The Human Services cluster uses your skills in communication and problem solving to provide support to families and individuals with services from working in early childhood care to providing mental health services for older adults. This diverse career cluster allows you to work in a variety of settings including health care, spas, schools, and community centers.
Skills for the Human Services Industry
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Organization
- Active Listening
- Patience
CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR REGION’S TOP EMPLOYERS IN Human Services
*Some of them will even be at Career Quest Winter 2024!
Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare*
New River Valley Community Services
Explore Different Careers in Human Services
Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play. Includes: Caregiver, Child Care Worker, Child Caregiver, Childcare Provider, Childcare Worker, Daycare Teacher, Daycare Worker, Infant Teacher, and Toddler Teacher.
Average Income: $27,200 per year
Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging. Includes: Behavior Analyst, Behavior Support Specialist (BSS), Case Manager, Clinician, Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Mental Health Counselor, and Mental Health Program Specialist.
Average Income: $51,700 per year
Education: Graduate Degree
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth. Includes: Child Development Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher, Group Teacher, Infant Teacher, Montessori Preschool Teacher, Nursery Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher), Teacher, and Toddler Teacher.
Average Income: $40,000 per year
Education: Associate’s Degree or On-The-Job Training
Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services. Includes: Beautician, Cosmetologist, Hair Dresser, Hair Stylist, Hairdresser, Hairstylist, and Stylist.
Average Income: $34,100 per year
Education: Vocational Training and Certification
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. Includes: Adoption Social Worker, Case Manager, Case Worker, Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker), Family Protection Specialist, Family Service Worker, Foster Care Social Worker, and School Social Worker.
Average Income: $49,400 per year
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. Provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members. Includes: Bishop, Catholic Priest, Children’s Minister, Confessor, Congregational Care Pastor, Minister, Pastor, Priest, Rector, and Worship Pastor.
Average Income: $55,100 per year
Education: Graduate Degree
Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members. Includes: Activities Assistant, Activities Director, Activity Aide, Activity Assistant, Activity Coordinator, Activity Director, Recreation Assistant, Recreation Coordinator, and Recreation Supervisor.
Average Income: $31,800 per year
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group. May provide counseling, guidance, and leadership relative to marital, health, financial, and religious problems. Includes: Adult Ministries Director, Campus Ministries Director, Children’s Ministries Director, Christian Education Director, Religious Education Coordinator, Religious Education Director, and Senior Adults Director.
Average Income: $55,500 per year
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare. Includes: Clinical Social Worker, Hospice Social Worker, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker), Medical Social Worker, Nephrology Social Worker, Oncology Social Worker, Psychosocial Coordinator, Renal Social Worker, Social Work Case Manager, and Social Worker.
Average Income: $58,200 per year
Education: Graduate Degree
Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. Includes: Case Manager, Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Therapist, Clinician, Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Mental Health Therapist, Social Worker, Substance Abuse Counselor, and Therapist.
Average Income: $50,800 per year
Education: Graduate Degree