First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from The University of Memphis 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? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 87%, Social Work graduates from The University of Memphis have a much higher likelihood (+20%) 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, only 30% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Social Work graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from The University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Social Work. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONDomestic Violence Intern at Shelby County Crime Victims & Rape Crisis CenterShelby County Gover Jan 2019 - May 2019 Clinical Intern, Employee Assistance Network Metropolitan Family Services Aug 2019 - Apr 2020 Victim Advocate, Knox County Court YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley Dec 2020 - Jul 2021 Justice for Families Program Coordinator YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley Jul 2021 - Jan 2022 School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison Allied Behavioral Health Solutions Jan 2022 - May 2023 Outpatient Clinical Therapist Allied Behavioral Health Solutions May 2023 - Oct 2023 Knox County School-Based Therapist Helen Ross McNabb Center Oct 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's degreeLoyola University Chicago 2019 - 2020 ABOUTI am a licensed master social worker currently working in community mental health in a school-based setting. I have completed my clinical supervision hours and have been approved to sit for the LCSW exam this summer. I am focusing my future practice specifically on working with adolescents, adults, and families impacted by medical trauma, fertility issues, pre-and postpartum mental health issues, and coping with chronic illness. These issues are seriously lacking understanding and treatment in the mental health space currently . It is my mission and passion to provide services to individuals impacted by medical issues and trauma, and to also educate medical and mental health professionals on the impact medical trauma has on individuals and families. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From analyzing the job profiles of graduates with a Social Work degree from The University of Memphis, it's clear that the most common types of jobs are in direct service roles, especially in mental health, crisis intervention, family support, and community resources. Positions such as Social Worker, Mental Health Specialist, and various roles at organizations like Health Advocate and Youth Villages showcase a strong alignment with the core competencies of social work, focusing on advocacy, support, and counseling within the community. Internships and entry-level positions also tend to mirror this trend, often serving as stepping stones into more involved social work roles.
However, not every job listed is directly relevant to social work. Some roles, like Customer Service Representative or positions focused on educational support without a social work context (like teaching English as a second language), may not fully utilize the skills or training associated with a social work degree. Overall, while many graduates have successfully pursued careers closely related to social work, there are instances where individuals found themselves in positions that, while requiring some interpersonal skills, did not draw heavily from their specialized training. So, in a nutshell, if you’re interested in pursuing social work, there are definitely plenty of related career options out there, but you might run into a few that don’t utilize all that good stuff you learned in school!
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 The University of Memphis):
Graduates from The University of Memphis with a degree in Social Work seem to be following a pretty solid career pathway over the years, starting with various entry-level roles that are relevant to the field. For many of them, the first jobs after graduation often involve internships or assistant roles, like Program Assistants or Family Advocates, which build on their practical experience while allowing them to gain valuable insights into the social work sector. This early stage often sets the tone for their future careers, as many go on to take on more specialized roles like Mental Health Specialists or Community Information Specialists within a few years.
Looking further down the line, like 5 to 10 years after graduation, a lot of these graduates have carved out successful careers in roles that directly relate to social work. Positions as crisis counselors, health educators, or even outpatient clinical therapists highlight a strong commitment to the field. While there are some who might venture into related areas, like teaching or customer service, the majority seem to stay connected to social work in some capacity. Overall, it appears that a degree from The University of Memphis is opening doors for graduates, leading many to fulfilling careers that reflect their training and passion for helping others.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at The University of Memphis, like most social work programs, strikes a balance between being challenging and rewarding. You'll be diving into a mix of theoretical concepts and practical applications, which can mean quite a bit of reading, writing, and some intense discussions. But it’s also really hands-on, so if you enjoy working with people and making a difference, it feels worthwhile. Overall, I’d say it’s about average in terms of difficulty—definitely requires commitment and effort, but it's not insurmountable if you're passionate and stay organized. So, if you're ready to put in the work, you’ll likely find it 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 the job history of these Social Work grads from The University of Memphis, it seems like most of them haven’t really hit the jackpot in terms of salary, which is pretty common in this field. A lot of their early roles are entry-level positions or internships that likely didn’t pay much, and even some of the later jobs aren’t known for high salaries—like working as a social worker or a counselor. They may be doing important work and making a difference in their communities, but it’s a struggle when it comes to financial rewards in social work. So, if you're thinking about this career path, just know that while it's super rewarding in other ways, it might not always stack up in terms of big bucks.
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 The University of Memphis). 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: