MSW job outlook good?

[SLH122]

Hi everyone,

Basically, I'm switching fields and I know to work in social work at any sort of decent job, you need to have an MSW. However, I am very nervous that I will graduate with my MSW and it will still be impossible to find a job. Does anyone have any insight as to how the job market is for NEW MSW grads? I know it varies by region but I am interested in any input at all. I know people say there will always be a need for social workers, and yes that is true, but in this economy and job market, it is hard to know whether or not it will be fairly easy to find a job as a new MSW grad. I already have a masters in criminology, and I just don't want to waste my time.

Any input? Thanks.

Edited April 26, 2011 by SLH122

[Granduate]

Hi everyone,

Basically, I'm switching fields and I know to work in social work at any sort of decent job, you need to have an MSW. However, I am very nervous that I will graduate with my MSW and it will still be impossible to find a job. Does anyone have any insight as to how the job market is for NEW MSW grads? I know it varies by region but I am interested in any input at all. I know people say there will always be a need for social workers, and yes that is true, but in this economy and job market, it is hard to know whether or not it will be fairly easy to find a job as a new MSW grad. I already have a masters in criminology, and I just don't want to waste my time.

Any input? Thanks.

I don't actually have much input, but I'm also very interested in this. From what I understand, it's pretty versatile, which allows for for a fairly large slice of the market.

[pdgardne]

I think it varies by where you live but overall it's a very marketable degree. For instance, more than 85% of graduates at NYU get a job within 3-6 months. I've also heard it doesn't matter much where you get your degree for an MSW so it would be similar for most schools.

I don't actually have much input, but I'm also very interested in this. From what I understand, it's pretty versatile, which allows for for a fairly large slice of the market.

[SLH122]

I think it varies by where you live but overall it's a very marketable degree. For instance, more than 85% of graduates at NYU get a job within 3-6 months. I've also heard it doesn't matter much where you get your degree for an MSW so it would be similar for most schools.

That is pretty awesome - even in this market, I wonder, or is this statistic from several years ago? haha