Career Opportunities
Social Work is an exciting, challenging, and dynamic profession. No matter what the political climate or the changing nature of personal or social need, social workers will be in demand because people need help. The human services are an established and major component of the U.S. economy and social system.
There are approximately 385,000 social workers in the United States, and social service spending in the U.S. exceeds $500 billion annually. A recent US News and World Report analysis of job opportunities in the future projected social work as one of the top 25 high-growth occupations.
Any way you look at it, human services is a growth area of occupations.
Social workers are employed in a variety of settings which include health care, mental health, aging, child welfare, public welfare, substance abuse, developmental disabilities and others. In each of these areas there is an increasing recognition of the necessity for professional preparation, and the BSW graduate is looked upon as the right sort of person for a career in these areas of service.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics outlook for careers in Social Work: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Take this quiz on applying for social work jobs.
Places to find employment opportunities:
- Social Work Department (job book plus Career Planning & Placement materials)
- University Career Center
- NASW-NC Chapter
- NASW Job Link
- Social Work & Social Services Online
- N.C. Office of State Personnel Job Vacancies
- N.C. Employment Security Commission Job Database
- News & Observer Classified Employment Section
