• Administration and Planning
• Case Management
• Advocacy
• Program Evaluation
• Policy Development
• Volunteer Coordination
   

• Public welfare agencies
• Federal, state, and local government
• Private social service agencies
• Group homes
• Religiously affiliated organizations
• Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers 
   

• 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.

• Counseling/Therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Probation
• Parole
• Youth Services
• Victim Assistance
   

• Prisons and correctional facilities
• Courts
• Police departments
• Probation and parole offices
• Victim services organizations
   

• 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.

AREAS
GERONTOLOGY

• Advocacy
• Counseling
• Case Management
• Programming
• Public Policy

Employers

• Hospitals
• Nursing and retirement homes
• Senior centers
• Hospice
   

• Gerontology involves working with older adults, healthy or ill, and their families.
• Become involved with programs or organizations designed for senior citizens.

AREAS
CHILD WELFARE

• Case Management
• Advocacy
• Service Coordination

Employers

• Public or private child welfare agencies
• Adoption agencies
• Foster care organizations
• Day care centers and nursery schools
• Recreational facilities (i.e., YMCA or YWCA)
• Head Start programs
   

• 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, or other agencies that aid youth and children.
• Take additional courses in child development or early childhood education.

AREAS
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

• Case Management
• Advocacy
• Program Planning and Evaluation
• Policy Development
• Rehabilitation

Employers

• Community residential homes
• State and local agencies
• Medical facilities
• Mental health organizations
• Schools
• Employment agencies
• Vocational Rehabilitation
   

• 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.
• Gain experience with and knowledge of a variety of disabilities.
• 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.

AREAS
HEALTH CARE

• Case Management
• Counseling
• Program Development
• Administration
• Rehabilitation

• Hospitals
• Community health centers
• Outpatient clinics
• Public health programs
• Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
• Nursing homes
• Group homes
• Hospice
   

• Human services workers in health care 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 nursing or health.
• Complete appropriate prerequisites for entrance into professional programs such as occupational therapy, physician's assistant, or physical therapy.

• Management
• Policy Development
• Planning
   

• Family service agencies
• Child welfare departments
• Social service agencies
• State mental health departments
• Employee assistance programs
• Probation departments
• Public interest groups
• Local, state, and federal government
   

• Administrators are involved with planning, budgeting, public relations, management, fund raising, and other crucial operating responsibilities that keep an organization functioning.
• 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.
• Supplement curriculum with course work in areas such as public relations, advertising, accounting, or management.

AREAS
EDUCATION  

• Teaching
• Interpreting
• Case Management
• Student Affairs
   

• Universities and colleges
• Public (K-12) school systems
• Private (K-12) school systems
• Human service agencies
• Private learning centers
• Free-lance tutors or consultants
   

• Human services graduates working in education focus on providing instruction for a wide range of students including children with disabilities as well as adult community members.
• Learn American Sign Language and manually coded forms of English for specialized opportunities.
• Volunteer in schools or programs that serve disabled children. Obtain appropriate teacher licensure for public school teaching opportunities.
• Earn a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, mental health counseling, school counseling, social work, or college student personnel.
• Seek campus leadership positions such as peer mentor or resident assistant.
• Obtain a doctorate degree for teaching and research opportunities in colleges and universities.

AREAS
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY  

• Human Resources
• Management
• Sales
• Public Relations
• Corporate Giving
• Development
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Financial Counseling
   

• Business firms in various industries
• Developers of educational products
• National foundations and associations
   

• 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.
• Gain experience through part-time jobs, summer jobs, and internships in business environments.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• 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 diverse range of clients and client systems including individuals, families, groups, communities, and minorities.