If you’ve already determined that social work, therapy, or psychology are for you, congratulations. Most college-bound students have no idea what they want to do after school. A career in this field can be rewarding, but it takes planning, hard work, and a solid post-high school education.
We’ll review an approach you might want to follow as you prepare for your career.
Start Planning Early
Get another step ahead of others considering your career field by beginning the planning process early.
Talk to your guidance counselor to determine the appropriate classes, both required and elective, you’ll need to get into college and your desired program. Your counselor may have some thoughts on which colleges to consider for your specific career goals..
Colleges look to see what classes you took, how you did in them, and the overall pattern of your classroom performance. Placement exam scores, as well as college-level and AP classes you take can be deciding factors in your favor.
Outside the classroom, consider volunteering or applying for after-school and summer jobs in your field of interest. You could take a job filing at a therapist’s office, become a counselor at a camp for kids with special needs, or even volunteer with an organization that serves veterans. There are many niches within the fields of social work, therapy and psychology that offer job or volunteer possibilities.
Haven’t narrowed down your specific career path yet? Consider setting up informational interviews. These are 15- to 30-minute meetings with people working in the field. You can find out from them about the day-to-day duties, pros and cons, and benefits of working in their niche.
A more in-depth approach is job shadowing. This involves spending time with a professional in the field to help you get a better understanding of their job.
Next, research colleges that offer majors in psychology, social work or therapy. Most colleges hold special events for students interested in attending. There, you can learn more about the school, the program that interests you, the strength of its career counseling program, and the campus environment.
Selecting A College
Now it is time to finalize your list of prospective colleges. There are qualitative and quantitative items to consider.
Are you more comfortable in a small school environment or would you prefer a large university setting? Some colleges offer virtual or hybrid programs. Smaller schools typically offer a more personal, hands-on approach. Self-starters may find the large university or a virtual program more to their liking.
Do you want to stay close to home, or get farther away? In-state schools are often more cost-effective, so you’ll need to consider the budgetary aspects.
Next, determine overall costs, and how you will pay for it. Consider not only tuition, but potential living expenses. The average total cost of a four-year degree was $122,000 in 2020.
Do the schools you are considering offer scholarships, grants or work-study programs?
Are there other avenues to get scholarship money? For instance, some larger corporations offer scholarships for employee dependents. If you have a job, check to see if your employer offers tuition assistance.
As you look at specific colleges, you’ll want to determine what they offer in terms of degree programs. What kind of placement success do they have within your field?
Another important factor to consider is what is the acceptance criteria and process. How competitive is it to be accepted at the colleges in which you have interest?
You’ll also want to determine if the colleges and their degree programs are accredited. After you graduate, if you are wanting to pursue licensure as a therapist, social worker, or psychologist, graduation from an accredited program is usually required.
You can find a list of all baccalaureate and master's levels social work degree programs that are currently Accredited or in Candidacy or Pre-Candidacy Status through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
You can search for American Psychological Association (APA) accredited doctoral, internship and postdoctoral residency programs here.
You can learn about your state’s requirements by using our state licensing board search .
Selecting A Degree Program
Another critical decision concerns your degree program selection. What do you want to do with your degree after college?
Do you want to be a social worker, a therapist, or a psychologist? Are you interested in the clinical or the healthcare administration aspect? If you are interested in testing, perhaps psychology is your avenue. Counseling is the sphere of the therapist. Social work focuses on casework, advocacy and social justice. Not sure yet? Check out our other article Planning Your Career In Social Work or Psychologly Starts Long Before You Graduate, which offers some advice to those still trying to decide if these fields are right for them.
How well-renowned are the programs in which you have an interest? Each year, US News & World Report ranks colleges based on a survey of academics. For instance, the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor was ranked #1 for its social work program. Review the programs on your list to see where they rank.
Here are a few other things to consider.
Will you need an advanced degree and/or license? Does the curriculum prepare you for the job you want?
Will this school prepare you for the next step? For example, some social work programs will give you advanced standing in master’s social work programs. This will save you time and money.
These fields offer so many options to you. Choosing your career path, the college and your degree program are critical life decisions. But with planning and research, you can make a solid decision.
