy Behavioral Healthcare Feb 2019 - May 2020 Beacon recovery specialist cordinator Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare Oct 2019 - May 2020 Residential Manager Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare May 2020 - Dec 2020 Case Manager Thresholds May 2021 - Oct 2022 Care Coordination Team Leader Trilogy Oct 2022 - Feb 2023 Linkage and Care Coordination TL Trilogy Feb 2023 - Apr 2024 Medical Social Worker Hope Hospice Jul 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's degreeNortheastern Illinois University 2020 - 2021 ABOUTI am passionate about providing a solution to problems that directly affect people's mental health and well-being. I will achieve this by working directly with vulnerable populations and advocating in front line of service. I am currently working towards my LCSW |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the analysis, it's pretty clear that a lot of folks who graduated with a degree in Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University have found themselves in roles that are pretty relevant to the field. The most common jobs include School Social Workers, Case Managers, and various roles within healthcare settings like Medical Social Workers and Social Services Coordinators. These jobs typically involve working directly with individuals and communities, applying social work principles and practices to support the social and emotional well-being of clients. It’s great to see a strong connection between their education and their job roles, with many positions allowing them to use the skills they learned in school to make a real impact.
On the flip side, some graduates have taken roles that aren't as directly tied to social work. We see positions like Project Analysts or Marketing Managers that, while they may utilize some soft skills associated with social work, do not primarily rely on the knowledge gained from a social work degree. Overall, though, many of these jobs reflect a clear relevance to social work, highlighting that graduates are largely utilizing their education in practical ways. This connection is essential for driving positive social change and serving diverse populations effectively, which is what social work is all about!
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 Northeastern Illinois University):
Graduates from the Social Work program at Northeastern Illinois University tend to have a pretty solid start in their careers after they leave college. Many of them jump into jobs directly related to social work or social services, such as case managers, school social workers, and various roles in health systems. For example, in the first few years after graduation, common positions include case managers at various organizations and social workers at hospitals and schools. It looks like these early roles help them gain the hands-on experience that's so crucial in the field. Some even land internships that lead to full-time positions shortly after graduating, which suggests that there's a strong pathway from education to employment in relevant areas.
Fast forward five to ten years down the line, and many of these professionals have progressed into more senior roles. For instance, you’ll find them advancing to managerial positions, such as social work managers or directors of social services. Others have taken on leadership roles in non-profits or community-based organizations. However, it's not all a straight path; some graduates do seem to drift into unrelated fields, like marketing or digital management, which can happen when engaging job opportunities arise. Overall, while there are definitely some diversions from traditional social work careers, the majority appear to be doing well and making strides in roles that reflect their training and commitment to social work. It's a solid mix of staying true to the field while also exploring different avenues of professional growth.
The Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University is pretty manageable, especially compared to some of the more intense majors out there. It has a solid mix of coursework that includes both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, which can be super engaging if you’re interested in helping others and understanding social issues. You’ll definitely have to put in the work with assignments, readings, and field placements, but if you stay organized and really connect with the content, it shouldn't be overwhelmingly difficult. Overall, I'd say it’s about average in terms of challenge, and as long as you’re passionate about the subject, it can be a rewarding journey!
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 let’s break this down. A lot of the social work grads from Northeastern Illinois University have been bouncing around different roles in social services, which is pretty common in the field. While some positions, like school social workers or medical social workers, can pay decently (maybe in the $40,000 to $60,000 range or more with experience), a lot of early-career roles like case managers or internships might start off on the lower end, probably around $30,000 to $40,000. Plus, they're often juggling multiple roles early on, which can make it tricky to climb up the pay ladder quickly. Overall, it seems like they’re doing important work, but whether they’re making "decent money" really depends on their specific jobs and how far along they are in their careers. So, it’s kind of a mixed bag; some probably do alright, while others might be just getting by.
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 Northeastern Illinois 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: