Human Services Degree: Can I help others and have a rewarding career too?

Human Services Degree: Can I help others and have a rewarding career too?

If you are a high school student, perhaps your have participated in a community service requirement for graduation. While not all high schools have this requirement, community service is strongly encouraged as part of becoming a well-rounded person today. If you have completed your community service requirement and found the experience of helping others or furthering a cause to be personally rewarding but haven’t yet figured out what you’d like to focus on as a career goal, perhaps you should consider an online education in the human services arena.

The human services industry is a growing industry as America ages. Older adults generate the need for adult daycare, meals-on-wheels services, and medical emergency interventions. While some would argue whether or not America is in moral decline, there is no doubt that there is a need for services related to social issues such as teen pregnancies and drug use. As the economy continues to weaken, demand for social services will grow among those who have lost jobs, and even their homes. Overall, the number of jobs in social and human service assistance is expected to rise 34 percent by 2016.

If you are pursuing an online Associate’s degree, online certificates are available in such areas as gerontology or human services. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree will allow you to do counseling, coordinate programs, or manage homes. While many jobs are available in the public sector, private, non-profit groups should not be overlooked as job sources for the human services job seeker.

As with a career in education, before embarking on a human services online education and career path, you should do some research. Volunteer some time with various causes to see which ones resonate the most with your personality. Decide if you would like to be hands-on (counseling) or work in advocacy or management. Thinking about these things will help you tailor your online human services education to get the job you want after graduation. Since you will be dealing extensively with people who are vulnerable in nature, it is important to be sure that you can be patient and understanding as you help them work through their problems. Good problem solving skills are also critical.

For many people a job is just a job. However, an online degree in any aspect of human services will allow you to find gainful employment and the personal fulfillment that comes from knowing you have made a difference in someone else’s life.


 

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