Area
Employer
Information/Strategies
Area:
Social Services
Sub-Area:
- Administration and Planning
- Case Management
- Advocacy
- Program Evaluation
- Policy Development
- Volunteer Coordination
- Prevention
Employers:
- Public welfare agencies
- Federal, state, and local government including:
- Administrative agencies
- Department of Human Services
- Department of Education
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Department of Justice
- Job Corps
- Head Start
- Indian Health Services
- State legislatures
- Private social service agencies
- Group homes and halfway houses
- Religiously affiliated organizations
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers
Strategies & Information:
- Social services are designed to provide support for poor, disabled, ill, elderly, or juvenile clients.
- Volunteer at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, battered women homes, literacy programs, or other social service agencies to gain relevant experience and demonstrate interest.
- Learn to work well with different types of people.
- Cultivate multicultural competence.
- Become familiar with government and community resources available for those in need.
- Learn about government application procedures and apply early as the process can take at least four to six months.
- Complete an internship with the federal government.
Area:
Criminal Justice/Corrections
Sub-Area:
- Counseling/Therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Probation
- Parole
- Youth Services
- Victim Assistance
- Case Management
Employers:
- Prisons and correctional facilities
- Courts
- Police departments
- Probation and parole offices
- Victim services organizations
- Private treatment facilities
- Group homes and halfway houses
Strategies & Information:
- Human services workers in corrections focus on rehabilitating clients and assisting victims.
- Obtain experience by volunteering at a corrections facility or a victim services organization such as a rape crisis center.
- Gain experience as a juvenile probation officer; many states allow reputable citizens to serve as volunteer officers.
Area:
Child Welfare
Sub-Area:
- Case Management
- Advocacy
- Service Coordination
Employers:
- Public or private child welfare agencies
- Local, state, and federal government including:
- Department of Children's Services
- Department of Human Services
- Child Protective Services
- Adoption agencies
- Foster care organizations
- Day care centers and Head Start programs
- Recreational facilities (i.e., YMCA or YWCA)
Strategies & Information:
- Child welfare workers strive to ensure the safety and well-being of children through interventions and programming.
- Volunteer at day care centers, children's shelters, camps, YMCA/YWCA, Scouts, CASA, or other agencies that aid youth and children.
- Take additional courses in child development or early childhood education.
Area:
Developmental Disabilities
Sub-Area:
- Case Management
- Advocacy
- Program Planning and Evaluation
- Policy Development
- Rehabilitation
- Research
Employers:
- Community residential homes
- State and local agencies including:
- Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment programs
- One-stop career centers
- Medical facilities
- Mental health organizations
- Schools
- Colleges and universities
- Employment agencies
Strategies & Information:
- Human services workers specializing in this area help people with disabilities to adjust to and lead productive lives.
- Volunteer at special needs camps, child care centers, schools, or hospitals to gain experience.
- Learn about a variety of disabilities and accommodations.
- Obtain specialized training in areas such as sign language or assistive technology for additional opportunities.
- Earn a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling for opportunities in vocational rehabilitation.
Area:
Gerontology
Sub-Area:
- Advocacy
- Administration
- Counseling
- Case Management
- Programming
- Public Policy
Employers:
- Hospitals
- Nursing and retirement homes
- Senior centers
- Assisted living facilities
- Hospice
- Home healthcare agencies
- Community agencies serving the elderly
Strategies & Information:
- Gerontology involves working with older adults, healthy or ill, and their families.
- Become involved with programs or organizations designed for senior citizens.
- Join the American Society on Aging.
- Supplement curriculum with course work in life span development and aging.
- Obtain specialized training and credentials oriented toward gerontology.
Area:
Healthcare
Sub-Area:
- Case Management
- Counseling
- Program Development
- Administration
- Rehabilitation
- Prevention
- Education
- Research
- Hospice Care
Employers:
- Hospitals
- Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
- Nursing homes
- Hospice programs
- Home healthcare agencies
- Community health centers
- Public health programs
- Social service organizations
- Outpatient clinics
- Group homes
- Specialized camps/schools
- Federal, state, and local government including:
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Veterans Affairs
Strategies & Information:
- Human services workers in healthcare facilitate the medical and emotional treatment of patients.
- Volunteer in health related settings such as hospitals or the American Red Cross to gain experience.
- Supplement curriculum with course work in public health or community health education.
- Gain membership in relevant professional associations.
- Become familiar with community resources.
Area:
Administration
Sub-Area:
- Management
- Policy Development
- Planning
- Supervision
- Fundraising
- Budgeting
- Grant Writing
Employers:
- Social service agencies
- Employee assistance programs
- Probation departments
- Public interest groups
- Local, state, and federal government including:
- Department of Human Services
- Department of Children's Services
- Department of Education
- Department of Justice
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- State mental health departments
- Job Corps
- Head Start
- Public welfare agencies
- Residential or outpatient hospitals/treatment centers
Strategies & Information:
- Administrators are involved with planning, budgeting, public relations, management, fund raising, and other crucial operating responsibilities that keep an organization functioning.
- Supplement curriculum with course work in areas such as public relations, advertising, accounting, or management.
- Consider earning a business minor.
- Obtain a master's degree in social work or related field for additional opportunities.
- Gain management experience through internships, part-time employment, or leadership in relevant student organizations.
- Research government application procedures.
Area:
Business and Industry
Sub-Area:
- Human Resources
- Management
- Market Research
- Customer Service
- Sales
- Public Relations
- Corporate Giving
- Development
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Financial Counseling
Employers:
- Business firms in various industries
- Developers of educational products
- National foundations and associations
- Consumer protection agencies
- Social service organizations with business components, i.e. tax assistance, financial planning
Strategies & Information:
- Graduates of human services programs may apply their skills and knowledge in the private sector of business and industry.
- Earn a minor in business or related field.
- Develop computer skills particularly with spreadsheets, databases, word processing, and desk top publishing.
- Learn to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
- Take courses to enhance writing skills.
- Gain experience through part-time jobs, summer jobs, and internships in business environments.
- Get involved in student organizations and seek leadership roles.
General Information and Strategies
- A bachelor's degree in human services prepares individuals for entry-level positions in the helping professions.
- A master's degree in counseling, social work, occupational therapy, or related field, in addition to appropriate professional licensure, is usually necessary to provide therapy and for advancement to supervisory or administrative positions.
- Complete practicum experiences and internships to determine suitability for the helping professions and to gain exposure to various practice settings and clients.
- Candidates should possess empathy for others, an appreciation for diversity, and an interest in social change.
- Gain experience with a wide range of clients and client systems including individuals, families, groups, communities, and minorities.
- Join a human service organization while in school and seek leadership positions.
- Look for ways to impact your community and get involved with local organizations and issues.
- Become familiar with local social service agencies and resources available for those in need.
- Learn a second language to better communicate with diverse client populations.
- Develop ability to work well under pressure and manage stress.
- Update your resume as you acquire new accomplishments, skills, knowledge, and interests.