Human Services

Career Opportunities with a Major in Human Services

Many jobs require a college educated individual. College graduates can use their education in a wide variety of occupations.

The field of Human Services prepares students for careers in the helping professions: assisting individuals, couples and families meet the challenges of living throughout the life cycle. The core curriculum offers courses in the theory and practice of mental health counseling, including applied behavioral analysis, small group dynamics, ehtical and legal issues, psychopathology and the mental health clinician, and practicum and internship experiences where students apply the theory have studied thus developing their application skills in human service work settings. Counseling substance abusers and victims or perpetrators of domestic violence; working with high-risk youth, the chronically mentally ill, the developmentally delayed, or geriatric populations; and managing nonprofit organizations are only a few of the available vocations for human service professionals.

SKILLS RELATED TO HUMAN SERVICES

• Sound decision-making abilities

• Proficient in oral and written communications and ability to work well with others

• Ability to work well under pressure

• Proficient in interpersonal communication

• Thorough knowledge of community resources

• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations

• Ability to interact effectively with people of different backgrounds in various situations

• Understanding of human behavior

• Familiarity of human services' theories, practices, and trends

• Ability to organize and evaluate interviews and testing sessions

• Ability and desire to help all kinds of people make decisions, discuss alternatives, and accept consequences

• Ability to assist people in examining their interests, abilities, and goals

• Ability to speak clearly and express ideas in an understandable manner

• Willingness to stay current with new counseling techniques and materials

• Ability to work in one-on-one and group situations

• Patience with people who are under emotional and/or mental stress

The following list is a representative sample of job titles for individuals with a Human Services major. The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which Human Services majors may consider.

Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor's degree.

EMPLOYERS IN HUMAN SERVICES

• Addictions Research Centers and Facilities

• Correctional Facilities

• Counseling Agencies

• Colleges/Universities

• Employee Assistance Programs

• Government Agencies

• Health Centers

• Hospitals

• Mental Health Organizations

• Non-Profit Organizations

• Senior Citizens Centers

• Schools

• Social Service Agencies

• Youth Programs

WEB SITES RELATED TO HUMAN SERVICES

Metro State Human Services Department Website

• Administration for Children and Families

• Assessing the New Federalism (The Urban Institute)

• The Annie E. Casey Foundation

• Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)

• Child Welfare Institute

• Child Welfare League of America

• Colorado Department of Human Services

• Economic Success Clearinghouse

• The Finance Project

• FundsNet

• Healthfinder

• Institute for Socioeconomic Studies

• Jobs for the Future

• Joint Center for Poverty Research

• KidsCampaigns

• Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation

• Mathematica Policy Research

• National Center for Family Literacy

• National Child Support Enforcement Association

• National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse

• National Employment Counseling Association

• Onine Health Resources: Addictions

• Research Forum on Children, Families, and the New Federalism

• Sound Partners for Community Health

• Social Service Network

• The Urban Institute

• US Department of Health and Human Services

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS FIELD

• American Humane Association

  http://www.americanhumane.org

• American Public Human Services Association

  http://www.aphsa.org

• Bacchus and Gamma Peer Education Network

  http://bacchusgamma.org/

• Colorado Association of NonProfit Organizations

  http://www.canpo.org/

• National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors

  http://naadac.org/

• National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors

  http://www.nasadad.org

• National Association of Workforce Development Professionals

  http://www.nawdp.org

• National Organization for Human Services

  http://www.nationalhumanservices.org

The above information is collected from alumni surveys of numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.