A degree in human services entails you should be able to focus on the basic needs, including the health and well-being of people within a community, access to social services and resources, as well as preventing and solving related problems. Working in human services opens the door to various career options. This career path may take you to multiple settings, including schools, government offices, clinics, community centers, and businesses.
In getting a degree in Human Services, you can delve into any career path related to caring for humans in many spheres of life. You must have a passion for helping others in society and also be able to help the government and yourself to improve the community you stay in and, further, the world at large. There is no shortage of opportunities available to you.
If you are passionate about helping others and want to bring about change in your community, a role in health and human services may be an excellent fit for you. This article is about the 20 jobs you can do with a degree in human services and other things you must know.
Table of contents
- What is a human services degree?
- Job Outlook with a Human Services Degree
- 20 Jobs you can do with a Human Services Degree
- 1. Caseworker
- 2. Social Services Manager
- 3. Child welfare specialist
- 4. Adoption services
- 5. Mental health technician
- 6. Correctional treatment specialist
- 7. Elder-care services worker
- 8. Community outreach worker
- 9. Substance abuse counselors
- 10. Social and community service management
- 11. Court support workers
- 12. Social worker
- 13. Family court advocate
- 14. Crisis support worker
- 15. Rehabilitation Counselors
- 16. Case manager
- 17. Health educator
- 18. Youth worker
- 19. Family services advocate
- 20. Domestic violence advocate
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What is a human services degree?
A human services degree is a degree that prepares you to create positive change in society where you are, touch lives positively, and serve communities by connecting underserved populations such as children, the disabled, the elderly, at-risk youth, and those in need with community and family resources and support services. After completing your human services degree, your jobs would mostly be about assisting in meeting basic human needs.
A human services job aims to provide services that can prevent harm, rehabilitate disabilities and improve the overall quality of life for disadvantaged populations. As you go further after you have graduated from the university, you can build yourself and ensure you develop yourself well in a variety of settings, including schools, government agencies, community centers and clinics.
Job Outlook with a Human Services Degree
Opportunities for qualified applicants are expected to be excellent, not only because of projected rapid growth in the occupation but because of substantial replacement needs. Of recent, there has been a surge among counselors in group homes.
After your degree in human services, employment prospects should be favourable in facilities and programs that serve the elderly, mentally impaired, or developmentally disabled.
Adult daycare, a relatively new concept, is expected to expand significantly because of very rapid growth in the number of people of advanced age, together with growing awareness of the value of day programs for adults in need of care and supervision.
As more and more developmentally disabled individuals reach the age of 21 and lose their eligibility for programs and services offered by public schools, the need for community-based alternatives can be expected to grow.
The movement to help the homeless and chronically mentally ill gains momentum, more community-based programs and group residences are constantly established, and demand for human services workers increases accordingly. If you study well in the course of your degree, you a get a very good job with a very good pay. Below are the 20 jobs you can do with a human services degree.
20 Jobs you can do with a Human Services Degree
1. Caseworker
This is the job you can do with a human services degree. As a caseworker, you would work in certain various environments, depending on your skills. There are a variety of places that are available for you to work. There are options to work in a government agency, nonprofit organization, health care facility, or residential center.
The duties of a caseworker can include- assess the needs of your clients, referrals to community agencies, coordination of care providers, listening to client concerns, information sharing. A caseworker is essential in the community and requires excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
A social services manager is an important position in a community. It’s one that improves the welfare of others by leading and coordinating community programs while advocating for the needs of the public.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social services managers earn an average yearly salary of $67,730 in the United States. The federal government employs the highest-paid social services managers who make an average salary of $96,730 a year.
Social services managers can positively impact the communities in which they work by leading programs and organizing initiatives that address the needs of that community.
3. Child welfare specialist
As a child welfare specialist, they would vest you with the responsibility of serving children and families who are in crisis or dealing with extreme problems.
These problems include poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental illness. Though this career path can be rewarding, it will require you to deal with complex situations.
4. Adoption services
This is one job you can get with a human services degree. You would be in charge of identifying adoptive homes for children, assisting adoptive families, establishing medical services, interviewing and assessing families applying to the family’s background, history, financial situation, relationship status.
In the job of a child welfare specialist, you have the opportunity to work in various environments.
5. Mental health technician
This is one of the jobs you can get with a human services degree. Suppose you are compassionate and empathetic and wish to pursue a career as a mental health technician, also known as a psychiatric technician. In that case, your day will be spent tending to patients with physical and emotional needs.
These patients may also deal with mental or cognitive disabilities. Depending on your area of interest, you may work in hospitals, clinics, halfway houses, chemical dependency units or special-needs schools. The annual salary of a mental health technician ranges from $76K.
6. Correctional treatment specialist
This is one job you can get with a human services degree. In becoming a correctional treatment specialist, it would require you to work alongside a department’s probation and parole officers and offer inmates support with counselling, education, and employment plans to prepare them for a successful release into society.
Your job profile would entail interviewing inmates and consulting with correctional officers, supervisory personnel, and clinical psychologists to evaluate an inmate’s progress, studying inmate’s behaviour and writing case plans used in parole hearings. Corrective treatment specialists are essential in ensuring inmates reintegrate into society and contribute to the community’s well-being.
7. Elder-care services worker
This is one job you can get with a human services degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “the share of elderly persons has risen from about 9 per cent of the population to 13 per cent, and is projected to increase to 16 per cent by 2020.”
With this said, elder-care services workers will be in high demand as the population ages. Your job profile as an elder-care service worker would include determining the services required to meet your client’s needs, helping individuals secure funding for the services they require, allowing clients to receive the services they need day-to-day and locating healthcare, transportation, or medical services.
8. Community outreach worker
This is one job you can get with a human services degree. As a community outreach worker, expect to help improve health, education, and safety outcomes in local communities.
They are in high demand in any setting where the goal is to improve the lives of clients or the community. Many Community Outreach Workers will have close contact with clients and perform tasks like offering prevention programs, collecting relevant data, or advocating to local legislators about their target issue.
9. Substance abuse counselors
As a substance abuse collector, you are required to work in health clinics, rehab facilities, and in most non-profit organizations. You would work with those who constantly struggle with using drugs or even alcohol, helping them find freedom from this debilitating disease and achieve or maintain sobriety.
You may be required to work alongside medical professionals in community government offices or addiction rehab facilities. Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $44,630 per year, but they have a much higher 22% expected job demand increase. This is one of the jobs you can get with a human services degree.
This job is essential and can be done with a degree in human services. Now old focus not only on working with people but also on the managing program which has to deal with the society.
A social and community services management career focuses on developing, funding, and analyzing these programs. With an average income of $65,320 per year and a 13% job growth expected by 2028, this field has good potential.
11. Court support workers
As a court support worker, you may be required to work in various settings involving law enforcement. You can work with judges and might even work in places and positions like court advocates, probation officers, parole officers, correctional officers, community correction program workers or even careers in law enforcement.
Some states require additional training and certification before entering career paths, but a bachelor’s degree in human services can launch your career in community-based corrections or court support positions. Though the field has a slower-than-average growth rate of just 3% by 2028, the average income is $53,020 annually, making this a good option.
This is one job you can get with a human services degree. This job is essential as it would launch you into human services proper. It is also one of the top jobs you can get with a human services degree. You would have to be selfless and kind, help those within the community who have the highest need for help.
Depending on you, you may work with government agencies to help homeless or low-income families and individuals. You may also work within schools to assist at-risk children or address addiction or chronic health issues in hospital and clinic settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates the average pay for social workers to be $49,470, with a faster-than-average growth expected by 2028.
13. Family court advocate
A family court advocate is a person who works with families in social services departments and stays with them until they are ready to go to court. You would often be required to do this, mainly for children and adults recovering from molestation or abuse. Your primary goal would be to support the best interests of the children and family in any legal case.
They work to build relationships with their client as they navigate through the legal system and stay with families and their children as they go to court. They may also recommend programs for their clients that can help them achieve their family goals. The average salary for a family court advocate is $35,189 per year. This is one of the jobs you can get with a human services degree.
14. Crisis support worker
Crisis Support Workers are essential for clients in their most significant times of need. When the client has been a victim of a violent crime, domestic violence, or sexual assault, they are faced with coping and healing mentally and physically as well as navigating the legal and logistical aspects to follow.
Crisis Support Workers advocate for the client in their journey. Other crisis work positions specialize in supporting people experiencing grief, mental health crises, or suicidal thoughts. Regardless of the population, you are serving, you may answer hotline calls, meet with clients, run support groups or attend court hearings to support clients.
The average salary for this field is $42,900, though salary ranges vary significantly based on your location. This is one job you can get with a human services degree.
15. Rehabilitation Counselors
In this line of work, you would mainly be required to work with clients who have any form of disabilities, ranging from developmental to emotional or physical disabilities. Your aim would be to help them live as independently as possible based on their physical or mental needs.
Rehabilitation counselors may use their human services training to connect their clients to the community supports they need to live a more fulfilling and independent lifestyle. As a rehabilitation counsellor, you may work in rehab centres, nursing homes, community-based youth organizations, and many other settings where high-risk individuals live or spend time.
This rewarding career field has a 10% expected job growth by 2028. The average income is $35,630 per year. This is one of the jobs you can get with a human services degree.
16. Case manager
This is a growing field within human services. Case Managers perform a combination of duties centred on clinical support, assessment, coordination, and administrative functions.
Your aim would be to find resources for clients to help them achieve their goals or outcomes and can be found in a variety of disciplines like social casework, public health, community nursing, and child and family services. Case Managers are excellent at networking since they often collaborate as part of a support team that includes other service providers across disciplines. These professionals earn an average of $37,050 a year.
17. Health educator
This is another vital work you can get with a degree in health services. You would teach people the behaviours and practices that promote wellness. You can work in community outreach programs, hospitals, and wellness centers. In working, you may also develop and implement different strategies to improve the health of individuals and the community. You would also raise awareness as regards health issues in the society, and also discuss with people, create outreach and conferences to talk about health and how best to live healthily.
18. Youth worker
This is one job you can get with a human services degree. You would be required to help the community members with their social and educational development. You should be able to plan, organize and oversee community programs aimed at young people, usually in informal settings.
Also, expect to work directly with youths, frequently including children. With your degree in human services, you can help them with life skills and healthy relationships and start making decisions that are right for them and their future.
19. Family services advocate
This is one of the jobs you can get with a human services degree. You should expect to assist families with domestic conflicts, creating, providing, and supporting children and minors. A family services advocate mediates and acts as a liaison between families, family-related services, and the community.
They also educate and encourage family members to advocate for their children and family. This job is essential as you would be dealing with the future generation.
20. Domestic violence advocate
This is one job you can get with a human services degree. You are very important because you are to assist survivors of domestic violence in handling the challenges of their situation. You would help them understand their legal rights and often attend court hearings to offer support. Domestic violence advocates provide ongoing support to family members and work closely with human service professionals to coordinate responses to calls regarding domestic violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A degree in human services is worth it.
It takes a maximum of 5years to get a degree in human services, depending on if you are a part-time or full-time student
You would have an estimated national average salary of $76,115 per year. This depends on which of these jobs you choose to pursue.
Cornell University and the University of Penn are the top schools where you can get a human services degree.
Everyone expects you to be selfless and kind all the time.
Conclusion
If you have studied and have a degree in human services but do not know what jobs will be available after graduation, they have been listed here. Also, most of these jobs are more emotionally than financially rewarding. A human services degree would give you the power to help people when they need it most.
With any of the careers on this list, you will devote your time to helping your community, one family or citizen at a time. A career in human services gives you a chance to improve the well-being of your community. These jobs offer an opportunity for direct involvement in improving the quality of life for a population, one person at a time.
References
- zippia.com/human-services-major/
- saintleo.edu/blog/top-career-tracks-for-human-services-majors/
- worldwidelearn.com/guide-to/social-science/human-services-
- indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/jobs-for-human-services/
