Worrill graduated in 1968 and was hired by a West Side YMCA as a program director. He left to pursue his PhD at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His focus was on "Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Social Studies". He wanted to help students understand the relationship between institutions and power. Upon receiving his degree from Wisconsin, Worrill taught for two years at George Williams College. In 1975, he transferred to the faculty of Northeastern Illinois University, where he led the Center for Inner City Studies.