Careers in Human Services

Desiree Baldwin Post University

Researched five careers in the area of human services; my research consisted of their primary tasks, educational requirements, the population they serve, the average salaries they earn, potential challenges and rewards, hiring outlook for the following careers in Human Services. Also, my outlook of whether or not I would go into this career? Why or why not?
First I would like to start off with a Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors whom primary tasks are counseling and advising individuals who suffer from alcohol, drug addiction, eating disorders, gambling, and other behavioral problems. They may counsel individuals, families, groups, or even engage in prevention programs, to help individuals recover from addiction or modify their behavioral patterns with the intentions of gaining full recovery. As a Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors they provide direct service to the clients. In their role they provided services geared towards behavior changes, primarily to change clients’ behavior, ranging from coaching and counseling to casework, psychotherapy, and behavior therapy (Woodside & McClam, 2012, p.186). Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor are always ready to lend a helping hand to people who may be struggling with addiction of behavioral disorder, and they will work with their clients to better understand the conditions of that human being.
The educational requirements to become a Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor can range from a high school diploma and certification to a Master's Degree in Counseling or Social Work (U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). However, Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors that chooses to work in private practices must be licensed, which varies from state to state. In addition to licensing there is a state certification exam that they must pass, and take continuing education credits on a yearly basis, to stay in compliance.

A Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors work with teens, adults, disabled, and veterans in a variety of different settings. For instance, mental health centers, prisons, probation and/or parole offices, and juvenile detention facilities. The median salary for a Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor is $38,600 in Connecticut, and the top 10% can earn over $60,000 a year (O*NET, 2010).
Some of the challenges in the field of Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors would be the interpersonal skills. Counselors have to be open minded and able to work with all types of people, and building relationships with their clients. The rewarding part of this field is to see your clients recover from their addiction or disorder, and able to live as normal citizens in the community.
Employment for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors is expected to grow by 27 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in residential mental health and substance abuse facilities is expected to grow by 44 percent from 2010 to 2020.
I can see myself working in the field of Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder because I have a long time passion for helping individuals overcome their addiction and behavioral disorders. I have long term goals set to open up a faith-based recovery community center, where addicts, their friends and family, can drop in during the day to have coffee, attend AA/NA meetings, mentoring, computer labs, job search, a business attire closet, and fellowship with other individuals in recovery.
Second Human Service career I chose was a Rehabilitation Counselor who helps people with their emotional and physical disabilities learn to live independently. They counsel their

clients to maximize the independence and employability of coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that resulted from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, or daily life stress. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). As a Rehabilitation Counselor they are related to human services because they are facilitators of services, they monitors the progress that the client is making, and uses problem-solving process when services are deficient or inappropriate (Woodside & McClam, 2012, p.188). Rehabilitation Counselors work in settings such as schools, prisons, independent-living facilities, rehabilitation agencies, and private practices.
In order to work as a Residential Counselor typically must have a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Some of the positions also required that you get a certification or license. The median annual wage for a Residential Counselor is $34,200 a year. Employment is projected to grow 20% from 2012-2022, with the increase of the elderly population, and people with disabilities (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). They work with students to help them with their disability strategies, helping them transition from school to work. Residential Counselors also work with veterans helping them to cope with their mental and physical effects of serving in the military. They also work with the elderly helping them to adapt to their disabilities developed from injuries or illnesses.
One of the challenges as a Residential Counselor is having patience, you will be helping them learn new skills and strategies, and the clients have a difficult time learning and addressing their disabilities. I personally can see myself working in this field, because I like to encourage people to do better, and very passionate when it comes to the elderly and disabled population.
The third Human Service career selected was a Marriage and Family Therapists, they primary task is to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, this could be cognitive,

affective, or behavioral, all within the context of marriage and family systems (O*NET, 2012). They are related to human services because they apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the services that they deliver to individuals, couples, and families. The required education to become a Marriage and Family Therapist is a Master’s Degree and license. The average salary for Marriage and Family Therapist in Connecticut is $48,200, and the projected growth between 2012-2022 growing much faster than average (22% or higher) (O*NET, 2012).
The potential challenge is keeping family and marriages together, teaching families how to communicate with one another to make their relationships better. I may be able to go into the field of Marriage and Family Therapist because I have concerns for others and honest and ethical. However, I am not the one to get in the middle of marriages; I like to stay mutual when it comes to conflicts in marriages.
The fourth career is Community Health Worker; they assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors. They also do outreach for medical personnel to implement programs in the community that promote community health (O*NET, 2012). Community Health Workers are related to human services as outreach workers; they reach out to identify people with problems, like no health insurance, and assist them with finding appropriate coverage for themselves or families.
The educational requirements for a Community Health Worker is a Bachelor Degree, but there the training varies across states, the field lacks unified training standards. Therefore, training tends to be employer driven. The challenges of Community Health Worker are reaching out to the community educating them regarding health knowledge and self-sufficiency

through a range of activities (American Public Health Association, 2008). I could see myself working in this field doing the outreach part of the job. For instance, setting up a table in a community where the majority are living without health insurance, and helping them sign up for health insurance, educating them on the different types of insurance that is available, and the consequences of not having health insurance.
The final career is Social and Community Service Managers; they coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations. They work in nonprofit organizations, private for profit social service companies and government agencies. The biggest populations in which they serve are children, people who are homeless, older adults, or veterans.
The required education to become a Social and Community Manager is a Bachelor Degree in Social Work, Urban Studies, Public Administration, and some work experience in order to hire you. Many prefer a Master Degree in Social Work, with no experience. The average salary for Social and Community Service Manager is $59,970; the top 10% earn $99,150. The employment is projected to grow 21% from 2012 to 2022, much faster than average occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014).
I do not believe that I would be a good fit for a career as a Social and Community Service Manager because I do not have good leadership skills. I have sympathy for people, and this gets in the way of my leadership skills. I worked as a Store Manager, and felt sorry for anyone that came to me with an issue, and this caused me my job. I learnt from this; however, I do not think I ever want the full responsibility of being the overall manager.

References
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2015 Edition, Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor, on the Internet at http:www.bls.gov/ooh

National Center for O*NET Development. 21-1015.00. O*NET OnLine. Retrieved August 8, 2014, from http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1015.00

Woodside, M. & McClam, T., 2012, Introduction to Human Services, 8th Edition