What do human services professionals do?
Human services professionals work to enhance and protect the well-being of communities and individuals who may not be able to help themselves. Most human services are provided through the sponsorship of government agencies or private donations, so they can only extend a helping hand as far as their funding stretches. In the wake of tragic events like September 11th, the Asia tsunami, or Hurricane Katrina, there are more needs in this field than any agency could offer. Most organizations in the field of human service specialize in a particular type of aid. Some offer counseling, money and food, while others offer their time helping in clean-up or repair efforts. If your heart is burdened for helping those in need, there is definitely a place for you to contribute in the field of human services.
What different career paths are there in the field of human services?
Full time work in the human services includes a great amount of emotional strain and requires highly specialized training in order to survive in the field. Social workers, counselors and psychologists are among the most common pathways taken in human services. There are many different variations on these positions, however, that can make for innumerable job descriptions in this field. Social workers and mental health workers usually work with a particular population of people, such as teenagers, families, single moms, senior citizens, homeless people, men, women, or kids. Usually a social worker or mental health worker is assigned to a number of individual case files. The goal in human services is not only to serve by helping people out of desperate situations, but to help individuals be able to serve themselves to a better life. Though there are specific positions that specialize in human services work, people from many different walks of life, like ministry workers, construction workers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, and business professionals, can all led a helping hand to the needs of human services organizations.
How does someone get into a career in human services?
Most entry level positions, such as social workers and counselors, require professionals to have at least a bachelor�s degree. Management positions or positions that involve more advanced case work usually require workers to have a master�s degree. There are some positions available in the fields that don�t require these degrees, however. For example, a social service agency which serves a foreign speaking population may hire and train someone who is bilingual. Beyond the mainstream career paths in this field, there are many opportunities for people of any age, or education to step in and help out. From volunteering at the local food shelter, to answering phones in a human services agency, every person helping out is a drop in the bucket that culminates into a pool of people being helped through human services organizations.
How much money do professionals working in the field of human services make?
