Occupational Possibilities
Through concern with developing human potential, promoting individual well-being, and bringing about a more just and humane society, social welfare majors develop skills applicable to a wide range of occupations. Some occupations, such as job counselor, may require specialized skills or additional training. Additional graduate study is generally required for listings marked with a *.
Health and Human Services - *Public health educator
- Advocate (e.g. children, ethnic group members, aging)
- *Genetic counselor
- *Physician
- *Transplant registry database manager
- Job counselor
- *Health-service administrator
- Drug/alcohol abuse counselor
- Crisis center director
- Clergy
- *Rehabilitation specialist
- Geriatric care specialist
- Adoption service counselor
- Foster parent
| Business and Industry - Journalist
- *Industrial psychologist
- Employment recruiter
- Loan officer/bank employee
- *Union legal counsel
- Environmental impact assessment researcher
- Executive search consultant
- Human resources manager
- Management consultant
- Marketing manager
- Advertising account executive
- Art director
- Salesperson
- Hotel manager
|
Government and Public Sector - Friend of the Court caseworker
- *Bureau of Indian Affairs researcher
- Probation officer
- Public interest group director
- Grants coordinator
- *Attorney
- Congressional committee staff director
- *Coroner/medical examiner
- Head Start program director
- State/federal government policy analyst
- *Public administrator
- Urban planner
- Correctional center/program counselor
| Education and Research - *Guidance counselor
- Bilingual/bicultural program specialist
- Vocational teacher (of adults)
- *Academic advisor/counselor
- Teacher of English as a second language (ESL)
- Demographer
- Editor
- *College administrator
- *Compensation analyst
- Collections manager
- Foundation program manager
- Marketing researcher
- Media planner
- Corporate trainer
- *Student services director
- Affirmative action representative
- School social worker
|
Skills and Abilities
Students of social work develop general and technical skills and abilities applicable to diverse occupational paths. While many continue education in graduate, medical, or law school, many other possibilities exist. The representative skills below may be used in a variety of careers. For example, cross-cultural observational skills may be equally useful for a foundation project manager, a corporate recruiter, and a freelance journalist.
Communication - Summarizing results
- Writing clearly
- Presenting/defending a position
- Communicating across cultures/languages
- Understanding societal development
| Analysis - Gathering and organizing data
- Examining data
- Conducting field studies
- Applying non-intrusive methods
- Reaching new conclusions through comparative study
- Utilizing statistical applications
|
Project Development - Planning long-term projects
- Recruiting/coordinating research subjects
- Writing grant proposals
- Evaluating
- Maintaining records
- Developing project designs
| Interpersonal Relations - Interviewing
- Understanding group dynamics
- Observing human interactions
- Recognizing cultural differences/similarities
- Surveying and sampling
- Identifying value systems
|
Career Planning and Resources
Internships
Social Service, Social Work, and Mental Health
Local and National Job Listings
Licensure Information
Professional Associations
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For More Information
...about careers, graduate and professional schools, internships, professional associations, or job descriptions contact:
University Career Center
110 Burge Union
(785) 864-3624
For information about majors and concentrations in social work:
School of Social Welfare
212 Twente Hall
(785) 864-4720
Undergraduate Program
302 Twente Hall
(785) 864-4720
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