What can you do with a Social Work degree from University of North Carolina at Wilmington?

First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from University of North Carolina at Wilmington 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 83%, Social Work graduates from University of North Carolina at Wilmington have a much higher likelihood (+16%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 83%
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, 60% 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 University of North Carolina at Wilmington and our analysis:


Relevance score: 73%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Medical Case Manager
Open Door Clinic of Greater Elgin (Open Door)
Sep 2014 - Sep 2016
The role of a Medical Case Manager involves skills in patient advocacy and support, which may utilize some principles from social work, but it is not directly centered on core social work qualifications.

Outpatient Therapist
Milwaukee VA Center
Sep 2016 - May 2017
The position of Outpatient Therapist directly applies social work principles and practices, requiring specific knowledge and skills gained through the Bachelor's degree in Social Work.

Victim Advocate
United States Department of Defense
Sep 2017 - May 2023
As a Victim Advocate at the Department of Defense, the role is closely tied to social work principles, requiring direct application of knowledge and skills relevant to supporting victims.

Employment Assistant Program Manager
United States Department of Defense
Jun 2017 - Present
The role of Employment Assistant Program Manager may utilize some social work skills in terms of client interaction and support, but it primarily focuses on employment-related skills rather than core social work qualifications.

Suicide Prevention Program Manager
United States Department of Defense
Aug 2022 - Present
The position of Suicide Prevention Program Manager directly involves applying social work knowledge and intervention techniques in a critical support role, making it highly relevant to the degree in Social Work.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Masters
Dominican University
2015 - 2017
ABOUT

Dedicated professional with passion for Social Work and Military Service

What jobs can you get with a Social Work degree from University of North Carolina at Wilmington?

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


When looking at the job trajectories of graduates with a degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, it’s clear that there’s a mix of roles some that are super relevant to their education and others that seem pretty unrelated. Many graduates have ventured into roles like Outpatient Therapist, Care Coordinator, and School Social Worker, where their social work education is not just beneficial but essential. These positions involve a direct application of social work principles, community engagement, and direct counseling, which aligns perfectly with what they studied. It’s encouraging to see that many are actively working in fields where they can make a positive impact, like supporting mental health or working with families in need.

However, it's also notable that there are quite a few alumni who ended up in positions that don’t really connect to social work at all. Jobs in sales, administrative roles, or even teaching positions often lack the specific social work knowledge and skills required for their degree. This might point to the reality that not every Social Work graduate is able to find a job directly in their field, or perhaps they're exploring different career paths that don’t align perfectly but still utilize some interpersonal skills. Overall, while there’s a solid number of graduates working directly in social work-related roles, it's evident that the job market can sometimes lead them astray into areas that don’t quite harness their full educational background.

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 University of North Carolina at Wilmington):

What kind of career trajectories do Social Work graduates from University of North Carolina at Wilmington have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in Social Work have generally embarked on diverse yet meaningful career paths. For many, their first job after graduation often relates directly to social work or community services. Roles such as care coordinators, mental health technicians, and juvenile court counselors seem to be common stepping stones post-graduation. This early experience in the field typically helps them build vital skills, connections, and insights into social work that pave the way for more advanced positions down the line.

As we look five to ten years post-graduation, many of these alumni have settled into more specialized roles, frequently moving between different organizations while climbing the career ladder. You can see some graduates becoming licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), program managers, or even directors in nonprofit organizations. However, there are also instances where individuals have taken a detour into unrelated fields, such as sales or educational support roles. Overall, though there are some who have veered away from traditional social work roles, a significant number remain dedicated to social services, indicating a strong commitment to the profession and its impact on their communities.

How hard is a Social Work degree from University of North Carolina at Wilmington?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, like the one at UNCW, can be pretty demanding, but it’s not insurmountable. It usually involves a good mix of classes that cover everything from human behavior to social policies, and there are practical fieldwork components where you get to apply what you learn. Some students find it easier to connect with the material since it’s often relatable and meaningful, but there’s definitely a lot of reading and writing involved, and some classes can be pretty intense. Overall, it’s about average in difficulty compared to other majors, but if you’re passionate about helping others and can handle some tough, emotional topics, you’ll likely find it rewarding as you go through the program.

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 University of North Carolina at Wilmington tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these graduates from UNC Wilmington, it seems like their salaries could vary quite a bit, but overall, it doesn't scream "big bucks." The ones finding success in fields like management and specialized counseling (especially in VA or DOD roles) might be pulling in decent money, while others starting out in more entry-level positions or non-profits might be earning less initially. Roles in education and direct social work can also be relatively lower-paying compared to management positions in the same field. So, while some might be doing okay, others might still be working their way up to those higher salaries that can come with more experience and specialized roles.

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 University of North Carolina at Wilmington). 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