Human Services

1. Keep up with news and trends related to the human services industry.
2. Set up informational interviews with counselors in your field of interest.
3. Get involved in a student organization to build your leadership skills:

• Social Work Student Association
• Psi Chi
• Active Minds

• Maintaining confidentiality
• Patience
• Empathy
• Client assessment
• Counseling/facilitating
• Conflict resolution, negotiating and persuading
• Providing emotional support and motivating others
• Interviewing for pertinent information
• Guiding people in acquiring developmental skills and coping strategies for dealing with problems, such as dependencies, life adjustments, relationships issues, cognitive distortions and behavioral problems.
• Developing goals and objectives
• Writing case notes

Many people who work in human services hold degrees in health, psychology, social work, or similar degrees which focus on helping people, however many organizations will hire entry-level employees with unrelated degrees. 

Specialized certifications are available or required for working in certain human services positions such as substance abuse. It is extremely important to research the degree and certification requirements for job positions. 

Licensure Information 

• Virginia Department of Health Professions
• Virginia Substance Abuse Counselor Certification

Educational Information

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Psychology vs Psychiatry
• Clinical Social Worker vs Mental Health Counselor
• Licensed Professional Counselor 

Industry Research

• National Organization for Human Services
• Northern Virginia Human Services
• National Association for Social Workers
• About.com: What is a Social Worker?
• Northern Virginia Community Services Board
• U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

Experiential Learning

• Apprenticeships
• Get involved in a student organization such as Active Minds to build your leadership skills
• Conduct research with a faculty member on a topic that relates to Human Services/Psychology
• Idealist: search for human services postings

Job Search

• Handshake: Conduct an advanced search by industry (Human Services) 
• Child & Family Services
• Indeed Human Services
• Social Service .Com
• Human Services Career Network
• iHire Social Services
• Social Work Job Bank

Professional Associations

• National Association for Social Workers
• American Psychological Association
• American Counseling Association

There are two main types of Social Workers: direct-service social workers, who help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives, and clinical social workers, who diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issue

School Counselors help students develop social skills and succeed in school. Career Counselors assist people with the process of making career decisions by helping them choose a career or educational program.

Psychologists study mental processes and human behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people and other animals relate to one another and the environment.

 Social and Human Service Assistants help people get through difficult times or get additional support. They help other workers, such as social workers, and they help clients find benefits or community services.

Health Educators teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. They develop programs and materials to encourage people to make healthy decisions.

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists work with and monitor offenders to prevent them from committing new crimes

Psychiatric Technicians and Aides care for people who have mental illness and developmental disabilities. The two occupations are related, but technicians typically provide therapeutic care, and aides help patients in their daily activities and ensure a safe, clean environment.

Psychiatrists are physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent disorders of the mind.

Registered Nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.

Rehabilitation Counselors help people with emotional and physical disabilities live independently. They help their clients overcome personal, social, and professional effects of disabilities as they relate to employment or independent living.