Embarking on a career in health and human services offers a fulfilling journey of aiding individuals and communities in achieving optimal mental, physical, and emotional well-being. If you have a passion for helping others and aspire to make a difference in wellness, a degree in health and human services might be your gateway. In this article, we explore the realm of health and human services degrees, shedding light on what it entails and presenting 18 diverse career paths you can pursue post-graduation.
A health and human services degree is a higher education credential that focuses on support programs. Available at various levels, including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, this degree encompasses a broad spectrum of supportive services such as nutrition, mental and physical health, foster or adoption care, and rehabilitation. Professionals holding a health and human services degree typically work with specific populations like the elderly, people with disabilities, children, or those with limited access to community resources.
18 Health and Human Services Degree Jobs
Here are 18 diverse careers open to graduates with varying levels of a health and human services degree:
1. Health Educator
– National average salary: $27,292 per year
– Primary duties: Educate individuals and communities on habits promoting mental and physical wellness. Evaluate health needs, devise personalized strategies, and advocate for better community health resources.
2. Community Health Worker
– National average salary: $32,309 per year
– Primary duties: Analyze, advocate for, and improve health care and social service programs within a community. Connect individuals to needed services and offer basic health care services.
3. Child Advocate
– National average salary: $38,743 per year
– Primary duties: Focus on connecting children to support programs, especially those in the foster system. Evaluate home environments, build relationships with children, and accompany clients to legal proceedings.
4. Case Manager
– National average salary: $39,100 per year
– Primary duties: Analyze individual needs and connect clients to social services programs. Communicate regularly with clients to reevaluate needs and ensure recommended services are received.
5. Nutritionist
– National average salary: $40,573 per year
– Primary duties: Assist clients with health needs by promoting and advising on nutrients, calories, meal plans, and dietary issues. Create individualized treatment plans and monitor progress.
6. Rehabilitation Specialist
– National average salary: $41,293 per year
– Primary duties: Assist people with unique physical or mental health issues in participating in societal groups or activities. Focus on job placement or involvement in social activities.
7. Juvenile Correctional Officer
– National average salary: $41,386 per year
– Primary duties: Work with minors who have been incarcerated. Maintain facility peace, recordkeeping, and act as role models. Opportunities in regional, state, or federal correctional facilities.
8. Probation Officer
– National average salary: $43,493 per year
– Primary duties: Oversee individuals serving probationary periods. Monitor progress, evaluate needs, and connect clients to support services.
9. Substance Abuse Counselor
– National average salary: $46,665 per year
– Primary duties: Help individuals with addiction-related disorders. Listen to clients, discuss coping methods, and devise personalized treatment strategies.
10. Intervention Specialist
– National average salary: $47,817 per year
– Primary duties: Work with children with special needs or social challenges. Evaluate needs, design customized educational programs, and assist educators in implementation.
11. School Counselor
– National average salary: $52,287 per year
– Primary duties: Assist students in achieving educational, career, personal, and social success. Work in elementary, middle, or high schools and organize school events.
12. Grant Writer
– National average salary: $52,480 per year
– Primary duties: Plan, draft, edit, and submit funding proposals. Write grants on behalf of organizations, track funding opportunities, and host fundraisers.
13. Social Worker
– National average salary: $58,143 per year
– Primary duties: Help individuals, families, or communities cope with various challenges. Analyze unique needs, advise on support services, and ensure adherence to regulations.
14. Family Therapist
– National average salary: $61,360 per year
– Primary duties: Counsel individuals, couples, and families on interpersonal relationships. Help clients develop strategies for managing challenges and cope with larger issues.
15. Mental Health Technician
– National average salary: $76,039 per year
– Primary duties: Help individuals with mental health concerns. Work closely with health professionals, administer medications, offer counseling, and check vital signs.
16. Occupational Therapist
– National average salary: $83,453 per year
– Primary duties: Help patients learn or recover physical skills for everyday life. Work with those with physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, or recovering from major injuries.
17. Speech Pathologist
– National average salary: $85,581 per year
– Primary duties: Work with people with communication or swallowing challenges. Analyze issues, devise treatment plans, and teach exercises.
18. Behavioral Specialist
– National average salary: $116,589 per year
– Primary duties: Treat people with behavioral disorders, mental health issues, developmental conditions, and related challenges affecting learning or social development. Conduct assessments, design plans, and implement behavioral strategies.
A health and human services degree opens doors to a plethora of impactful careers. From educating communities to counseling families, the diverse range of opportunities reflects the breadth and significance of this field. Whether you’re drawn to mental health, community advocacy, or educational support, a health and human services degree equips you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities.
