AREAS
PRE-SCHOOL/DAY CARE

• Teaching
  
• Administration

Employers

• Religious organizations
  
• Montessori schools
  
• Private, public, franchise, and corporate day care centers
  
• Private homes
  
• Family day care
  
• Extended school programs
  
• Preschools
  
• Head Start programs

Strategies

• Develop physical stamina for working with children. Acquire appropriate certification or licensure for day care and public school teaching. Obtain experience working with children through volunteering or part-time jobs.
  
• Demonstrate patience with children and the ability to work well with people of various backgrounds. Develop strong communications skills to deal effectively with parents.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

• Administration
  
• Development
  
• Programming
  
• Research
  
• Evaluation

Employers

• Community centers
  
• YMCA or YWCA
  
• Consumer protection agencies
  
• Summer camp programs
  
• Adult day care providers
  
• Hospitals
  
• Rehabilitation organizations
  
• Religious organizations
  
• Adoption agencies

Strategies

• Seek related work experience; particularly summer camps or special needs areas. Learn to work well with all types of people through volunteer or paid positions. Obtain Child Life Certification for some areas. Develop strong presentation and public speaking skills. Be willing to wear multiple hats within an organization. Learn how to write grants. Develop research and writing skills.

AREAS
SOCIAL SERVICES

• Case Management
  
• Counseling
  
• Administration

Employers

• Profit and nonprofit organizations focused on children, youth, families, or senior citizens
  
• Adult and child day care providers
  
• Group homes
  
• Half-way houses
  
• Youth services agencies
  
• Senior citizens' programs
  
• Foundations and funding organizations

Strategies

• Supplement curriculum with courses in social work, sociology, or psychology.
  
• Obtain a master's degree and appropriate licensure in mental health counseling, social work, or rehabilitation counseling to provide therapy. Earn a graduate degree to obtain most administrative positions. Gain experience through volunteer positions or internships.

AREAS
EDUCATION

• Teaching
  
• Early Childhood Education
  
• Early Childhood Special Education
  
• Home Economics
  
• Family and Consumer Sciences
  
• Curriculum Development
  
• Research
  
• Counseling
  
• Administration
  
• College Student Affairs
  
• Parent-Child Education

Employers

• Public and private schools (K-12)
  
• Public preschool programs (e.g., Head Start)
  
• Private preschool programs
  
• Montessori schools
  
• Adult education programs
  
• Colleges and universities
  
• Programs servicing children and adults with special needs

Strategies

• Acquire appropriate certification for public school teaching. Obtain Ph.D. for college and university teaching and research opportunities. Acquire certification for day care and parent-child education. Obtain graduate degree for counseling, student affairs, and administrative positions. Find part-time or summer jobs working with children. Serve as a tutor, peer mentor, resident assistant or student advisor.

AREAS
MEDICAL

• Child Care Programs
  
• Education

Employers

• Hospitals
  
• Healthcare facilities
  
• Health and wellness agencies
  
• Hospices

Strategies

• Earn a master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related areas for the most opportunities. Obtain experience in advocacy. Acquire licensing or certification for some areas. Volunteer in a healthcare setting.

AREAS
BUSINESS

• Management
  
• Sales
  
• Customer Service

Employers

• Manufacturing companies of children's clothes, toys, furniture, and food Department and retail stores Service organizations

Strategies

• Minor in business; develop skills in areas such as management, marketing or sales. Secure leadership positions on campus. Get related experience through internships or part-time jobs. Build computer skills in word processing, database management, and spreadsheet programs.

AREAS
COMMUNICATIONS

• Journalism
  
• Public Relations
  
• Writing
  
• Editing
  
• Research

Employers

• Organizations geared toward children and family including: Book publishers,
  
• Professional associations, Radio and TV stations, Nonprofit organizations, Manufacturers, Newspapers, and Magazines

Strategies

• Minor or double major in a communications field. Develop excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Submit articles or books for publication. Work for campus publications or radio stations. Complete internships with related organizations.

AREAS
GOVERNMENT

• Social Services
  
• Rehabilitation
  
• Program Coordination
  
• Research
  
• Program Evaluation
  
• Legislation
  
• Advocacy

Employers

• Federal, state and local government agencies (i.e., Departments of Health, Education and Welfare, Criminal Justice Departments, Sanitation, Fire/Safety, Nutrition, and Cooperative Extension)
  
• Vocational rehabilitation
  
• Mental health agencies
  
• Military child care programs
  
• Overseas child care and education programs
  
• Health and wellness agencies
  
• Women's protective agencies

Strategies

• Take additional courses in area of interest. Develop strong presentation and public speaking skills. Obtain specialized training for opportunities in protective services or law enforcement. Complete an internship with a government organization. Learn federal, state, and local job application procedures.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Bachelor's degree is sufficient for entry-level positions.
• Advanced degrees are essential for clinical and therapeutic counseling positions.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. is often needed for administrative and supervisory positions.
• Ph.D. is required for college teaching and advanced research positions.
• Additional or specialized training qualifies one for higher paying and positions of greater responsibility.
• Obtain part-time, summer, internship, or volunteer experience in child care, schools, hospitals, camps, or overseas programs or in advocacy or service-oriented programs dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse, family violence, aging, poor, or disabled populations.
• Obtain certification in CPR, safety, and first aid for adults, children, and infants.
• Develop interest and gain experience in computers, arts, crafts, music, or physical activity.
• Obtain certification for specialized areas including Child Life Specialist or Child Advocacy.

Materials Provided by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer