The Launchpad by Second Day

Overall estimated read time: 18 minutes

Last updated: July 2021

Fired up to transform how society treats our most vulnerable? Want to see the impact you can have in your community and in individual lives each day? Direct service and/or social work is an avenue where you will be able to make a difference in individual lives, generations of families, and communities. In this field, you will be interacting face-to-face with those in need, and doing what you can to help them navigate the obstacles society places in their way. This work can be both emotionally and physically taxing, but you have options. If you love it, it is possible to have longevity in a direct service career. At the same time, even a short time in direct service work will provide invaluable experience to inform the rest of your career.

Careers in direct service/social work vary immensely, but this guide will provide descriptions of some of the roles you might take immediately after graduating and the paths to get there. These may include immediately pursuing a MSW (Masters of Social Work), looking for entry level Direct service work, or participating in a service fellowship (Americorps, Jesuit Volunteer Corps, etc.) This guide will talk you through each of these pathways, and how to best position yourself in the application process.