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First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from Western Michigan 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 80%, Social Work graduates from Western Michigan 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, 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: 82% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONClinical Therapy Intern Christ Child House Sep 2012 - Apr 2013 Intake and Crisis Triage Venture Behavioral Health Jun 2013 - Dec 2013 Care Manager II Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health Jan 2014 - Jan 2016 Children's Services Specialist/Foster Care Worker Department of Health & Human Services, Victoria Feb 2016 - Mar 2019 Utilization Management  Skywood Recovery Mar 2019 - Mar 2022 Utilization Management Supervisor Skywood Recovery Mar 2022 - May 2023 Director of Quality & Utilization Management Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network May 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's degreeWayne State University 2012 - 2013 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the analysis of various LinkedIn profiles, it's clear that many graduates from Western Michigan University with a degree in Social Work tend to find jobs that are strongly connected to their field. The most common roles they occupy include Clinical Social Workers, Therapists, Case Managers, and Coordinators in various social services. These positions generally require a solid application of social work principles, such as counseling, crisis intervention, and support for at-risk populations, indicating a robust alignment with their educational background.
While some graduates do venture into roles that are less directly related to social work, such as academic positions or more administrative roles, the majority of their roles directly utilize the skills and knowledge acquired during their studies. For instance, positions like Substance Abuse Counselor, Social Worker in health services, and Family Support roles are all highly relevant and beneficial in applying social work techniques and theories. Overall, it looks like most alumni are successfully leveraging their degrees in fields that resonate well with social work, contributing positively to their communities.
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 Western Michigan University):
Graduates of the Social Work program at Western Michigan University tend to follow a career path deeply entrenched in the social services field, especially shortly after graduation. Many start off in roles such as case managers or counselors, often working in community organizations or mental health agencies. The first jobs generally focus on direct service positions, allowing new graduates to gain hands-on experience in helping individuals and families facing various challenges. It’s common for these grads to take positions related to children and family services, mental health care, or education support, as seen with roles like case managers, therapists, and coordinators.
As these graduates progress five to ten years into their careers, they often move into more specialized or managerial roles. For instance, many have landed positions as clinical social workers, directors of services, or even practice owners in private therapy practices. Some have ventured into academia or taken on leadership roles in larger organizations, reflecting a growth in their professional responsibilities and expertise. Overall, it seems that graduates from this program are successfully leveraging their degrees to establish careers that are not only fulfilling but closely related to their studies in social work, which is pretty encouraging! While there are a few instances where graduates have branched out into unrelated fields, the majority remain dedicated to social services, highlighting the value of their education and the demand for social workers in various capacities.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Western Michigan University, or really anywhere, tends to be a mix of challenging and rewarding. It's not the easiest degree out there because you’ll dive deep into topics like human behavior, social justice, and community resources, which can get pretty intense. You'll also need to complete internship hours where you tackle real-world scenarios, which can be a lot of work. That said, if you’re passionate about helping people and enjoy engaging with diverse communities, it can be manageable and even fun! So, while it might feel a bit tougher than some other degrees, the experience and knowledge you gain make it worthwhile for those who are really into it.
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 histories of these Western Michigan University social work grads, it seems like they're on a pretty solid career path, but when it comes to making decent money, it’s a mixed bag. Many have worked their way into roles like therapists and clinical social workers, which usually pay pretty well over time, especially if they own their practice like the first person mentioned. However, some have positions that tend to pay less, like case managers and coordinators, which is pretty common in the field, particularly early on. Overall, while some of them might be making a decent living now, others might need to put in a couple more years or seek advanced roles to really boost their earnings. Social work can be rewarding in many ways, but it often doesn't come with the highest salaries, especially when starting out.
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 Western Michigan 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:
