First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from University of West Florida 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 78%, Social Work graduates from University of West Florida have a much higher likelihood (+11%) 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, 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:
Relevance score: 48%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in Social Work. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONInternMobile County DHR May 2016 - Aug 2016 Behavior Technician The Pavilion May 2017 - Nov 2017 Quality Control Technician MIDSOUTH PAVING INC Jan 2018 - Jan 2019 Campus Security Officer Escambia County Schools Jul 2019 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After checking out a bunch of LinkedIn profiles from folks who studied Social Work at the University of West Florida, it seems like a lot of them have gone into positions that are pretty closely related to their degree. Many of the graduates have taken on roles like Child Protective Investigators, Social Workers, and Substance Abuse Counselors. These jobs typically require the skills and knowledge that come from a Social Work program, like understanding social systems, providing support, and having a solid grasp of human behavior. For example, being a Clinical Social Worker or a Medical Social Worker means they're diving deep into the core of what social work is all about, directly applying what they've learned to help people in various settings.
However, not every job on the list is a perfect fit for someone with a Social Work degree. Some graduates ended up in roles like Customer Success Specialists or Administrative Assistants, which don’t really utilize their social work training in any meaningful way. Sure, these jobs might have some elements of interpersonal interaction, but they lack the in-depth application of social work principles. So, while many graduates are definitely working in areas that align well with their education, a few have ventured into positions that stray pretty far from the heart of social work. Overall though, it looks like most have managed to keep it relevant to the field, which is great news for anyone looking into a career in social work!
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 West Florida):
Looking at the career paths of Social Work graduates from the University of West Florida, it's pretty clear that many of them have kicked off their careers in roles directly related to social services and community support. For those who graduated in the earlier years, like 2011 and 2015, their first jobs often included internships and starting positions with organizations like the Florida Department of Children and Families and local medical centers. These initial jobs really helped pave the way for more stable positions in social work, like clinical roles or management positions within social service agencies as they gained experience. You can see a good trend of those who started off with those internships transitioning into solid roles in the field, such as clinical social workers or program coordinators. It seems like they are genuinely utilizing their degrees in meaningful ways.
Fast forward five to ten years after graduating, many of these alumni have advanced into supervisory or specialized positions. For instance, graduates from 2016 have found themselves in supervisory roles or as clinical social workers, indicating a significant progression in responsibility and impact in their communities. Others even took more entrepreneurial routes, like starting their own service companies. However, it’s worth noting that not all graduates are directly in social work—some have explored adjacent fields or taken roles that don't fully align with their education, which can happen for various reasons, like job availability or personal interests. On the whole, though, it looks like a good number of these graduates are making notable contributions to the social work field—definitely something to think about if you’re considering this type of career!
Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, whether at the University of West Florida or elsewhere, can be a pretty challenging but also rewarding experience. The coursework usually covers a lot of ground, including psychology, sociology, and human behavior, so there’s definitely a fair amount of reading and writing involved. Some students find it easier than other degrees because of the hands-on nature of the work and the supportive environment often found in social work programs. However, it can get intense with fieldwork and internships, where you’ll really have to apply what you learn in real-life situations. So, in a nutshell, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you’re passionate about helping others, it can be an enriching experience that makes the hard work feel worthwhile.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Social Work.
Looking at these Social Work graduates from the University of West Florida, it seems like they’ve had a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some of them started off with internships and lower-paying roles, which is pretty typical in the social work field, but those who stuck around in the industry did climb a bit on the ladder—like the one who became a CEO or the Clinical Social Worker who took on a steady position. Still, many who are in ongoing roles are likely not raking in big bucks, especially when you consider the common salary range for social workers. It’s definitely a field more about passion than paycheck, so while some are doing alright, they probably aren’t living lavishly.
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 West Florida). 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: