Winter 2021
School Updates

The VanKirk Career Center

Current highlights from the career center.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we live our lives, and social workers are needed now more than ever. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the social work profession is projected to grow by 13% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the national average of 4% for all professions. The VanKirk Career Center at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work provides students and alumni with career services and job search strategies to maximize their professional success. Current highlights from the career center include the following: 

  • Career services in a virtual world: The VanKirk Career Center continues to provide a full range of career development services during the COVID-19 pandemic. All individual consultations, workshops, and job fairs are virtual and open to students and alumni. Upcoming events can be found on the center’s website or on the School of Social Work’s Facebook page. 
  • Setting the bar for licensure: In 2019, Pitt Social Work alumni passed the Association of Social Work Boards exam to become a licensed social worker at a rate of 85%, while the national average was 74%. Those taking the licensed clinical social worker exam fared even better, with an 87% pass rate as compared to a 74.2% pass rate nationwide. The VanKirk Career Center offers licensure test prep and individual test coaching for both exams. 
  • Seeking employment opportunities for alumni and students: The VanKirk Career Center wishes to assist all Pitt Social Work alumni and students in obtaining the job of their choice. The career center frequently posts job listings on its website and through social media. 

For more information about career services available to Pitt Social Work alumni and students, visit socialwork.pitt.edu/student-resources/career-services.