Human Development is a versatile degree that can lead to jobs and careers in many different areas. Visit the department website, watch the videos below, or scroll down and select an option under Related Career Fields to see more information about potential careers you can pursue.
Human Development
Related Career Fields
Select a career field below to see some of the various areas it encompasses, types of employers, and some sample occupations.
Preschool/Day Care
Career Areas
- Teaching
- Administration
Employers
- Church/religious organizations
- Montessori schools
- Private, public, franchise, and corporate daycare centers
- Private homes
- Family daycare
- Extended school programs
General Information
- Develop physical stamina for working with children.
- Acquire certification/licensing for daycare and public school teaching.
Community Services
Employers
- Community centers
- YMCA, YWCA
- Consumer protection agencies
- Summer camp programs
- Adult and child daycare providers
- Programs servicing children and adults with special needs
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation organizations
- Retirement homes
- Travel agencies
- Insurance companies
- Church/religious organizations
General Information
- Seek related work experience particularly summer camps or special needs areas.
- Obtain Child Life Certification for some areas.
Social Services
Employers
- Profit & nonprofit organizations geared to services for children, youth, families or senior citizens
- Adult and child daycare providers
- Senior citizens’ programs
- Group homes
- Half-way houses
- Youth services agencies
- Federal, state and local government particularly Departments of Welfare and Health
- Foundations and funding organizations
General Information
- Take counseling/social work courses as minor or double major.
- Obtain a master’s degree in counseling, social work or rehabilitation counseling to provide therapy.
- Get a graduate degree for most administrative positions.
- Learn federal, state and local government application process.
Education
Career Areas
- Teaching
- Research
- Counseling
- Administration
- Home Economics
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Parent-Child Education
- Curriculum Development
- Early Childhood Special Education
Employers
- Public and private schools K-12
- Public preschool programs, e.g., Head Start
- Private preschool programs
- Adult education programs
- Colleges and universities
- Programs servicing children and adults with special needs
- Montessori schools
- Government
General Information
- Acquire certification/licensing for public school teaching K-12.
- Obtain Ph.D. for college and university teaching and research.
- Acquire certification for daycare and parent-child education.
- Obtain a graduate degree for counseling and administrative positions.
- Learn federal and state government job application process.
- Double major in Special Education.
Medical
Career Areas
- Social Services
- Childcare Programs
- Advocacy
- Education
Employers
- Hospitals
- Healthcare facilities
- Mental health organizations
- Health and wellness agencies
- Hospices
General Information
- Take counseling/social work courses.
- May need a master’s degree in counseling, social work or specialized area.
- Obtain experience in advocacy.
- Acquire licensing/certification for some areas.
Business
Career Areas
- Management
- Sales
- Consulting
- Credit Departments
- Staff Benefits
- Marketing Research
Employers
- Corporate care for children and adults
- Daycare facilities
- Department and retail stores
- Manufacturing companies of children’s clothes, toys, furniture and food
- Insurance companies
- Banks and financial institutions
General Information
- Obtain a minor in business.
- Get related experience.
- Secure leadership positions on campus.
- Develop business skill in finance, accounting, marketing/sales, taxes, and bookkeeping.
Communications
Career Areas
- Journalism
- Advertising
- Public Relations
- Writing/Editing
- Research
Employers
- Advertising agencies
- Book publishers
- Trade associations
- Radio and TV stations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
- Manufacturers of related goods
- Newspapers and magazines, particularly those geared to children/family
General Information
- Minor or double major in journalism.
- Develop excellent grammar, verbal and writing skills.
- Submit articles/books for publication.
Government
Career Areas
- Human/Social Services
- Rehabilitation
- Home Economics
- Legislation
Employers
- Federal, state and local government agencies including:
- Mental health agencies
- Military child care programs
- Overseas child care and education programs
- Criminal justice system
- Health and wellness agencies
- Women’s protective agencies
- Departments of Health, Education and Welfare, Sanitation, Fire/Safety, Nutrition, Cooperative Extension
- Vocational rehabilitation
General Information
- Learn federal, state and local job application procedures.
- Take additional courses in area of interest.
Join Organizations
Being active in both student and professional organizations can help boost your career. You'll have the opportunity to network with and learn from peers, mentors, and professionals. Working within these groups helps build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. You'll gain hands-on experience, showing employers your proactive attitude and commitment to growth, making you a stronger job candidate.
Student Organizations
Check out the organizations listed below, search Laker Life, or talk with a Career Coach to find others.
Search for Employers
General Guidelines and Strategies
- A bachelor’s degree is sufficient for entry-level positions.
- Licensure obtained in five–year program is required for teaching positions.
- A Ph.D. is required for college teaching and advanced research positions.
- A master’s degree or Ph.D. is often needed for administrative and supervisory positions.
- Obtain part-time, summer, internship or volunteer experience in childcare, schools, hospitals, camps, overseas programs, advocacy/service-oriented programs dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse, family violence, aging, poor, disabled, etc.
- Additional or specialized training qualifies for higher paying and more responsible positions.
- Advanced degrees are essential for clinical and therapeutic counseling positions.
- Obtain information on certification for specialized areas including Child Life Specialist, Child Advocacy.
- Develop interest and gain experience in computers, arts, crafts, music, etc.
- Obtain certification in CPR, safety, and first aid for adults, children, and infants.
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