Social Work College to Career Major Map
The social work college to career major map gives options so you can select what best matches your interests and goals. Start thinking about your future now and build a path throughout your MSUM career that will prepare you for success.
Printable version of Social Work College to Career Major Map [PDF]
Academics
- Start taking LASC courses as well as foundational and core Social Work courses.
- Need a little help in your classes? Look into tutoring with the Academic Success Center.
Get Relevant Experience
- Sign up to participate in the Social Work Learning Community.
- Join a major specific student organization such as the Dragon Society of Social Work.
- Participate in Student Life Pathways to continue growing your skills/knowledge outside of the classroom. We recommend starting with the Community Life Pathway.
Connect to the Community & World
- Volunteer on or off-campus with different community organizations such as Boys and Girls Club of the RRV, Youthworks, or Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Understand Your Career
- Explore your interests, skills, and values and learn about the career readiness competencies by taking the FOCUS 2, an online assessment free for all MSUM students.
- Schedule an appointment with the Career Development Center to review your FOCUS 2 results and to begin building your resume.
Academics
- Take a deeper dive into the discipline of Social Work and begin considering a minor such as Psychology or Gerontology.
- Apply for admission to the Social Work program. Be sure to review the admissions criteria to make sure you have completed all necessary steps.
Get Relevant Experience
- Find an on-campus or part-time job in the community. Visit Dragon Jobs powered by Handshake, or one of the many other online job boards to find opportunities.
- Continue working on your Student Life Pathways. Try working your way through the Personal Wellness and the Equity and Inclusion paths.
Connect to the Community & World
- Join LinkedIn to begin building your professional network and online presence. Think of your profile as a virtual resume and make sure to update it regularly to reflect new jobs, research, coursework, volunteering, involvement, and skills.
Understand Your Career
- Start researching potential career paths on O*Net or the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Here, you will be able to find valuable information such as typical tasks associated with the profession, skills, and knowledge needed, education and licensures needed, wages and employment trends, professional organizations, and related occupations. We suggest you search for careers such as Social Worker.
Academics
- In addition to working with your advisor to get your access code, schedule an appointment with them to ensure you're on track for graduation.
- Take inventory of your professional goals and decide if your future will need to include graduate school. If so, take the necessary exams and keep track of application timelines.
Get Relevant Experience
- Begin your leadership journey by applying for a student leadership position or run for an officer position in the Dragon Society of Social Work. Find available leadership positions on Dragon Jobs in early spring.
- We suggest focusing on the Professional Success and Contribution and Influence Student Life Pathways. These will help connect you to potential employers and develop skills for success post graduation.
Connect to the Community & World
- Consider participating in a study abroad experience through the social work program. Globalized education empowers you to learn about the world, develop values around a positive sense of self, appreciate cultural diversity, enhance a passion for social justice and human rights, and build a sustainable future.
Understand Your Career
- Attend professional development related events on-campus, and connect with faculty to learn more about the field and gain insights on how to be successful in your job search.
Academics
- Complete your internship. Completing an internship is a required capstone experience to receive your B.S.W. degree from MSU Moorhead. During your internship, you’ll apply the social work knowledge and skills you’ve gained to real practice in the field.
- Ensure you submit your application for graduation on time.
Get Relevant Experience
- Assess what experiences or skills are areas of growth for you and fill in gaps with volunteering, organizations, or part-time employment.
- Finish up your pathways and be sure to add your accomplishments to your LinkedIn and resume.
Connect to the Community & World
- Join professional organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers - Minnesota to gain access to research, continuing education opportunities, job boards, and message boards. Make sure to join prior to graduation to receive the discounted student rate (when applicable).
- Get involved in a community organization such as the Young Professionals Network to continue building your professional network.
Understand Your Career
- Network relentlessly! Attend the spring Career Fairs to get connected to employers looking to hire soon-to-be grads. Check Dragon Central for more information.
- Schedule appointments with a Career Coach to go over your professional documents and to prepare for upcoming interviews. And remember, once a dragon always a dragon. You have access to these services for life.
What skills do I need to be successful in Social Work?
- communication
- emotional
- interpersonal
- organizational
- problem-solving
Thankfully, through coursework, on-campus involvement, part-time employment, and internships, you will be prepared for life post-graduation.
What can I do with a Social Work degree?
A degree in social work can take your career in many directions. Most students choose to enter the workforce right after graduation while others continue their education after a few years in the workforce. Our students are equipped with a strong foundation for their career. Check out the Social Work Careers & Outcomes page to learn more about what careers you can have with a social work degree.