If you’re ready for a change in your life, then you may be asking, “What can you do with a social work degree besides social work?”
Social workers possess knowledge and abilities that can be transferrable to other professions. You can build on your social work background as you transition into a new career.
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To help you identify your next steps, let’s look at some of the top job options for people with experience in social work.
What Can You Do with a Social Work Degree Besides Social Work?
While being a social worker is often rewarding, you may be ready to do something new with your life. But, you don’t have to start from scratch with an entirely different career.
Instead, you might prefer to build on the things you have learned from social work as you get ready to take your next step. Fortunately, as a social worker, you already possess a variety of invaluable skills.
In a social work educational program, you likely learned about:
- Advocacy techniques
- Communication
- Ethical leadership
- Research
- Understanding people
Since finishing school, you’ve likely developed additional skills on the job. Whether you currently work in a hospital, a school, a therapy office, or a community agency, many social work roles require you to be organized and detail oriented.
Many social workers are also creative problem-solvers and critical thinkers. In addition, you may have experience in working with technology for records management. Any of these skills could be useful as you make a career change from social work.
For your next position, you might consider a business management role or pursue nonprofit leadership. You could even look into the legal field.
Other fields to consider include:
- Community advocacy
- Sales
- Human resources
- Counseling
- Teaching
- Healthcare management
Also, keep in mind that social work is a diverse field, and it’s in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 7% growth rate for social workers over the next ten years. Instead of leaving social work entirely, you might prefer to transition into another role within this field.
5 Alternative Careers for Social Workers
If you are considering a career change, you may be asking yourself, “What can I do with an MSW besides social work?” Your social work experience could help you branch into a new field, especially if you’re willing to learn new things or step out of your comfort zone.
Here are some alternative careers for social workers.
1. Career Counselor
As a social worker adept at connecting people with resources, you embody the answer to “Can you be a counselor with a social work degree?” Using these skills, you can assist individuals in identifying suitable careers.
As a career counselor, you could analyze people’s strengths and interests, suggest career options, and guide them toward the next steps for that job.
2. Health Educator
Another way that you can make a difference for the people in your community is by becoming a health educator who provides information and guidance on healthy living.
You might lead classes or develop programs. Health educators often work for health departments, hospital systems, and community organizations.
3. Mediator
Your communication skills and your ability to work well with people of diverse backgrounds could help you succeed as a mediator. That job involves settling differences between people or groups.
Your role could involve facilitating conversations between the parties and guiding them toward a compromise. Mediators often work for government agencies.
4. Social and Community Service Manager
If you’re interested in non clinical social work jobs, then you might consider social service management.
Leading an organization that provides community services could involve supervising staff, implementing programs, communicating with stakeholders, and overseeing budgets. This path may also lead you to consider the differences in social work vs. case manager responsibilities.
5. High School Teacher
Teaching teenagers is another career through which you can help people fulfill their potential. Effective secondary educators help students prepare for college and careers, navigate relationships, and juggle various responsibilities.
This job typically requires state licensure, and you may also be required to complete a degree program in preparation.
Transferable Skills in Social Work
The skills you have gained through your social work education and career can help you in other jobs as well. Common transferable skills in social work include:
- Active listening. People in any setting want to be heard, and your social work background may have prepared you well for that.
- Attention to detail. Social workers often fill out paperwork and input data, tasks that require paying close attention to getting every detail right.
- Clear communication. As a social work student, you likely learned how to present information to clients in clear and compelling ways, and many other jobs require that same skill.
- Organization. Keeping case files orderly and juggling a full schedule of clients may have taught you to approach your work in an organized fashion.
While exploring alternative social work degree jobs, it’s helpful to consider your skills and strengths. As you do so, you may start to develop a clearer picture of the career path that is right for you.
Career Opportunities and Salaries Beyond Social Work
Non-traditional jobs for social workers span a variety of sectors, including education, business, law, and sales. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for jobs in community and social service is $49,380.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Human Resources Managers | $130,000 |
| Sociologists | $98,590 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,240 |
| Postsecondary Social Work Teachers | $66,510 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $64,030 |
| High School Teachers | $62,360 |
| School and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,140 |
| Health Education Specialists | $59,990 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $59,200 |
| Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents | $52,030 |
Switching careers from social work may require some additional education. To become a real estate agent, for example, you might be required to take a few classes. Becoming a high school teacher would also require state licensure.
Tips for Career Growth and Advancement in Social Work
After a number of years of working in social work, you might feel ready to move into a new career. While that’s a viable option, you might also want to consider how you can take the next step in your current line of work. Perhaps moving up in the world of social work will satisfy your desire for a change.
According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), it can be beneficial to get a feel for the many different aspects of the social work field. Then, the more experience you gain in various areas, the more prepared you’ll be for diverse roles—one of which might be just right for you.
The NASW provides solid advice for professionals with an eye on growth and advancement. Social worker Antonio Ruberto says, “Work to choose an opportunity that fits you.” You’re less likely to experience burnout if you pursue a social work role that aligns with your preferences.
Another piece of advice is to join industry organizations, such as NASW, and use your membership for networking and professional development. Social worker Vimmi Surti explains, “Gaining knowledge by interaction is one of the most crucial benefits I have found so far.”
Additional Education and Training in Social Work
Earning a masters degree or professional certification could enhance your career prospects in your chosen field.
According to Forbes, an on campus or online bachelor’s in social work can be a stepping stone to various roles in a diverse range of fields, but transitioning into certain career paths can require further training or qualifications. For instance, many types of social work positions, especially clinical ones, require licensure. Fortunately, there are numerous programs and resources available for social work graduates who are seeking additional qualifications.
Whether you choose to pursue a specialized certification or an advanced degree, these opportunities are designed to align with your unique skills and aspirations.
What Is Social Work?
Social work is a line of work that deals with helping people meet their needs and improve their lives. Social workers typically support vulnerable populations, such as people with disabilities, health conditions, or addictions. Many social workers focus on specific demographics, such as children or the elderly.
According to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), there are three different levels of social work. On the micro level, social workers assist individuals. On the mezzo level, they focus on groups and small communities of people. There’s also macro social work, which involves public policy and societal change.
How Much Money Can You Make with a Social Work Degree?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the median annual salary for a social worker is $55,350. Commonly, the salaries for this job range from $36,600 to $87,300.
Social and community service managers often make between $46,770 and $123,320. Local government agencies pay some of the highest wages for this position. Those employers offer a median annual salary of $96,050. Health education specialists who work for hospitals have a median salary of $77,740. The median wage for health educators in government agencies is $61,650.
Social work professors make a median annual salary of $66,510. Educators at four-year schools usually earn more than those at community colleges.
Navigating Alternative Social Work Career Options
Perhaps you thought you would be a social worker forever, but now you are ready to make a change. If so, one of these unexpected social work jobs may have caught your eye. Even if you are still weighing your options, it can be encouraging to know that social work skills are relevant for many different careers.
Some of those jobs will require additional training. In that case, it may be time to go back to school for either a few classes or a full graduate degree. Earning your qualifications from an accredited university will allow you to receive the best preparation for your next career.
You could start exploring available program options today!
