Human Services

• Counseling
• Psychotherapy
• Case management
• Mental health services
• Physical health and wellness
• Crisis work
• Art therapy
• Music therapy

• Advocacy
• Programming
• Community relations
• Management
• Development/Fundraising
• Grant writing

Employers

• Federal government, including departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Veterans Administration (VA Hospitals)
• State government, including departments of Human Services, Mental Health (community mental health centers, state psychiatric hospitals, facilities for mentally impaired), Justice (probation and parole)
• Local government
• Senior citizens' centers
• United Way agencies
• Social service/nonprofit organizations
• Religiously affiliated service organizations
• Hospitals/healthcare providers
• Private psychiatric facilities
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• College and university counseling centers
• Private practice

Information & Strategies

• Obtain essential practical experience through part-time or summer jobs such as camp counselor, tutor, or resident hall advisor.
• Complete an internship for academic credit.
• Gain experience through volunteering with organizations such as crisis hotlines, Big Brother or Sister, Special Olympics, service fraternities or sororities, etc.
• Many entry-level helping positions require one year of related experience. Volunteer experience and internships can typically fulfill this requirement.
• Learn to work well with different types of people.
• Develop strong communication skills.
• Cultivate the desire to help others.
• Become fluent in a foreign language to serve clients who may not speak English.
• Be willing to relocate for increased job opportunities.
• Become familiar with government hiring procedures.
• Acquire knowledge of government and community resources available for those in need.
• Obtain a graduate degree in psychology, counseling, or social work for positions involving substantive counseling or psychotherapy or for advancement into administrative/supervisory positions.
• Many specialties exist at the graduate level, for example school counseling, mental health counseling, counseling psychology, etc. Pursue particular degrees depending upon interests and career goals.
• Maintain an excellent academic record and seek experiences valued by graduate programs.

Research

• Social research
• Market research
• Data analysis

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government agencies
• National headquarters of nonprofit organizations
• Universities and colleges
• Market research firms
• Market research departments of consumer goods and manufacturing firms
• Consulting firms

Information & Strategies

• Work with a professor on his or her research project.
• Develop strong quantitative and statistical skills. Take additional math and statistics courses.
• Obtain a graduate degree for greater opportunities.
• Obtain related experience. Get a part-time or summer field service position with a market-research firm.
• Get involved in the American Marketing Association.
• Earn a graduate degree in psychology, statistics, or marketing for the greatest number of opportunities.

Education

• Teaching
• Student affairs
• Administration
• Training
• Adult learning

Employers

• Public and private K-12 schools
• Colleges and universities
• Community instruction offered by government or social service agencies (GED classes, life skills, parenting, etc.)

Information & Strategies

• Obtain a teaching certificate for public school positions. Multiple certification will increase marketability. Seek guidance from the education department of your college.
• Earn a doctoral degree for post-secondary teaching.
• Secure strong personal recommendations.
• Volunteer or work as a tutor.
• Gain experience working with children or adolescents.
• Acquire related experience on campus as a resident hall advisor, orientation leader, admissions tour guide, or peer mentor.
• Develop strong communication skills and learn to speak well in front of a group.

Human Resources

• Employment and recruitment
• Labor relations
• Compensation and benefits
• Organizational development
• Training

Employers

• Large companies
• Government agencies
• Staffing and employment services
• Large nonprofit organizations including hospitals and educational institutions

Information & Strategies

• Gain relevant experience in human resources by completing an internship.
• Earn a minor in business or supplement curriculum with business courses.
• Seek leadership positions in student organizations.
• Develop strong computer skills.
• Earn an MBA or a graduate degree in human resources to attain higher level positions.

Business and Industry

• Sales
• Customer service
• Management
• Insurance: claims management, underwriting
• Real estate: sales, property management
• Public relations

Employers

• Service providers
• Wholesalers
• Manufacturers
• Retail stores including department stores, specialty stores, discount stores, super retailers, online retailers
• Call centers
• Financial institutions
• Insurance companies
• Real estate companies
• Property management firms
• Apartment complexes
• Public relations department of large businesses or nonprofit organizations

Information & Strategies

• Develop career goals and seek relevant experiences to prepare for those goals.
• Earn a minor in business or supplement curriculum with business or communication courses.
• Obtain relevant experience through internships or part-time jobs.
• Work a part-time or summer job in a retail store. Demonstrate a willingness to take on additional responsibilities such as assistant manager.
• Participate in student organizations and seek leadership roles.
• Learn to work well with different types of people. Develop a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.
• For sales, develop the ability to work well under pressure and be comfortable in a competitive environment.
• Be willing to start in a management-trainee program or other entry level positions.
• When job searching, seek employers interested in hiring any major.
• Understand the top skills employers desire and be prepared to demonstrate them, such as communication (oral and written), computer, interpersonal, leadership and teamwork, etc.