First, some facts. Of the Social Work graduates from Winona State 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 82%, Social Work graduates from Winona State University have a much higher likelihood (+15%) 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, 66% 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: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from Winona State University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSocial Services InternSAUER HEALTH CARE Jan 2021 - Jan 2021 Social Services Intern SAUER HEALTH CARE Jan 2021 - Jan 2021 Social Services Intern SAUER HEALTH CARE Jan 2021 - Jul 2021 Team Lead - Behavioral Health and CCS TREMPEALEAU COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES Jul 2021 - Aug 2023 Clinical Social Work Intern Family & Children's Center May 2023 - Dec 2023 School Based Social Worker GALE ETTRICK TREMPEALEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT Aug 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Social Work - MSWSaint Mary's University of Minnesota 2023 - 2023 ABOUTHello! My name is [NAME REMOVED] Swenson Im currently a School Based Social Worker at the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau School District. I coordinate mental health services for a specific high needs caseload from elementary school ages through high school ages. In addition, I provide short term counseling, behavior and mental health support, professional development, strategic planning, and more within the district. I graduated from Winona State in May of 2021 with my Bachelors Degree in Social Work. After a few years of work experience with Trempealeau County in Youth Justice, Child Protection, and Mental Health I pursued my Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work. I earned my MSW in December of 2023, and recently passed my APSW exam. I am actively seeking more opportunities for learning and growth within this field! |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After looking through the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from Winona State University with a degree in Social Work, it’s clear that many of them have landed solid jobs in fields closely related to social work. A lot of these roles include School Social Workers, Clinical Social Workers, and various positions where they advocate for mental health, such as Counselors or Behavioral Health Specialists. These jobs seem to directly utilize the knowledge and skills gained from their social work studies, allowing them to make real, positive impacts in their communities. It’s awesome to see that many graduates are out there actively helping individuals and families navigate their challenges, while also working in supportive environments within schools, healthcare, and social services.
However, not every job listed aligns directly with their social work education. Some alumni took roles that, while they may involve some skills relevant to social dynamics or interpersonal communication, aren't centered on social work principles. For example, jobs in sales or customer service may not fully tap into the core competencies of social work. In summary, though there's a good chunk of graduates who found their way into meaningful, directly related roles, a few ended up in positions that don’t leverage their degree as much. Overall, it looks like those who pursued jobs in realms like healthcare or education are pretty much on track with what they studied, while a handful might be using their skills in more unconventional ways.
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 Winona State University):
Based on the profiles of graduates from Winona State University who studied Social Work, it looks like a good number of them have followed a career path that's quite relevant to their degree. Right after graduating, many seem to kick off their careers with internships or entry-level positions in environments like schools, community organizations, and health services. For instance, multiple graduates held roles as social workers in schools or community mental health settings within just a couple of years after finishing their degree, which is a promising sign that they’re finding work directly connected to their field.
As time goes on, say around 5 to 10 years after graduation, these individuals appear to progress into more established roles within the social work domain. We see many have taken on positions such as licensed social workers, mental health practitioners, and even directors in organizations, showcasing a clear trajectory of professional growth and specialization. While there are some cases where graduates pivot away from direct social work roles—like becoming realtors—most alumni seem to maintain a strong connection to the field they trained in, indicating that the education they received is translating into relevant, meaningful careers. Overall, it looks like a solid pathway for those entering the social work profession from Winona State University.
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work can be a mix of challenging and rewarding, and that’s pretty much the vibe at Winona State University too. You'll definitely face some tough classes, especially when it comes to understanding theories, ethics, and policy, plus there’s a field placement component that’s like real-world experience, which can be a bit much. But if you're passionate about helping people and are willing to put in the effort, it can feel more manageable. It's not super easy, but it’s also not the hardest degree out there—just be ready to put in some time and heart into your studies!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Social Work.
Based on the job trajectories of these Winona State University graduates, it seems like they're doing fairly well, but not all of them are raking in the big bucks. Most of them have jobs in social work or related fields, which are generally noble and rewarding but often come with lower salaries compared to corporate jobs. Positions like clinical social workers, school social workers, and counselors typically start modest and can grow over time, especially with experience or advanced roles like directors. There are a few who have transitioned into positions with better pay, like the director of social services, or moved away from social work entirely, like the realtors, which might indicate they’re aiming for higher earnings. Overall, while some are on solid financial ground, many seem to be just getting by, so it's a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money.
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 Winona State 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: