Administration and planning
Case management
Advocacy
Program evaluation
Policy development
Volunteer coordination
Prevention
Public welfare agencies
Federal, state, and local government:
Administrative agencies
Department of Human Services
Department of Education
Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of Justice
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
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.
Counseling/Therapy
Rehabilitation
Probation
Parole
Youth Services
Victim assistance
Case management
Prisons and correctional facilities
Courts
Police departments
Probation and parole offices
Victim services organizations
Private treatment facilities
Transitional living facilities and halfway houses
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.
Case management
Advocacy
Service coordination
Youth programming and mentoring
Therapeutic recreation
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)
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.
Counseling
Case management
Residential management
Outpatient management
Transportation
Program development and evaluation
Assessment
Spiritual advising
Therapeutic recreation
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
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).
Case management
Advocacy
Program planning and evaluation
Policy development
Rehabilitation
Research
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
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.
Advocacy
Administration
Counseling
Case management
Programming
Public policy
Hospitals
Nursing and retirement homes
Senior centers
Assisted and independent living facilities
Hospice
Home healthcare agencies
Community agencies serving the elderly
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.
Case management
Counseling
Program development
Administration
Rehabilitation
Prevention
Education
Research
Hospice care
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
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.
Management
Policy development
Event planning
Supervision
Development
Budgeting
Grant writing
Public relations
Marketing
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
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.
Human resources
Management
Market research
Customer service
Sales
Public relations
Corporate giving
Development
Financial counseling
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)
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.
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.