What can I do with this degree? |
SOCIAL SERVICES/ NONPROFIT
- 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.
|
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/ CORRECTIONS
- 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.
|
GERONTOLOGY
- Advocacy
- Counseling
- Case Management
- Programming
- Public Policy
|
- 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.
|
CHILD WELFARE
- Case Management
- Advocacy
- Service Coordination
|
- 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.
|
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
- Case Management
- Advocacy
- Program Planning and Evaluation
- Policy Development
- Rehabilitation
|
- 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.
|
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.
|
ADMINISTRATION
- 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.
|
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.
|
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
|
- 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.
|
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2003) |
|
|
