Human services degrees are perfect for students who want to help others in their day-to-day work. Because its ultimate goal is to meet human needs, whatever they may be, the human services field is ideal for someone who wants their work to truly affect social change within communities. One of the most attractive qualities of jobs in human services is that you don’t need an advanced degree to get to work. An associate degree in human services, like the one offered by Brescia University, is all you need for a wide variety of important jobs that enable you to positively impact people. To help you explore your options when it comes to human services careers, we’ve put together a guide to some of the great jobs you can get with a human services degree.
Case management aide
This job allows you to work with low-income, disabled and elderly clients by providing administrative assistance to a case manager. Your work would include interviewing and screening clients, plan coordination, file maintenance and data entry. Case management aides work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, group homes and mental health facilities. You will work as an advocate and as part of the support system your clients rely on. Specific job responsibilities vary by setting, but many case managers work closely with clients and formulate treatment plans. This is an ideal job for organized people who have strong communication skills and understand the value of advocacy for underserved individuals.
Social work assistant
A career as a social work assistant is another option for someone with an associate degree in human services. This job requires you to work with a social worker to help organize cases and coordinate service plans. You would work closely with those affected by substance abuse, domestic violence and poverty. Social work assistants interview clients, file reports and help clients understand community resources that are available to them. This position would likely be a great fit for candidates with strong interpersonal skills who are patient, sympathetic and can be flexible in their job.
Community outreach worker
Community outreach workers coordinate educational, training, youth and health services for the communities in which they work. This is more of an administrative position, as you will likely also work to coordinate events for fundraising and support. Professionals in this position work for specific organizations that are nonprofit, health care-based or provide some other specific service. This job also involves organizing workshops and programs for staff and volunteers. You will have close contact with the community and serve as a liaison between the community and various organizations within it. If you are a social person who has a strong desire to directly improve the community in which you live, working as a community outreach worker could be a great fit for you.
Probation officer
A career as a probation officer will allow you to help rehabilitate criminal offenders who are either adults or minors. You will develop rehabilitation plans and provide guidance on the terms of clients’ probation and other services. Probation officers also ensure that clients meet the terms of their probation; the major probation officers work for state and federal governments. You will usually work with less threatening criminals and often with first-time offenders. Being successful as a probation officer requires that you be open-minded and are able to see issues from multiple sides.
Substance abuse counselor
Substance abuse counselors provide services in both the treatment and prevention of alcohol and drug addiction. You will develop rehabilitation programs for patients and monitor their progress. Most substance abuse counselors work in social assistance and health care settings. Community outreach will be a priority, and you will likely have to educate your clients on the services available to them. This position, in particular, requires a sympathetic attitude and supportive approach to addiction rehabilitation. If you have compassion and a strong desire to help those who are in crisis and likely underserved, this job could be a great fit for you.
Human Services at Brescia
Brescia offers a fully online associate degree in human services. Completing this degree program can get you on your way to a successful career in human services that will enable you to make a difference. You can complete the associate degree and then apply your credits directly to our online bachelor’s degree programs in social work, psychology, theology or integrated studies. We’ve made it a seamless process so that you can get ahead faster.
By learning to work with people of diverse racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, students enrolled in Brescia’s human services program gain the skills needed to work with individuals, groups and communities. The degree coursework focuses on crisis counseling and intervention, theory, case management, information systems and other human services areas. Major subject requirements are in the fields of psychology, sociology, biology and social work. Students are required to complete 63 credit hours.
For more information about our online associate degree in human services, visit our Online Programs page.