There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.

Essential skills build through majoring in Social Work include:

• Critical Thinking
• Global Skills
• Teamwork & Collaboration

Click here to learn more about each essential skill.

Students graduating in Social Work often find themselves working in mental and behavioral health, public/social services/nonprofit, and child welfare roles.

Click here to explore career opportunities by major.

Students who choose to pursue a graduate degree often consider:

• Master of Social Work
• Marriage and family or school-based counseling
• Law School

Click here to learn more about applying to graduate school.

Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and last year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.

Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.

To use this tool to the fullest, follow these steps

1. Click on your year in school from the list below.
2. Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
3. Complete any necessary steps listed.
4. Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.

All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.

• Attend orientation and register for classes.
• Meet with your Academic Advisor.
• Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF and the General Scholarship Application.

• Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
• Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
• Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).

• Attend the Annual Social Work Social in August.
• Meet with your social work departmental advisor.
• Visit the MSU Denver Writing Center.

• Explore Social Work student groups as well as MSU Denver student orgs.
• Connect with your assigned Social Work faculty advisor.
• Begin building connections with students in Social Work classes.

• Attend a Social Work “Lunch and Learn” with faculty.
• Enroll in SWK 1010: Intro to Social Work.
• Get familiar with the National Association of Social Workers and follow NASW-CO on social media.

• Consider adding a minor or certificate to your chosen major.
• Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
• Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.

• Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
• Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
• Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.

• Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
• Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
• Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.

• Plan to utilize writing support services through the MSU Denver Writing Center or attend a writing workshop provided by the Social Work Department.
• Meet with your Social Work advisor to ensure you’re ready to apply to begin Social Work major courses by junior year or completion of 60 credit hours.
• Develop an understanding of the field of social work and begin to identify which area you want to explore further.

• Explore Study Abroad &/or Student Travel Opportunities, the social work department provides student travel funds
• Join the Social Work Student Advisory Council or other departmental student group or organization
• Connect with the Office of Field Education to prepare for the field placement process and expectations for field work

• Seek out academic and career mentors within the Social Work department
• Engage in required volunteer work and experiential learning opportunities through SWK 1600 and SWK 3350
• Familiarize yourself with the MSW Program Admissions timeline application process

• Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
• Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
• Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.

• Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
• Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
• Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.

• Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
• Attend in-person career-focused events with an industry-ready resume.
• Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
• Prepare and submit applications for jobs, graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.

• Participate in required field placement work for 16 hours per week for a total of 240 hours per each semester of your senior year.
• Reach out to your faculty advisor for guidance on balancing priorities.
• Focus on your academic writing skills.

• Consider becoming an NASW member.
• Attend Social Work Department’s annual conferences: Social Work Policy, Mental and Behavioral Health, and Palliative Care.
• Foster meaningful connections through your field placement work.

• Attend the Social Work Department’s Annual Graduation Celebration.
• If applying to graduate school, identify and reach out to potential recommenders, and start working on your application materials.
• Ensure your resume or CV is up to date by attending a writing workshop.