From child welfare to outreach social work, personal care to vocational rehabilitation, the human services industry is more meaningful to our world now than it has ever been. Find out why this career option earns high marks from new graduates and mid-career changers alike.
Human Services Career Profile
The human services industry encompasses a wide range of professional titles that focus on improving the quality of life for the population in general. Workers in this field plan,
organize, and coordinate the activities of social service programs or community outreach organizations. Common job titles may include Program Director, Personal Care Attendant, Director of Child Welfare Services, Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, and Director of Social Services.
A Challenging Career
One of the solid benefits of a career in human services is the sheer demand for the position. A challenging overall job market should prove profitable for human services professionals. Job cuts and higher costs of living are placing a strain on the average American, prompting the need for social services to help ease the difficult transition.
Of course, the social conscience of the position is another big plus. If you want your career to mean more than the figure on your paycheck, human services can give you the opportunity to strengthen your own community. For counselors, rehabilitators, and service providers, job satisfaction should be a major draw.
Human Services in the Numbers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social and human service assistants held about 339,000 jobs in 2006 with over 60 percent employed in the health care and social assistance industries. Not surprisingly, employment of professionals in this industry is expected to increase by nearly 34 percent through 2016. All sectors considered, human services should add about 114,000 new jobs in the coming decade.
Depending on the specialty, salaries vary throughout the field of human services. In 2007, these occupations earned the following median annual salaries:
• Social and human services assistant: $26,630
• Child, family, and school social workers: $38,620
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $36,640
The Human Services Career Path
Perhaps the most attractive feature of this profession is that it traditionally relies on life experiences as much as academic training. A variety of positions in human services usually don't require the advanced degrees that you may find elsewhere in the healthcare industry, for example. The basis for success should be a genuine interest in the well-being of others. And while formal training can make you more competitive in the job market, an extensive educational resume is certainly not a prerequisite for career satisfaction.
If you plan on advancing to leadership positions, advanced degrees are certainly recommended. A bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, or a related humanity is a good place to start. Postgraduate work in business administration or counseling can help you garner the experience needed to manage non-profits or government organizations. Certification with such agencies as the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typically carry a lot of weight.
