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First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from Virginia Commonwealth 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 18 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 88%, Social Work graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University have a substantially higher likelihood (+21%) 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, 61% 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: 99% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor in Social Work. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONVirginia Fair Housing Training Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Jan 2019 - Jan 2019 Trauma Informed Care Workshop  Virginia Commonwealth University Mar 2019 - Mar 2019 Disaster Relief Workshop Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Mar 2019 - Mar 2019 Leadership Fellows Program Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated May 2019 - May 2019 Customer Intake/Service Representative FEMA Jul 2020 - Mar 2021 EL Data Assistant Winchester Public Schools Oct 2019 - Nov 2019 Substitute Teacher Winchester Public Schools Oct 2019 - Jul 2021 SOP Student Support Specialist Lynchburg Regional JDC Educational Program - Lynchburg City Schools Aug 2021 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Public Administration - MPALiberty University 2019 - 2020 ABOUTCurrent Student Support Specialist for Turning Point Academy located within the Lynchburg Regional Juvenile Detention Center as apart of the State Operated Educational Program and followed by the Lynchburg City Schools academic calendar. With combined education and experience I present an exemplary track record of 5 years committed to public service and the social work profession while delivering high effective results. Recently obtained a Master of Public Administration Degree (MPA) at Liberty University in November 2020. I hold specialized knowledge from field experiences in community action plans, collecting documentation & data to determine eligibility for federally funded grant services, effectively performing written reports and case notes, and providing on-call crisis response & advising for students and young adults. My performance has been evaluated to show superior effectiveness in customer service, office & school settings to show I have the ability to lead, problems solve, collaborate with counterparts, and adhere to guidance, policy and regulations. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
People who graduated with a degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University tend to land a variety of jobs that, for the most part, align quite well with their educational background. Many have positions that directly apply the skills and knowledge they've learned, such as Social Workers, Case Managers, and Mental Health Counselors. These roles typically involve working with individuals and families, helping them navigate challenges, providing support, and advocating for their needs, which is right at the heart of what social work is all about. Jobs like Medical Social Workers and Foster Family Recruiters show a clear connection, serving populations that require compassion, intervention, and assistance—exactly what social work training provides.
However, not all job titles are as relevant. Some graduates have taken on roles that only slightly tie back to their degree, like Personal Care Attendants or even Beauty Advisors, where the core emphasis is more on customer service than on social work practices. While these jobs may involve some interpersonal skills, they don’t fully utilize the social work expertise that these graduates have developed. Overall, though, it's impressive to see a significant number of these professionals in positions that honor and utilize their social work education, making a real difference in their communities and for the individuals they serve.
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 Virginia Commonwealth University):
It looks like graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University's Social Work program tend to have pretty solid career trajectories that align well with their degrees. For many, their first job out of college often involves direct social work roles, such as social workers, case managers, or support coordinators. They seem to land positions that allow them to work closely with individuals, families, or specific populations in need, like refugees or those dealing with mental health issues. This hands-on experience early on is crucial and prepares them for future responsibilities in their chosen fields.
As they progress five to ten years down the line, many of these professionals continue to advance in mental health, counseling, or educational settings, taking on roles like mental health clinicians, school social workers, or program supervisors. There's a noticeable trend towards specialization in areas like medical social work, behavioral health, or even education, meaning that a lot of these graduates find their niches and stick with them. It really seems like a significant number of alumni are building meaningful careers in social work, contributing positively to their communities, which is awesome to see!
The Bachelor degree in Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University, like many Social Work programs, strikes a pretty decent balance between challenging and manageable. You’ll dive into some intense topics like psychology, sociology, and ethics, which can definitely keep you on your toes. Plus, there’s often a hands-on component with fieldwork that adds another layer of work. It's not the easiest degree out there, but if you’re passionate about helping people and can handle a mix of theory and practical application, you'll likely find it rewarding. Overall, it’s a bit above average in difficulty, but so worth it if you’re really into the subject matter!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Social Work.
Alright, so looking at the job paths of these Social Work graduates from VCU, it seems like they're mostly starting in pretty typical entry-level positions and working their way up, which is good, but the pay in social work isn't usually super high. For example, some folks are still in their first roles years later, like the person at First Baptist Church since 2012, which might mean they're not raking in a ton. Others have switched jobs a lot, trying out different positions, but many of those, like being a personal care attendant or a beauty advisor, often don't pay great either, especially since some switched to other roles that might not offer much more. There are some who have landed in a bit more stable jobs like school social workers or clinical roles which usually do pay better, but overall, it looks like they might be comfortable, but definitely not living large. Social work is rewarding in many ways, but financially? It can be a bit challenging.
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 Virginia Commonwealth 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:
