What Can I Do With This Major

Human Services

Human Services focuses on human, social, and behavioral science in order to effectively engage in organizations dedicated to helping others transition through developmental or contextual issues and processes. Human Services includes studies in interpersonal skills, social and cultural foundations, developmental psychology, and the administration of human services organizations.

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Social Services

Common Career Paths

  • Administration and planning
  • Case management
  • Advocacy
  • Program evaluation
  • Policy development
  • Volunteer coordination
  • Prevention

Employers

  • Public welfare agencies
  • Federal, state, and local government:
    • Administrative agencies
    • Department of Human Services
    • Department of Education
    • Department of Veterans Affairs
    • Department of Justice
  • Federal, state, and local government continued:
    • Job Corps
    • One-Stop Career Centers
    • Head Start
    • Indian Health Service
    • State legislatures
  • Private social service agencies
  • Adult day care centers
  • Transitional housing facilities and halfway houses
  • Religiously affiliated organizations
  • Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers

Strategies

  • Social services are designed to provide support and promote well-being for disadvantaged populations.
  • Volunteer at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, domestic violence support centers, literacy programs, and/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 or nonprofit agency.

Criminal Justice/Corrections

Common Career Paths

  • 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
  • Transitional living facilities and halfway houses

Strategies

  • Correctional workers focus on rehabilitating clients and assisting victims.
  • Obtain experience by volunteering at a corrections facility or a victim services organization such as a sexual assault crisis center or family justice center.
  • Gain experience as a juvenile probation officer; many states allow reputable citizens to serve as volunteer officers.
  • Supplement curriculum with criminal justice classes.

Child Welfare

Common Career Paths

  • Case management
  • Advocacy
  • Service coordination
  • Youth programming and mentoring
  • Therapeutic recreation

Employers

  • Public or private child welfare agencies
  • Local, state, and federal government:
    • Department of Children’s Services
    • Department of Human Services
    • Child Protective Services
    • Head Start
  • Adoption agencies
  • Foster care organizations
  • Day care centers
  • Recreational facilities (e.g., YMCA or YWCA)

Strategies

  • 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.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Common Career Paths

  • Counseling
  • Case management
  • Residential management
  • Outpatient management
  • Transportation
  • Program development and evaluation
  • Assessment
  • Spiritual advising
  • Therapeutic recreation

Employers

  • Alcohol and drug treatment and rehabilitation centers
  • Residential treatment facilities
  • Outpatient facilities
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
  • Private treatment facilities
  • Transitional living facilities and halfway houses
  • Hospitals
  • Community mental health centers
  • Local, state, and federal government:
    • Department of Social Services
    • Department of Veterans Affairs
    • Correctional facilities
    • Juvenile detention facilities
    • Probation services

Strategies

  • Workers in the alcohol and substance abuse area specialize in treating and assisting people with addictions and their families.
  • Volunteer at treatment centers, local hospitals, and/or other social service agencies to gain experience and demonstrate interest.
  • Become familiar with assessment procedures.
  • Earn a master’s degree and appropriate licensure in substance abuse counseling to provide treatment. Consider training as a Master Addictions Counselor (MAC).
  • Learn about government and community resources available for those in need.
  • Attend community meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Developmental Services

Common Career Paths

  • Case management
  • Advocacy
  • Program planning and evaluation
  • Policy development
  • Rehabilitation
  • Research

Employers

  • Community residential homes
  • State and local agencies:
    • Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Programs (VR & E)
    • One-Stop Career Centers
  • Medical facilities
  • Mental health organizations
  • Schools
  • Colleges and universities
  • Employment agencies

Strategies

  • Human services workers specializing in this area help people with disabilities 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 to qualify for more positions.

Gerontology

Common Career Paths

  • Advocacy
  • Administration
  • Counseling
  • Case management
  • Programming
  • Public policy

Employers

  • Hospitals
  • Nursing and retirement homes
  • Senior centers
  • Assisted and independent living facilities
  • Hospice
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Community agencies serving the elderly

Strategies

  • Gerontology involves promoting the well-being of older adults and supporting them 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.

Healthcare

Common Career Paths

  • 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
  • Transitional housing facilities
  • Specialized camps/schools
  • Federal, state, and local government:
    • Department of Health and Human Services
    • Department of Veterans Affairs

Strategies

  • 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.

Administration

Common Career Paths

  • Management
  • Policy development
  • Event planning
  • Supervision
  • Development
  • Budgeting
  • Grant writing
  • Public relations
  • Marketing

Employers

  • Social service agencies
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
  • Probation departments
  • Public interest groups
  • Local, state, and federal government:
    • 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
    • One-stop Career Centers
    • Head Start
  • Public welfare agencies
  • Residential or outpatient hospitals/treatment centers

Strategies

  • Administrators are involved with planning, budgeting, public relations, management, 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, and/or leadership in relevant student organizations.
  • Research government application procedures.
  • Network with local politicians and government agencies.  Administrators often have to lobby officials to maintain or increase project funding.

Business and Industry

Common Career Paths

  • Human resources
  • Management
  • Market research
  • Customer service
  • Sales
  • Public relations
  • Corporate giving
  • Development
  • 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 (e.g., tax assistance, financial planning).
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Strategies

  • 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, and desktop 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.

Getting Started and Advancing in Major

  • 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 gain necessary experience, test your interests in the helping professions, and gain exposure to various practice settings and clients. Human Services is a broad field so it will be important to explore which area/population is the best fit for you.
  • 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 the ability to work well under pressure and manage stress.
  • Update your resume as you acquire new accomplishments, skills, knowledge, and interests.

Professional Associations

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Occupational Outlook

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