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[hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Key Takeaways[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check” marker-color=”secondary”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can start a career in social services with a high school diploma or an associate’s degree in a related field. Still, many roles, including social worker, counselor, and therapist, require a bachelor’s or master’s degree.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most positions require strong hard and soft skills such as cultural competence, case management, and creative problem-solving; licensure is necessary for clinical roles such as therapy or addiction counseling.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Social services professionals earn between $41,410-$92,740 a year, with the fastest job growth in addiction counseling and marriage and family therapy, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-flex] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Careers in social services offer diverse employment opportunities for workers of all education levels. Social service careers include advising, counseling, management, psychology, and social work — all fields that can make significant differences in the lives of children, students, families, communities, and individuals.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Explore this guide for information on types of careers, educational programs and requirements, and potential salaries.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Types of Social Service Careers[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Careers in social services encompass counseling, education, rehabilitation, therapy, and social work. Social services occupations offer opportunities to work with different populations, in various settings, and across many fields.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, states may require licensure or certification to work in these positions. Be sure to check with your jurisdiction’s licensing boards, as requirements vary by occupational field, state laws, and regulations.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Listed below are popular social services careers with descriptions of typical job duties, clients, and workplaces. The list begins with entry-level careers in social services and progresses to more advanced job titles.[/hen-ui-text] Are you ready to discover your college program?
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Community Health Worker[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/community-health-workers.htm” target=”_blank”]Community health work[/hen-ui-link] offers a pathway into social services for high school graduates. The position serves as an intermediate between health and social services providers and people with limited access to them. Successful community health workers build ties to their communities and function as advocates and links to counselors, registered nurses, and social workers.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The largest employers of community health workers comprise social assistance organizations; ambulatory healthcare services; local government agencies; hospitals; and religious, grantmaking, civic, and professional organizations.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Social and Human Service Assistant[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-and-human-service-assistants.htm” target=”_blank”]Social and human service assistant[/hen-ui-link] positions offer an entry-level career in social services, assisting counselors, psychologists, or social workers. Clients may include children and families in need of resources, elderly people needing home care, people seeking help overcoming addictions, and military veterans reentering civilian life.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nearly a third of social and human service assistants work in individual and family services. The remaining top employers span state and local government agencies, nursing and residential care facilities, and community and vocational rehabilitation services.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Health Education Specialist[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Focusing on behaviors that promote wellness, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm” target=”_blank”]health education specialists[/hen-ui-link] develop events, materials and programs that teach health topics and how to find health services. Specialists also collect and analyze community health data and advocate for health resource improvement and policies.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Employers include healthcare facilities, non-profit organizations, and public health departments, along with middle and high schools. Professionals in this social services career may train medical staff in health instruction and developing workplace wellness programs.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Mental Health Counselor[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Working with individuals, couples, families, and groups, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm” target=”_blank”]mental health counselors[/hen-ui-link] help clients struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, and stress. They also address emotional health issues and relationship difficulties. Counselors provide evaluation, assessment, and treatment services and recommend additional resources and services.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mental health counselors may specialize in a client population, such as children, families, or older adults. Workplaces include outpatient mental health centers, individual and family service organizations, offices of other health practitioners, hospitals, residential mental health facilities, and correctional facilities.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm” target=”_blank”]Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists[/hen-ui-link] assist with the rehabilitation of clients in custody or on parole. Typical duties include evaluating inmates, working with parole officers to develop release and parole plans, and aiding inmates’ reentry into society with housing assistance and job training and placement. Parole officers oversee people on parole rather than in prison. They make frequent home visits to track clients’ rehabilitation progress.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These specialists may work with adults or juveniles, and the majority are state and local government employees.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Social and Community Service Manager[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm” target=”_blank”]Social and community service managers[/hen-ui-link] coordinate and oversee public wellness services organizations, such as individual and family services, nursing and residential care facilities, and local government agencies. They hire, train, and supervise staff, work with stakeholders to identify needed services, analyze data to measure program success, and secure funding.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some managers focus on a demographic, such as children, unhoused people, older adults, or veterans. Others may specialize in substance use, mental health, or food insecurity.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Addictions or Substance Use Counselor[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-counseling/”]Master’s degree-holders[/hen-ui-link] can choose social service careers as [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm” target=”_blank”]addictions or substance use counselors[/hen-ui-link]. These professionals conduct individual and group counseling sessions and may collaborate with physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers in clinics, family services, hospitals, and residential facilities.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Counselors help people develop skills and behaviors that facilitate recovery from addictive behaviors, such as alcohol and drug use. They also advise family members on how to support their clients’ recovery and provide outreach to help people identify and avoid addictions.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Social Worker[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm” target=”_blank”]Social workers[/hen-ui-link] practice generalist, specialty, or [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/careers/career-guide/clinical-social-worker/”]clinical social work[/hen-ui-link] to help clients prevent or cope with problems in their everyday lives. They may focus on assisting children and families, K-12 students, people dealing with illness and disease, or those struggling with mental health or substance use issues. Clinical social workers can offer psychotherapeutic services to help clients make behavioral changes or manage difficult situations.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Social workers often collaborate with other social services and healthcare professionals. Top employers include individual and family services, government agencies, and schools.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Marriage and Family Therapist[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm” target=”_blank”]Marriage and family therapists[/hen-ui-link] use [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/careers/career-guide/therapy/”]therapeutic methods and techniques[/hen-ui-link] to help people navigate relationship issues. They diagnose and treat behavioral, cognitive, and emotional disorders, create treatment plans, and provide referrals to specialists and services.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]More than half of marriage and family therapists work in individual and family services and offices of other health practitioners. Other top workplaces include outpatient care centers, private practice, and state government.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]School and Career Counselor or Advisor[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Employed at public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and healthcare and social assistance facilities, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm#tab-1″ target=”_blank”]school and career counselors or advisors[/hen-ui-link] guide students, graduates, and job seekers. [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/careers/career-guide/school-counselor-overview/”]School counselors[/hen-ui-link] help students with academic and social skill-building and exploring career paths. College advisors assist students with selecting a major, gaining financial aid, and preparing for the job market. Career counselors advise people already in the workforce on resolving workplace issues, achieving goals, and advancing their careers.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Rehabilitation Counselor[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/rehabilitation-counselors.htm” target=”_blank”]Rehabilitation counselors[/hen-ui-link] help clients live independently and maintain employment, including people experiencing developmental, emotional, mental, and physical challenges. Rehabilitation professionals offer counseling, arrange outside services, advise employers about clients’ abilities and needs, and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. They also consult with doctors, psychologists, and therapists to develop treatment plans.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]More than 30% of these counselors work in community and vocational rehabilitation services. Other employers include nursing and residential care facilities and individual and family services.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Psychologist[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm” target=”_blank”]Psychologists[/hen-ui-link] study behaviors and brain functions, identify issues and diagnose disorders, and administer tests for understanding and predicting behavior. Nearly a third of psychologists work in private practice, with the remainder employed in K-12 schools, ambulatory healthcare services, government agencies, and hospitals.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Major specialty areas include clinical and counseling psychology, school psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, forensic psychology, and rehabilitation psychology. Psychologists may focus their practice on children, families, couples, or corporate executives and employees. Other paths lead to post-secondary teaching and research.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Education Requirements for Social Service Careers[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Careers in social services span the spectrum of educational requirements, from entry-level positions for those with high school diplomas and associate or bachelor’s degrees to opportunities for master’s degree- and doctorate-holders. Students can prepare themselves with [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/degrees/psychology-degree/” target=”_blank”]degrees in psychology[/hen-ui-link] and [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-counseling/” target=”_blank”]counseling[/hen-ui-link] or by studying education, social sciences, and [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/masters/best-masters-social-work/” target=”_blank”]social work[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The table below details the educational level needed to pursue different social services career paths.[/hen-ui-text] - Cultural competence
- Social perceptiveness
- Creative problem-solving
- Persuasion and cooperation
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Research and service coordination
- Counseling and interviewing
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Case management
- Program evaluation