Do you have a passion for helping others in the community, and do you see yourself working hard to improve the lives of families around you? If so, then human services careers might be the perfect fit. This rewarding and challenging career field gives you the chance to directly support people in need in your community.
Human Services Career List
Working in human services opens the door to a wide range of career options. This career path may take you to a variety of settings, including schools, government offices, clinics, community centers, and even businesses. While there are many career opportunities within this field, here are 10 of the best options that graduates of human services counseling degree programs can consider.
1. Case Worker
Case workers perform duties in a variety of settings and have the opportunity to work with different specialized populations. They are in high demand in non-profit organizations as well as in for-profit businesses, and the positions focus on building rapport with the identified clients while delivering services. Case Workers can be found in residential settings, in-home programs, or office-based services, working in a variety of programs that address different social problems. These programs may be preventative or intervention-based for voluntary or mandated clients. Case Workers perform tasks like connecting clients with resources and developing treatment or service plans that align with the goals of the program. Case Worker positions are a great starting point for a rewarding career and you can earn an average of $35,060 a year with a 17% job growth rate! The good news is that Case Workers are often able to transition into management positions with hard work, on-the-job experience and training.
2. Community Outreach Worker
Community Outreach Workers play an important role in helping to 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. Many of these professionals also work as part of a team with an on-the-job master’s level mentor or supervisor. Community Outreach Workers earn an average of $46,910 annually and can expect a faster than average job growth rate of 13%.
3. Substance Abuse Counselors
Substance Abuse Counselors may also work in health clinics, rehab facilities, or within non-profit organizations. These professionals work with those struggling with substance use disorders, helping them find freedom from this debilitating disease and achieve or maintain sobriety. These specialized counselors may work alongside medical professionals, in community government offices, or in 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. If Substance Abuse counseling is your chosen career field, you can also continue on in a master’s degree program to become a licensed clinician that specializes in substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation.
4. Social and Community Service Management
Today’s communities have many services and social programs offered to local citizens and neighborhoods. Some human services careers focus not on working directly with people, but rather on managing these programs. A social and community services management career focuses on developing, funding, and analyzing these types of programs. With an average income of $65,320 per year and a 13% job growth expected by 2028, this field has good potential.
5. Court Support Workers
The field of criminal justice draws many who are looking for human services careers. Court Support Workers perform duties in a variety of settings and may find themselves in 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 into career paths (like probation or parole) 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 per year, making this a good option to consider.
6. Social Worker
While it may seem misleading, graduates of human service programs can often start a career in social work. Some positions specifically require a bachelor’s degree in social work, however, in some cases, a career in a relevant field is appropriate. Social workers offer assistance to those within the community who have the highest need for help. They may work with government agencies to help homeless or low-income families and individuals. They may work within schools to assist at-risk children. They may 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.
7. Family Court Advocate
Family court advocates work with families in social services departments or crisis intervention programs and stay with them if they need to go to court. This often occurs with children in the foster care system, or those recovering from domestic violence or sexual assault incidents. The main goal of a family court advocate is 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.
8. Crisis Support Worker
Crisis Support Workers play an important role 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 in these situations act as a supportive counselor (not to be confused with a licensed counseling professional) and may also 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 find yourself answering hotline calls, meeting with clients, running support groups or attending court hearings to support clients. The average salary for this field is $42,900, though salary ranges vary significantly based on your location.
9. Rehabilitation Counselors
Rehabilitation counselors work with clients who have developmental, emotional, or physical disabilities. Their goal is to help these clients 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. These professionals may work in rehab centers, 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.
10. Case Manager
Case management, sometimes known as care management, is a growing field within human services. Case Managers perform a combination of duties centered around clinical support, assessment, coordination, and administrative functions. Their primary task is 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.
Many of the human services jobs on this list are financially rewarding, but all are emotionally rewarding. Health and human services careers give you the power to help people when they need it most. With any of the careers on this list, you will be able to devote your time to helping your community, one family or citizen at a time.
Many positions in the health and human services field may require certification or licensure. This requirement applies to both online and in-person programs. Requirements for credentialing may vary from state to state. Students must contact the credentialing boards in the states in which they intend to work to determine any certification or licensure requirements.
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Please note jobs, career outcomes, and/or salaries highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs, career outcomes, and/or salaries expected from any Post University program. To learn more about Post University’s programs and their outcomes please fill out a form to speak with an admissions representative.