What else can you do with a social work degree? 6 impactful careers to consider

6 careers you can pursue with a social work degree

Social workers spend their careers working to preserve the quality of life for those in our communities. Considered by many to be unsung heroes, these human services professionals can work in a variety of different environments within a number of varying specialties.

From working with our military service members and those struggling with mental illness, to impacting teen substance abuse, and even the well-being of the athletes among us, social workers set out to help our communities thrive. But what else can you do with a social work degree? If you’re drawn to the principles of helping others but seeking alternative roles beyond the traditional social worker job, there are plenty of rewarding career paths to explore.

Whether you’re wondering about jobs you can get with a social work degree or you’re considering social services management jobs, here are six professional avenues that highlight the things you can do with a social work degree.

1. Case manager

Case managers and social workers differ in a number of ways. Primary among them is the fact that while case managers may give limited counseling to their clients, they do not provide therapy. Rather, they are social service workers whose primary duty is to coordinate care for their clients by:

• Conducting intake interviews to assess needs
• Connecting clients with agencies and institutions
• Monitoring ongoing care to ensure services are delivered properly

Another common duty for case managers is to continually monitor the client to ensure needed services are being adequately provided. As the job duties indicate, these positions require dedicated, compassionate, bachelor-qualified social service professionals. While no licensure is needed for case manager jobs, many in this field go on to pursue one or acquire other professional certifications.

2. Director of social services

The typical role of a qualified director of social services centers on overseeing the daily operations of health services in assisted living or independent living facilities. Responsibilities often include:

• Providing information and resources to prospective residents and families
• Coordinating admissions for all residents
• Advocating for and promoting residents’ rights
• Supporting daily operations for staff and residents

As a managerial role, this is among the more advanced social services management jobs. A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field. For some positions, a master’s degree may be preferred.

3. Health manager

Medical and health services managers — at times referred to as healthcare administrators — plan, direct and coordinate services within healthcare facilities. They may manage:

• Entire healthcare facilities
• Specific clinical departments
• Staff training and hiring processes
• Technology and regulatory compliance

These professionals often work closely with physicians, surgeons, registered nurses, laboratory technologists and other esteemed healthcare workers. It’s also true that part of the job includes interacting with patients and even insurance agents. For this managerial role, a bachelor’s degree is typically required, while master’s degrees are common for those advancing in this career path.

This is a great example of what you can do with a social work degree if you’re interested in leadership roles in healthcare.

4. Residential counselor

Also referred to as rehabilitation counselors, residential counselors, these professionals typically work in:

• Rehabilitation centers
• Group homes
• Residential care facilities
• Shelters

For example, residential counselors often supervise clients in a structured environment and may work with individuals with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities. Their role is to help clients:

• Manage or overcome disabilities
• Develop independent living skills
• Build emotional resilience

This is an ideal job for those with a social work degree looking to make a hands-on impact in the lives of others.

5. Care coordinator

As the job title indicates, care coordinators are responsible for managing all the details of a patient’s care within a healthcare facility. Hospital-based care coordinators spend a lot of time talking with the care team about post-hospital plans. Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with care teams about post-hospital plans
• Assisting patients in understanding care plans
• Scheduling follow-up appointments
• Ensuring prescriptions and unique needs are accounted for

These professionals act as advocates for patients, requiring strong communication and organizational skills. If you’re asking, “What can I do with a social work degree?” this role is an excellent example of how your training can directly support patient outcomes. Care coordinator jobs typically require an associate or bachelor’s degree in a field related to social work or healthcare administration.

6. Clinical manager

An offshoot of medical and health services management, clinical managers hold managerial duties in both administrative and medical capacities to maintain smooth operations within all aspects of the establishment in which they work, often:

• Doctor’s offices
• Clinics
• Long-term care facilities
• Outpatient centers

In addition to overseeing day-to-day management of clinical, professional, administrative and clerical staff, clinical managers are often also tasked with managing the recruitment, training and development of new staff members. At minimum, this role requires a bachelor’s degree in social work, healthcare administration or a related field. It’s one of the more advanced social services management jobs available to those with experience and leadership skills.

Have you discovered the right job with a social work degree?

Even if you’ve determined that the traditional path toward working as a social worker isn’t for you, there are still numerous jobs you can get with a social work degree that allow you to make a real difference. Could any of the six titles outlined above help you fulfill your professional aspirations while allowing you to use your career to make a positive impact?

If you can envision yourself enjoying the meaningful work of any of the social work careers we’ve explored, it may be time to truly consider what a bachelor’s degree in social work has to offer you. You can learn more by visiting The College of St. Scholastica’s Accelerated Bachelor’s in Social Work program page.

If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree but you’re interested in continuing your education with a focus on clinical social work, head over to the Master of Social Work (MSW) program page for more information.