Health & Human Services

Those interested in a health and human services career must keep in mind that this field is a very broad one, with numerous professions that fall under the human services umbrella. Just as the possible career options are widely varied, so is the education required in order to move into those positions. For instance, those who intend to work as a marriage and family therapist or a mental health counselor must typically hold a master’s degree, yet those who intend to work as a human services assistant might be able to enter a job with only a high school diploma. It is generally accepted that those who have some higher education, especially in a field that is closely related to their career goals, might have an edge in a competitive job market.

Human services workers might find themselves in a variety of work environments, from halfway houses and group homes to government agencies and private practices. The day-to-day work they do is heavily dependent upon where they are employed. For instance, social workers for child and family services might handle cases concerning family issues, including child abuse, neglect and other problematic issues. Someone who works as a correctional treatment specialist might be face-to-face with convicted felons on a regular basis. Those who work as career counselors can often be found in comfortable offices, meeting with students, graduates and recruiters on a regular basis. Though these jobs might have very different aspects of day-to-day work, they are all providing valuable services to the public.

Those in health and human services might hold a wide variety of jobs, all dedicated to helping others. The work done depends upon the educational path the worker took to get there, the place of employment, the particular needs of communities in that geographical area and other factors that come into play as a health and human services worker advanced through the ranks. Here is an overview of a few of the more popular professions in health and human services, including typical duties:

• Social workers work closely with clients to help them solve specific problems, including providing helpful strategies that might help them modify their behavior or get out of a negative environment.
• Counselors might work with a variety of clients who have varied needs, including those who need career help, marriage or family counseling, mental health counseling, or are dealing with drug and addiction issues.
• Caseworkers might work in government agencies and help individuals take advantage of social services, such as food stamps or Medicaid and look for additional resources that could help those individuals get back on their feet.
• Human service assistants work to support those who need additional help, including those who are suffering from difficult times, whether on a physical, emotional, financial or other level. They work closely with social workers and caseworkers to help individuals get the assistance they need.

Keep in mind that these are simply the most common positions in the field, but this is by no means an exhaustive list. There are numerous jobs in the field that branch out from these and in some cases, they might not be what one would consider a “typical” job in health and human services. Some unusual or unconventional jobs in the field are addressed later throughout the guide.