Career Definition for Human Service Professions
Human service professions include diverse fields focused on improving the quality of life of the individuals and communities they serve. The National Organization for Human Services, www.nationalhumanservices.org, describes these professionals and paraprofessionals as usually working under the direction of others and directly with the population being served. They also work with social workers, psychologists, and other professionals in government-run and private settings, such as schools, counseling centers, group homes, and social welfare agency offices.
Common careers in human services include:
- Human services technician/assistant
- Social worker
- Community service manager
- School and career counselor
- Substance abuse counselor
To get a job in human services, you'll most likely need to complete at least a bachelor's degree program, although some careers may only require a high school diploma and others may require a master's degree and licensure.
How to Get a Job In Human Services
The education needed for human services work varies, but you'll most likely need to complete a bachelor's degree program, although some careers may only require a high school diploma while others may require a master's degree and licensure. The next sections describe human services training and education requirements. The following sections offer more detail on how to get a job in human services.
Human Services Education Requirements
A high school diploma is the minimum education for human services professions. The education needed for human services work varies with the position. A school counselor will need a bachelor's degree in counseling. A social worker will need a bachelor's or master's in social work. Degrees in allied fields like gerontology or addiction studies may meet some human services requirements. A human services professional can expect to complete on-going employer-provided seminars and classes throughout his or her career.
Human Services Skill Requirements
Meeting human services education requirements is only part of the story. The human services professions require patience and compassion. Because human services professionals are typically responsible for assessing and fulfilling the needs of others, they also benefit from strong analytical and planning skills. Human services education and training requirements vary, but always include a combination of formal education and training.
Career Descriptions
Human Services Technician Job Description
Often called a human services assistant, a human service technician works with social workers and other professionals to assist clients. They work in group homes, state and local government agencies, and nonprofits. They work closely with people and may work some nights or weekends. A high school diploma and some on-the-job training is usually required.
Other careers in this field include:
Social Worker
Those seeking a career helping individuals and families find solutions and resources to improve their lives should consider becoming a social worker. Social workers help their clients apply for welfare benefits, locate mental health and medical services, intervene in cases of abuse or neglect and follow up to evaluate progress. Some social workers also offer counseling to troubled individuals.
Entry-level jobs, such as a caseworker, may only require a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field. Social workers who provide mental health counseling or work in schools must earn a master's degree, and many of these professionals must also obtain state licensure by completing clinical hours and passing an exam.
School and Career Counselor
These human services professionals help their clients prepare for the future. A degree in counseling is required. Most states require licensing or certification. School counselors work in public or private schools helping students master the skills they need to succeed academically. Career counselors generally work in colleges where they help students select a career path.
Social and Community Service Manager
For those wanting to design programs that strengthen communities and individuals, becoming a community services manager may be a good career option. These service managers write grant proposals, oversee staff activities, evaluate program effectiveness by collecting statistics, create budgets and look for improvement options. A bachelor's degree in public administration, social work or a related field is the minimum education to work in this profession. However, employers often prefer candidates with a master's degree.
Substance Abuse Counselor
These professionals help individuals deal with substance abuse issues, either one-on-one or in group settings. A substance abuse counselor may work in a community center, a school, in a prison, or in a human services nonprofit. Some counselors work in private practice as well. A master's in counseling is required.
Career and Economic Outlook
There will be many employment opportunities for human services technicians in the next decade. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov) expects that jobs for social and human services assistants will grow by 17% from 2019 to 2029. Many of these jobs will be created due to the growing elderly population. Though job prospects are many, earnings for social and human service assistants are relatively low. In May 2019, the BLS reported that the median annual salary for these professionals was $35,060.
Other common occupations in human services have above-average prospects but at a wide range of salaries. Social and community service managers earned a median salary of $67,150 in 2019 according to BLS data. The outlook for these workers was excellent, with 17% growth projected from 2019 through 2029.
The BLS predicts job opportunities for all types of social workers will increase by 13% during the 2019 to 2029 decade, with mental health and substance abuse social workers and healthcare workers experiencing the largest growth. According to BLS data, the median salary for social workers was $50,470 in 2019.
School and career counselors earned a median salary of $57,040 in 2019 according to BLS data. The outlook for this occupation is better than average, with growth of 8% projected for 2019 through 2029.
Substance abuse counselors earned a median salary of $46,240 in 2019. The outlook for this job is much better than average with growth projected at 25% from 2019 through 2029.
