Career requirements and roles in human services and school counseling

Human Services Assistant

The main job of human service assistants is to help people overcome very difficult times, or get more support. They give assistance to co-workers, like social workers, and help customers discover community services or benefits (Social and Human Service Assistants: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Educational Requirements: High school diploma or its equivalent. Some employers would rather hire workers with more academic qualifications and experience. Advancement opportunities are limited without additional education (Social and Human Service Assistants: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Works with the section of the population that is either suffering or in need of additional support (Social and Human Services Assistants: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Average Salary: $28, 850 per annum (Social and Human Service Assistants: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Potential Challenges / Rewards: The job of a social service assistant can be quite stressful; this is because they deal with real people in life-altering situations. The situations may include: unemployment, and being homeless, or victims of several abuses. Some clients can also be either alcoholics or drug addicts. Every social services worker needs steely nerves and a very compassionate personality. If you often act or speak in a rash, this is not the job for you. Don't forget that most social services agencies carry out background checks on every new employee. If you work in an urban area, you may be required to visit either dilapidated or dangerous neighborhoods (Moro, 2015).

Would I Choose this Career? This is one career I can easily identify with because it can offer me the chance to help my co-workers and social workers. However, I would prefer helping the population in a more direct way.

Hiring Outlook: It is expected that the hiring rate or job prospects are bound to increase by 22%, in the next few years (Social and Human Service Assistants: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

School Counselor

Role: Being in charge of a school building, the principal carries out all plans, and makes provisions for the necessary services meant for the students. he/she also ensures the environment is conducive for the physical, intellectual, social and emotional development of each of the students. Evaluates and monitors students' outcomes. Interacts and communicates with the students, their parents, the staff, and the entire school community. Develops, chooses, and adjusts guidance materials and lessons to meet the students' needs. The school counselor also supervises the proper use and care for all the school tools, facilities and materials (SCHOOL COUNSELOR: Elementary, Middle and High School).

Educational Requirements: Every aspiring school counselor needs only two degrees. Bachelor's degrees in science are rare; however, a college psychology undergraduate program gives one the right preparation for higher studies in a master's degree program in psychology. Both degrees take about seven years to complete. Some states give licenses to school counselors who have a bachelor's degree and have completed their graduate coursework, but one of their requirements is that all school counselors should hold a master's degree (School Counselor Career Info Job Duties and Requirements).

Population: The school's student body (School Counselor Career Info, Job Duties and Requirements).

Average Salary: $56, 040 per annum (School Counselor Career Info, Job Duties and Requirements).

Challenges / Rewards: Working as a school counselor is a very rewarding career that offers an individual the chance to help others who either have some personal or social problems. One of the challenges experienced in this profession is having the patience required to work with difficult students. This requires people with the right personality (School Counselor Career Info, Job Duties and Requirements).

Hiring Outlook: A 12% increase in job openings for this career, is expected (School Counselor Career Info, Job Duties and Requirements).

Would I Consider this as a Career? My love for kids makes this job a good one for me. I love helping students who are going through personal and social challenges.

Social Worker

Role: Social workers help people find solutions to their everyday problems. Clinical social workers are a group of social workers that are good at diagnosing and treating mental, behavioral and emotional problems. Social workers work in a number of settings, such as mental health centers, schools, child-care and human services centers, public hospitals, non-profits or charities, and private clinics. They often work fulltime, and may sometimes need to work during the evenings, weekends, or even holidays (Social Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook; Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Educational Requirements: Having a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) is the basic requirement for all entry-level openings. Some organizations, however, hire workers who have bachelor's degrees in related fields, like sociology or psychology. Some positions, like those in academics and health, often request for a master's degree in social work (MSW). For instance, clinical social workers may possess a master's degree in social work, and two years post-master's working experience in a clinical setting (Social Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Population: Social workers deal with different kinds of people, ranging from the poor and aged to those suffering from life-threatening illness like HIV and veterans (Social Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Average Salary: $44,200 per annum (Social Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Potential Challenges/Rewards: This is a fast-growing career, especially when older adults and veterans are the focus. Though very demanding and stressful sometimes, social work can be a rewarding career, especially if you are one of those people who enjoy solving problems for others in a challenging environment. Most social workers say they feel fulfilled by the lives they touch and the activities they engage in daily (Acosta, 2013). If all you want is a career that will enable you help the vulnerable people in your community and improve their lives, you need to search no further.

Hiring Outlook: It is expected that there will be a 19% increase in hiring of social workers from 2012-2022, which is a much faster growth rate than the usual figures (Social Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Would I Consider this Career Option? I can work as a social worker because it will give me the platform to help those in need, and touch the lives of the less privileged in the society.

Psychologist

Role: Psychologists undergo the study of emotional, cognitive, and social procedures of human behavior by examining, understanding, and taking record of how people relate with each other in their environments. Some psychologists are known to work independently, carrying out researches and working with their patients. Others work as members of medical practitioners, working together with doctors and social workers in school environments, where they work with the students, parents, teachers, and other members of the academic community. To accommodate clients, the private practitioners work both in evenings and over the weekends (Psychologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Educational Requirements: Though every psychologist needs a specialist degree or doctorate in psychology, or perhaps a master's degree suits some positions. All practicing psychologists also need certification or licensing (Psychologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Population: Varies (Psychologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. of Labor Statistics).

Potential Challenges/Rewards: For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, becoming a psychologist can be a great career. Most psychologists end up running their own private therapy homes once they have some experience and proven their competency. Going by the reports of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, a psychologist working full-time can earn between $50, 000 to $100,000 per annum. Those working as part-time psychologists may not earn such huge amounts, but they earn receive some great income. Working a as psychologist gives you the chance to work with people from all backgrounds, cultures, and races. Psychologists are often on call, and have to handle issues concerning their clients, even at the most unholy hours. More than a third of all psychologists are self-employed; most own and run their own practices. Launching your own psychology practice can be quite tasking, just like sustaining it can be a challenge (Advantages and Disadvantages of Becoming a Psychologist).

Hiring Outlook: About 12% hiring increase is expected in the future (Psychologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Would I Consider this Career Option? I would love to work as a psychologist in order to improve my professional skills when it comes to working with fellow professionals. It is also a good way of bringing my entrepreneurial dreams to life.

Reference

Acosta, G. (2013, October 15). "USC Social Work." The Benefits of a Career in Social Work. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/the-benefits-of-a-career-in-social-work/

(n.d.). Career Search -- Jobs, Career Profiles, Descriptions & Career Training. Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Psychologist. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://www.careerprofiles.info/advantages-disadvantages-psychology-career.html

Moro, M. (n.d.). EHow -- How to - Discover the expert in you! Job Description for a Social Services Assistant -- eHow. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://www.ehow.com/about_6073278_job-description-social-services-assistant.html

(n.d.). Study.com -- Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers. School Counselor Career Info, Job Duties and Requirements. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://study.com/school_counselor_career.html

(n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/mental-health-counselors-and-marriage-and-family-therapists.htm

(n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm

(n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Social and Human Service Assistants: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-and-human-service-assistants.htm

(n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Social Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-1

(n.d.). Virginia Beach City Public Schools. SCHOOL COUNSELOR (Elementary, Middle and High School). Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://www.vbschools.com/hr/job_desc/School%20Counselor.pdf

Wagner, N. (n.d.). Work - Chron.com. The Disadvantages of Being a Counselor -- Chron.com. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://work.chron.com/disadvantages-being-counselor-4551.html