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First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from Oakland 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 80%, Social Work graduates from Oakland University have a much higher likelihood (+13%) 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:
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Relevance score: 72% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2018 from Oakland University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFirst Response Court Advocate HAVEN Oakland County May 2018 - Jun 2022 Victim Advocate Oakland County Prosecutors Office Jun 2022 - Nov 2022 Spanish Teacher  Fowlerville Junior High School Nov 2022 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the career paths of those who graduated with a Social Work degree from Oakland University, it’s clear that many have found roles that align closely with their education and skills. A significant number of individuals have taken on positions such as Social Workers, Clinical Social Workers, and various roles within juvenile justice systems, schools, or mental health organizations, which strongly relate to social work principles and practices. These positions typically involve direct engagement with clients, providing support, and applying social work methodologies, making them quite relevant to their training.
However, there’s a notable percentage of graduates who veered into jobs that don’t really utilize their social work background. Roles like dishwashers, drivers, and even some management positions in non-social work contexts reflect a disconnect from the degree. While some of these jobs may require basic interpersonal skills, they don’t directly apply the specialized knowledge gained from their Social Work education. Overall, it seems that while many graduates land jobs closely related to Social Work, there’s still a portion that ends up in positions that don’t really tap into their formal training. This highlights both the versatility of the degree and the sometimes challenging job market they face in finding strictly relevant positions.
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 Oakland University):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Oakland University's Social Work program, it seems like they generally start off in roles that have a direct connection to social services and community support. For many, their first jobs after graduation often involve working in positions like social workers, case managers, or in juvenile justice, which makes sense given their academic background. A few early careers might appear to stray from this path—like roles in food service or driving—but it's clear that many graduates tend to find their way back into social work or related fields fairly quickly. Even those who have started in unrelated jobs seem to shift towards more relevant roles as they gain experience.
Five to ten years down the line, the picture looks promising for a significant number of these individuals. Many have progressed to higher positions within social work or have specialized in certain areas, such as clinical settings or advocacy roles. Some have taken on leadership roles, such as clinical social workers or directors of services, which implies that they are building a solid career in the field. While there are variations in job titles and specific roles, the overall trend shows that a good number of graduates from this program are finding fulfilling careers that leverage their social work education effectively. In summary, if you're considering a degree in social work from Oakland University, it appears to offer a solid pathway toward a meaningful career in helping others.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work can be pretty challenging, but it's definitely manageable if you're passionate about helping people. At Oakland University, like most schools, you’ll dive into both the theoretical parts of social work and practical experiences through internships or fieldwork. The coursework involves a lot of reading, writing, and understanding complex social issues, so if you’re not into that kind of stuff, it might feel a bit overwhelming. But if you’ve got a genuine interest in social justice and community service, it can also feel really rewarding. Just know that it requires dedication and a willingness to engage with a lot of real-world problems. If you're ready for that, you'll probably do just fine!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Social Work.
It looks like the Social Work graduates from Oakland University have mostly been navigating through fairly decent but varied pay scales in their careers. Many of them started in roles that might not have paid much, like dishwashers or paraprofessionals, but have gradually moved into positions in social work, management, or specialized roles that typically offer better salaries, such as a clinical social worker or program manager. Those in more senior roles or with specialized expertise, like the Director of Social Services, likely make a decent income. That said, social work generally pays less compared to some other fields, so while they seem to be finding stable jobs, it might still be a bit of a struggle financially, especially at the beginning of their careers. Ultimately, it seems like they're building solid careers, but "making decent money" can vary a lot depending on their specific roles and experiences.
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 Oakland 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:
