Human Services Jobs
Working in the human services field can be a rewarding
experience. As the name implies, the field involves various levels of providing
services to people in need. The needs range from financial assistance to
housing assistance, foster care, counseling, substance abuse, health
services—and the list goes on and on. Job opportunities can range from direct
care professionals to clinical psychologists. It really depends on how far you
want to go.
Human services professionals usually (not always) have at
least a four-year degree, typically in the following areas of study.
- Psychology
- Counseling
- Social
Work
- Sociology
- Criminal
Justice
- Education
- Nursing
- Early
Childhood Development
- Gerontology
A master's or doctorate degree in any of these areas can
increase your chances for advancement. You can increase your opportunities by
becoming a licensed provider in your state. A graduate degree is almost a
necessity in today’s competitive job market.
Typical Career Opportunities (Not Limited to This List)
- Counselor
(Licensed or Unlicensed)
- In-Home
Counselor
- Social
Worker (Licensed or Unlicensed)
- School
Social Worker
- School
Guidance Counselor
- Outpatient
Therapist
- Case
Manager
- Probation
Officer
- Nurse
- Behavioral
Specialist
- Substance
Abuse Counselor
- Eligibility
Specialist
- Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist
Typical Career Challenges
Human services positions typically involve caseloads that
can range from 30 clients to over 100 clients, depending on the position.
Eligibility workers in local social services agencies typically have the
highest caseloads. I personally have a caseload of 30 high-intensity clients.
In addition to high caseloads, many, if not all, of these
positions are monitored by some state and/or local regulatory agency. Most
agencies (public and private) that provide human services depend on some form
of public funding from the federal, state, and local government. In most
instances, the state requires documentation to be completed in a particular
timeframe. In addition to the state deadlines, local deadlines are even more
rigid to avoid Medicaid audits and paybacks.
When I first became interested in psychology and counseling,
I always imagined myself sitting in a chair and talking to someone lying on a
couch. That’s not exactly how it turned out, but I can’t imagine doing anything
else. I help people in need every day, and I feel like I’m making a difference
in my community.
Five Things to Know When Pursuing a Career in the Human
Services Field
If you're interested in a career in human services, you'll
want to keep the following five things in mind:
1. Be Prepared to Write
Documentation is one of the most critical aspects of the
human services field. As the old saying goes, "If it isn’t in writing, it
didn’t happen". Documentation of services that are provided is tied to
funding and serves as evidence that services have been provided in accordance
with any treatment or service plan. Documentation such as progress notes,
quarterly reports, and assessments are also subject to subpoena and can be used
as evidence in court.
2. Be Prepared to Handle People With Difficult Behaviors
Many positions in the human services field require training
in behavioral management. Depending on the position, you may encounter clients
with aggressive behaviors. You may need to have additional training in specific
physical techniques to manage aggressive behaviors. These trainings are usually
necessary if you're working in a psychiatric hospital or other residential
setting.
3. Stress Is Part of the Profession
I can’t think of any stress-free profession. Stress is
natural in the human service field. In most cases, you’re working with people
who are going through difficult times in their lives, and they depend on your
knowledge and expertise for support. Human service professionals deal with a
great deal of stress that the general public may not realize. We deal with
citizens who are often in crisis on a daily basis. Imagine yourself as an
emergency services clinician dealing with individuals with suicidal and homicidal
thoughts on a daily basis. How about working in a psychiatric facility and
being at risk of being injured on a daily basis? Despite our training, there is
no way to avoid frustration, stress, and feeling burned out. Every profession
has some level of stress. However, stress in the human services field is more
personal when you’re working with children, the elderly, and families in
crisis.
4. Develop Good Time Management Habits
Time management is also a critical component of being
successful in the human services field. As I mentioned earlier, human service
professionals are often faced with heavy caseloads, deadlines, and regulations
from state and local governments. It’s important to develop a plan to
prioritize certain tasks to prevent being overwhelmed.
5. Develop Good Communication Skills
Communication is probably one of the most important skills
needed to be successful in the human services field. Written communication in
the form of assessments and competing reports is necessary to ensure that the
services that were provided are documented appropriately. Oral communication is
equally important. Public speaking and learning to effectively use verbal
communication will give you an even greater edge and increase your likelihood
of advancement.
