Is a Career in Human Services the Right Path for You?
Do you have a deep desire to help those in need? Have you been told that you’re a good listener? Do you often strive to see from another person’s point of view? Are you a good communicator? Does bonding with others come easily to you?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, a career in human services may be a perfect fit for you! Participating in a job that helps others can increase your job satisfaction and make your work more meaningful.1 Read below to see if you may be interested in pursuing a career in human services.
Human Service Career Defined
First, let’s get a better understanding of what a human service career is. The National Organization for Human Services describes human services as a field that “[approaches] the objective of meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and [maintains] a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations.” 2 What an incredible mission. While there are so many benefits to choosing a career in human services, it takes a special type of person to work in this field. A human service professional possesses knowledge and skills that allow them to better understand others.3 People who choose this career path have a desire to help the individuals and companies they serve to succeed and reach their highest potential.
Perks of Choosing a Human Service Career
There are countless advantages of working in the field of human services. Below are just a few of the many benefits!
Transferable Skills
One of the beauties of becoming a human service professional is that many, if not all of the skills you will learn and use are transferrable, meaning their benefits carry over into different areas of life. Empathy, active listening, conflict resolution, patience, organization, excellent communication, and problem-solving are just a few of the countless transferable skills that come from this profession. Not to mention the relational skills you will gain from working closely with people every single day!
Abundance of Opportunity
Another pro about choosing a career in human services is that the field is wide open. You will not feel boxed in, in fact, you will experience just the opposite feeling! There are boundless opportunities, specialties, and niches within this field. We will discuss these options in further detail below. Even if you are coming from a previous job that does not fall into the field of human services, there is a high chance you will bring over many skills that will help you succeed!
Range of Experience
Didn’t get a degree in human services? That’s okay! While there are many human service positions that require a specific degree, there are also plenty of entry-level opportunities with little to no experience required. If you are willing to learn, have a positive attitude, and use what you already know to benefit those around you, you are already well on your way to thriving in this field. With that being said, thorough training is crucial to success. If you are pursuing an entry-level position, make sure you ask about their training and mentorship programs.
Meaningful Work
When you choose a career in human services, you have the opportunity to participate in work that makes a positive impact on the life of another. We all crave work that has meaning and purpose. Human service professionals get to experience that kind of work every day.
The Arc is an organization that supports individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities in their pursuit of a fulfilling life. Thanks to the help of staff members at The Arc, program participants like Andrew are not only able to find jobs that are a good fit, but they are able to excel in their careers. Check out the immense impact you can make on someone’s life when you choose a career in human services by reading more of Andrew’s story here.
Human Service Job Examples
Now that we’ve established what a human service career is and why it’s such a great choice, let’s discuss some jobs that fall into this field. If you’ve decided that this profession could be a good fit for you, this list will help you get started on your job search!
Types of Human Service Professionals
As mentioned earlier, the field of human services is wide-open. Below are just a few of the many professions that fall into this category.
- Social Worker
- Direct Support Professional
- Community Outreach Worker
- Caregiver
- Case Manager
- Family Services Advocate
- Counselor
- Disaster Relief Worker
- Public Health Educator
- Primary Care Coordinator
- Housing Program Manager
- Behavioral Therapist
- Patient Companion
- Child Life Specialist
- Personal Care Assistant
- Human Resources Specialist
- Activities Director
- Human Services Coordinator
- Nursing Home Administrator
- Gerontologist
Thinking About a Career in Human Services?
If after reading this article you feel drawn toward the field of human services, you’re in the right place! Here at The Arc, we support people with developmental and intellectual disabilities while cultivating relationships that enrich the community. We focus on the core values of innovation, integrity, respect, quality, and caring to help our program participants live life to the fullest. When you choose to work at The Arc, you’ll learn transferable skills that can carry over into many areas of life, you’ll open yourself up to new opportunities and professional growth, and most importantly, you will engage in work that truly makes a difference in the lives of others. We accept a wide range of experiences and offer paid training!
To learn more about career options at The Arc, click here. We’d love for you to join our team!
Citations
2https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/what-is-human-services
3https://www.humanservicesedu.org/human-services-professional/