AFTER high sChOOL
Learn to
Serve
opportunities for PosTsecondARY
leARnInG in Human services are as
varied as the careers in the cluster.
T
he outlook for careers in Human going to College One challenging career that requires a
Services is excellent, with faster-than- The best choice for career preparation is bachelor’s degree or higher is that of child life
average employment growth over the college. “There are many degrees available specialist (CLS). “A child life specialist works
next several years,” reports Letitia Killman, at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate in a hospital or clinic setting to help reduce
curriculum specialist at Texas Tech levels,” Killman says. “This is a field with the stress and anxiety that pediatric patients
University in Lubbock. If students want employment opportunities at every level and their families may experience,” says
to pursue careers after high school, there and the higher the level of education, the Ashley Hurst, who is doing graduate work in
are lots of ways to go. “The postsecondary greater the potential.” the field at Texas Tech. “Child life specialists
routes for Human Services are as varied as For example, two-year associate’s degrees explain medical equipment and procedures
the cluster itself,” observes Killman. open the doors for entry-level aide or at a developmentally appropriate level, and
assistant positions in case management may also provide help with bereavement
in social services, while bachelor’s issues and different ways to cope.”
degrees might lead the way to Hurst says she enjoys her studies; “It’s
administrative, supervisory, useful information that I can take into the
and teaching positions. real world.”
Graduate degrees Although she could become a child life
prepare individuals specialist with just a bachelor’s degree,
to become college Hurst has opted to increase her chances of
professors in fields success by getting a master’s degree. She says
related to Human the choice is the right one for her, but it has
Services, such as complicated her schedule. “There is not a
psychology or social specific child life program at Texas Tech,”
work, or high-level explains Hurst, “so I have had to tailor the
administrators in program to my needs.”
social agencies.
Certifications
Hurst is also preparing to get a certification,
an option in many Human Services careers.
“To become a certified CLS, you have
THe Texas deparTmenT of
to do a 480-hour internship,” says Hurst,
“and it is strongly suggested that students
lIcensIng and regulaTIon
have a practicum.” A practicum allows
maInTaIns a daTabase of more THan 184,000
students the chance to practice what they’ve
learned under the supervision of clinical
lIcensed cosmeTologIsTs and 23,500 salons.
professionals. A practicum often leads
directly to a job.
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