What Can You Do With a Social Work Degree Besides Social Work?

A social work degree prepares you to work with people struggling with:

• disabilities
• mental health issues
• substance abuse
• homelessness
• other social issues

But what if you don't want to work as a case manager or social worker? Are there other social work careers you could pursue? Those with social work degrees can work in many fields, such as:

• healthcare
• criminal justice
• education
• human services
• other social services

If you want to keep your career options open, you can pursue a social work job in one of these related fields. Keep reading to find out more.

Top 10 Careers With a Social Work Degree

Below, look at careers you can pursue with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Master of Social Work (MSW). These careers lie outside the social work sphere but allow you to provide community outreach and advocacy services. These are two facets of social work degrees.

1. Human Resources Specialist

Human resource specialists focus on the well-being of employees within various companies and organizations. They ensure those who work for the company have their needs met and are satisfied with their job.

A bachelor's degree in social work can benefit this career path, as it teaches essential skills in working with people from all walks of life. These skills help human resource specialists cater to the needs of all employees.

2. Guidance Counselor

Guidance counselors typically work in schools. Their job is similar to a school social worker's because they work with students to identify and address their needs. However, guidance counselors have a unique specialization: they work primarily with high school students to provide guidance relative to college, career, and other major life decisions.

A social work program prepares students for this career by giving them a deep understanding of family services and human behaviors and motivations. Social work graduates are better equipped to meet students' needs and provide guidance.

3. Policy Analyst

A policy analyst works on shaping public policies. They perform various duties related to researching, revising, and advocating for policies. They commonly work for government agencies but may work in the private sector. Policy analysts are required to have a master's in social work. MSW programs help students learn about the various physical, mental, and social issues facing different groups of people. This knowledge informs their actions and decisions relating to public policies.

4. Grant Writer

A grant writer may work on a freelance basis or for an organization. Grant writers are professionals who write grant applications for organizations or individual clients. A social work degree helps students learn to advocate for those facing various societal disadvantages. A grant writer can use these skills to write persuasively, making a case for the organization or client they work for.

5. Health Educator

Health educators teach people in communities about wellness strategies, helping them develop healthy habits and prioritize their health. Health educators commonly work in the public health sector and may also work for:

• nonprofit organizations
• government agencies
• hospitals
• private practices
• outpatient facilities
• educational institutions

Majoring in social work will help health educators in several ways. In social work programs, they will learn about the types of people they will be working with, their mental and physical needs, and the health services provided.

6. Family Mediator

A family mediator is an unbiased third party who helps families work through conflict. Though they are not therapists, their presence during discussions and the questions they ask can be very effective in helping family members come to better terms.

Social work is a great major for aspiring family mediators because it teaches about the various conditions, addictions, disabilities, and other issues that can cause tension in families. A social work degree will also help you develop interpersonal skills. These skills are essential for this job.

7. Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee HR departments for companies and organizations. They manage teams of human resources personnel, ensuring the company meets employees' needs.

A degree in social work can help give you a strong understanding of how to address employees' needs or any issues that come up; that said, obtaining a double major or advanced degree in human resources can also be helpful.

8. Career Coach

A career coach helps people find their ideal career, identify their career goals, and take the steps necessary to succeed. It's an excellent career path for those who enjoy working with people to help them get to a better place.

Career coaches can benefit from social work degrees if they hope to work with socially disadvantaged individuals such as older adults, those with disabilities or mental illnesses, and those recovering from addictions.

9. Program Coordinator

A program coordinator, also known as a program specialist, organizes activities or programs. They help develop social service programs, research and implement existing programs, and create budgets to ensure their programs receive funding.

A degree in social work can help inform the kinds of programs that would benefit organizations or groups of people. Social work degrees can also help students develop crucial interpersonal and organizational skills necessary for the role.

10. Nonprofit Administrator

A nonprofit administrator is a business administrator who works for a nonprofit organization. This professional is responsible for various administrative duties such as:

• creating budgets
• following laws and regulations
• hiring staff
• developing organizational policies

A degree in social work teaches about the various types of nonprofits and the individuals that can benefit from them. It can help aspiring nonprofit administrators develop communication, organization, and understanding skills. These skills serve them well throughout their careers.

Is a Social Work Degree Useful?

Depending on your career goals, a social work degree can be very useful in helping you develop the skills and achieve the credentials you need. As noted in this article, it can benefit many careers, not just those directly related to social work.

Social work degrees teach many skills by helping students become aware of the many social issues facing their society. This type of degree can help them learn to communicate with and help those who are less fortunate. Not only does this qualify them for a wide array of careers, but it can also help them feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that whatever career they pursue, they will be helping improve people's lives.