Three students walking on campus.

A Degree in Social Work.

Social workers help individuals, families and communities manage and overcome social, personal and other problems. They work in many different setting and at multiple levels and can be found: connecting clients with needed services and resources, advocating for social change, managing and delivering public and private social service systems, providing crisis intervention, and offering life skills training. 

Careers in these fields offer steady, stable employment. Positions are usually permanent after an initial probationary period. For occupational advancement, some additional education (beyond the baccalaureate level) may be required.

Working as a social worker can be both challenging and rewarding. Social workers are likely to encounter client with serious social and personal problems. However, opportunities to create positive changes are great.

The national employment rate for social workers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next several years. Job prospects are expected to be particularly favorable for: social workers who work with older adults, children (including school social workers) or families; mental health and substance abuse workers; medical and public health social workers (including hospital social workers); and social workers in rural areas. 

Employment Resources

  • The Academic and Career Advisement Center at NMU is a good place to begin exploring career options.
  • Career Services is another important on-campus resource for getting you on your way to locating professional employment. In addition to job listings, you'll get assistance with preparing a resume and advice on conducting a job search.
  • Employment information for people with disabilities is available from the Social Security Administration.
  • Illinois Chapter of NASW site provides information and links to employment sources in Illinois.
  • Michigan Chapter of NASW has a limited listing of job openings in our state. The Web-site is relatively new and should provide more listings in the future.
  • The Michigan Career Builder is a website operated by the Detroit News. It often carries job information on positions throughout the state. Browse this site to get an idea of the diversity of social work jobs and typical salary levels.
  • Michigan Civil Service Department is the source for state civil service career information.
  • Minnesota Department of Human Services. This site provides access to social work related positions throughout Minnesota as well as other employment opportunities under the state merit system. The Hennepin County site is a good web site for the Twin Cities area, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding communities.
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW) publishes a monthly newsletter for members. NASW also maintains NASW Job Links, an on-line service for social work positions. Many of these positions require an MSW degree, but it's worth checking out this site, especially for exploring future career possibilities.
  • The New Social Worker On-Line Career Center The New Social Worker is a social work student organization. Their site includes a wide variety of links to social work employment Internet sites.
  • Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc. currently has two school-based BHT positions available: one at our Manistee Area Public Schools Child and Adolescent Health Center which also offers medical care and the other is a stand-alone E3 grant position at Mason County Central schools. 
  • Social Service.com advertises itself as the place to begin your career search. It does provide information on a broad range of human service related employment.
  • State of Wisconsin Department of Employment Relations Opportunities for Wisconsin civil service jobs can be found at this site
  • Pure Michigan Talent Connect is a great resource for searching for jobs in Michigan.

Licensure Resources