Have you ever heard people refer to you as a caregiver? Maybe, you need to look at the field of human services. This occupational field includes many careers that attempt to improve the lives of people in a community. This means working to improve a lot of the social problems encompassing today's families and communities. There are many types of jobs that fit into this category, but some broad categories exist. For example, elderly care assistance involves assisting the elderly to maintain as much dignity and independence as their well-being will allow and for as long as possible. Many employed in this field work in assisted care living facilities and nursing homes.
Some focus on the assisting troubled teens with improving their lives as a youth care worker. Those employed in this career often work at treatment facilities or in group homes for troubled youth. Many people in the human services field also go into drug and alcohol treatment and counseling. Individuals in this field assist those with substance abuse problems in seeking treatment and getting on the road to rehabilitation and recovery. Some other common careers in this broad field are social worker and vocational rehabilitation.
Strong Job Outlook for Human Services' Careers
The field of human services is expected to have faster than normal growth over the next decade. The number of private sector jobs is expected to grow by nearly 11 percent a crossed the field as a whole. Those areas that service individuals and families are expected to grow at almost 48 percent, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fields like vocational rehabilitation services are expected to grow at 25 percent. So, there are many great opportunities for job growth in human services.
Great Wage Potential in Human Services
The average annual salary for someone employed in the field of individual and family services and vocational rehabilitations service in 2008 was almost $21,000. Those employed in the field of employment services made almost $22,000 annually. Other areas of the human services arena like those working in substance abuse hospitals and treatment centers made almost $29,000 annually. Those employed in the social services area as managers made about $26.00 per hour. Those working as social workers made about $19.00 per hour. This information was all obtained from the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Generally, those with a bachelors degree or higher and those employed in management areas in the human services area made higher wages then others employed in the same arenas.
Excellent Job Opportunities
There are excellent training programs available for those interested in a career in the vast field of human services. Schools offer both diploma and degree programs in this area. Many schools also offer online classes.
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