From the VanKirk Career Center

On March 29, 2018, the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work hosted its fourth annual job fair in the School of Social Work Conference Center. Fifteen agencies participated in the fair, one of the many events and services offered by the VanKirk Career Center. Since the center opened in October 2015, more than 500 students have benefited from its services and the more than 45 workshops it has offered. Assistance with licensure exam preparation is the leading request from students, while resumé and cover letter review is a close second. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their career development immediately after they enter the School of Social Work. The VanKirk Career Center’s motto is “It’s your career. Make it happen.” Helping students to engage early on in their career development and maintain that engagement throughout their education is critical to securing employment when they graduate.

Our 2017 alumni survey data indicate that 92 percent of graduates are employed in a social work-related position. Also, the School of Social Work licensure exam pass rate from 2011 to 2015 was 88 percent; the national pass rate was 82 percent. The latest social work employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that social work jobs are expected to grow by 16 percent through 2026. The projected growth rate for all other jobs in the United States is 7 percent for the same time period. This is undoubtedly good news for social workers. There are 245 graduate schools of social work and many more undergraduate social work programs in the United States. All are preparing their students for the social work job market.

The need for social services is substantial in the United States and throughout the world. Our students have the knowledge and skills necessary to meet society’s challenges and the career development tools to obtain the opportunities to use them.

Hail to Pitt!

Bobby Simmons

Director of Career Services