Complete Guide to Human Services Careers
Human services is a broad field that offers a wide range of exciting job roles. Completing a human services degree will improve your job outlook and open up many rewarding career opportunities. You can apply your specialist skills to support individuals, groups, and communities within both private and public settings. Working in human services offers dozens of great benefits, but you will be required to complete rigorous training and assessments. Professionals working in human services support people in a meaningful way, so they must be trained to a high standard. The route to certification is long, and you should be prepared to invest time and money to earn the required qualifications. If you believe that a career in human services is right for you, then here is everything you need to know about working in human services.
What are the top careers in human services?
As mentioned, human services is a wide field with a diverse range of job roles on offer. When you complete a human services degree, you can choose to specialize in many different fields. This should allow you to choose an area of human services that is well matched to your skills, interests, and work preferences. You should research different human services positions and pursue a career that will bring you long-term job satisfaction. Work placements and internships will give you hands-on experience and help you narrow down which area of human services you want to work in. Most human services degree programs require a set number of placement hours, although it’s advisable to start building relevant experience as early as possible. You can also find lots of information on different human services roles by searching online or speaking with people who already work in the industry. To give you an idea, here are some of the top careers in human services:
- Social workers – Many graduates with a human services degree start a career as a social worker. Social workers help families and individuals overcome issues such as divorce, substance abuse, and mental illness. They work in a wide variety of public and private settings, which may include prisons, schools, hospitals, and private clinics.
- Counselors – Counselors help people overcome emotional and behavioral problems. They work with individuals, families, and groups, and their main goal is to improve the mental well-being of their clients. Counselors can choose to specialize in a specific area of counseling, such as substance abuse, family support, crisis intervention, or school counseling. Some counselors can apply for an entry-level position once they complete a human services degree, although certain specializations and states require a higher qualification, such as a master’s degree.
- Psychologists – Psychologists are responsible for diagnosing and treating a variety of mental and emotional disorders. They help people overcome life’s challenges and work with patients to improve their mental health and well-being. Most psychologists who complete a human services degree go on to earn a master’s program or a Doctor of Philosophy before applying for a state license.
- Case managers – Case management is a growing field in the human services sector. Case managers help people overcome difficulties in their lives by connecting them with the right support services and resources. The role and responsibilities of a case manager differ depending on the field that they work in. You can look at this article by verywellhealth.com for more information on the duties and types of case managers.
What are the benefits of working in human services?
Human services is an exciting and dynamic field with a lot to offer job seekers. More and more graduates are choosing to study a human services degree to pursue a career in this rewarding industry. Below are some of the major benefits of working in human services:
Job diversity
One of the major advantages of working in human services is that there are so many job roles on offer. You can choose to specialize in an area of interest and pick a work setting that suits your preferences. Most students decide to specialize while studying for a human services degree, but it is possible to change to a new area of human services later in your career. Having such great job diversity keeps things exciting and means that students with a human services degree have a fantastic career outlook.
Help others
Many people choose to study for a human services degree because they want to do a job that helps others. Professionals working in human services, such as social workers and counselors, help people in a significant and meaningful way. Having a positive impact at work gives people a sense of purpose and often leads to high job satisfaction. According to the American Psychological Association, studies have found a link between doing meaningful work and having higher job satisfaction in the workplace. The opportunity to help others is a key reason why people choose to study for a human services degree and pursue a career in the human services industry.
Growing field
Another great reason to work in human services is that the industry is growing. Students with a human services degree are in high demand and have an excellent job outlook. For instance, job opportunities for human service assistants are expected to grow by 17% in the next ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is much higher than the average growth expected across all other occupations. Human service professionals are in high demand, which means that they enjoy good job security and career advancement opportunities.
How do I start a career in human services?
If you have decided that a career in human services is the best option for you, then you must understand how to become qualified and land your ideal role. Training to become a human services professionals takes time, and most roles will require you to earn a human services degree. Here are some essential steps that you will need to complete if you want to start a career in human services.
Get hands-on experience
The duties and responsibilities that you have will depend on the type of human services that you choose to work in. You must have a clear understanding of the role and pick an area that is well matched to your skills and qualifications. One of the best ways to learn about the human services industry is by completing work placements. This will give you hands-on experience and expand your skills and knowledge. You will likely be required to complete a certain number of placement hours while studying for your human services degree. However, it is recommended that you start building your experience at the earliest opportunity. This will set you apart from your peers and give you a competitive advantage when you start applying for jobs. Take a look at this guide for advice on how to gain relevant human services experience.
Complete a human services degree
Most job roles in human services will require you to complete a human services degree. Most full-time human services degree programs take four years to complete. The course is designed to prepare you for a wide range of human services roles, and you will cover key topics such as human behavior, research design, communication, and social work. If you have commitments preventing you from attending a campus-based course, then you should consider enrolling in an online human services degree. This will allow you to earn your human services degree at your own pace and fit learning around your existing routines.
Choose a specialization
You should go into your human services degree program with a good idea about which area of human services you want to specialize in. Career research and work placements should help you determine which area of human services will be best suited to you. When choosing a specialization, make sure that you consider things such as job outlook, potential salary, and working conditions.
Earn additional qualifications
You may be able to apply for some human services roles once you have completed a human services degree and gained relevant experience. However, some positions require a higher qualification like a Master’s degree or a Ph.D. The qualification requirements for human services jobs vary depending on the type of role that you’re hoping to secure. For instance, most psychologists need a Master’s or Ph.D. before meeting the criteria to apply for a state license.
Apply for a state license
Most human service professionals need to apply for a license before being allowed to practice. This includes social workers, counselors, and psychologists. The criteria for licensure will depend on the role that you are applying for and may also be influenced by where you live. If you are hoping to become a qualified social worker, then you will need to complete an exam and apply for a license after you finished your human services degree. You will also need to demonstrate a certain level of experience before being granted a license to practice. Do your research beforehand and make sure that you understand what you need to do to achieve license status.
Secure an entry-level position
When you are nearing the completion of your human services degree, you should start looking for entry-level positions in your local area. Some organizations hire months in advance, so it’s best to start your job search early. Some popular entry-level human services jobs are home health aides, social service assistants, and childcare workers. With experience, you should be able to move up the career ladder and apply for more senior positions. Make sure that you consider things like location, salary potential, job sector, and advancement opportunities when you start applying for entry-level positions. Your first job must offer the support that you will need to grow and thrive in your chosen field.
Graduates with a human services degree are in high demand, but there is still competition for the top positions. You should take steps to improve your resume and gain a competitive edge. Take the time to write a standout resume that highlights your top-notch skills and abilities. If you struggle with CV writing, then you can download a CV template online or ask a specialist to review your CV and offer expert advice. You can boost your chances of securing a top role by demonstrating your passion for the industry. For instance, you could volunteer in a social setting or community setting during your spare time.
Know the signs of burnout
Working in human services can be rewarding, but it also has its challenging. Human service professionals are often faced with stressful and high-pressure situations. Too much stress can harm your productivity and damage your physical and mental health. You must be aware of these challenges and find ways to relieve work stress. One of the easiest ways to avoid burnout is by maintaining a good work-life balance. Schedule downtime into your day and take the time to relax and spend quality time with family and friends. Making extra time for relaxation should improve your physical and mental health and boost your overall sense of well-being. If you start to feel overwhelmed or stressed at work, then speak with your manager to see what they can do to support you in the workplace. Working as a human services professional can be physically and emotionally draining, and you should never be afraid to reach out and ask for support if you need it.
Conclusion
Working in human services will allow you to help people in need and make a positive impact on your local community. Human services professionals enjoy good job satisfaction and plenty of additional benefits like high salary potential and excellent job security. Becoming a human services professional takes time, and you will need to complete higher qualifications like a human services degree. Completing the required training is a big investment, but for many graduates, it leads to a long and rewarding career. If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in human services, then do lots of research and use the above advice to help you plan your career journey.