CLusTER PROFiLE
People
Power
career opportunities in HumAn seRvIces grow with the Texas population.
F
or sheer personal satisfaction, there’s no better career choice average wage nationally for child-care directors is $36,080.
than Human Services. ■ Geriatric care managers. At the other end of the life cycle, people
“It’s all about families and human needs,” says Marilyn like Callander work with Alzheimer’s patients. She sets up group
Wragg, director of the Curriculum Center at Texas Tech University activities, works with behavior management, is a communications
in Lubbock. “From child-care professionals to counselors to social liaison, and assists families. The average salary for this profession
workers, all serve people and ensure quality of life.” in Texas is $68,320.
Because it’s all about people, the cluster grows as quickly as our ■ Personal financial advisors, who analyze data to help people
population expands. “The market is huge for qualified people,” manage their money. “These are not accountants,” says Wragg.
adds Debbie Callander, director of social services at Quail Ridge “They have to be people persons with other knowledge as well.
Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Lubbock. They have to understand life span and family life.” Nationally,
salaries for financial advisors range from $37,000 to $113,000.
A Broad Field
Human Services is a broad career cluster, including obvious
professions such as psychology and preschool teaching, as well as
surprises such as cosmetology and fashion merchandising. Some of
the careers in this field include: 10
Fast-Growing Careers
■ Cosmetologists and salon owners. The cosmetology industry
brings more than $1.8 billion into the Texas economy each
occupation
% Growth New Jobs Created
year. Cosmetologists provide personal care services including
(2002–2012) (2002–2012)
manicures, pedicures, hair styling, and facials. Many open their
personal and Home care aide 41.8% 42,700
own salons. Salaries in Texas range between $30,000 and $50,000. preschool Teacher 38.1% 14,500
■ Dietitians, who provide for a very basic human need. “People want
marriage and family Therapist 37.5% 150
to feel that their job is important, that it has a purpose; they want
education administrator, preschool and
to benefit others and be financially sound. What’s enjoyable about child-care center
33.6% 2,150
food and nutrition is that professionals get to work with something
medical and public Health social worker 32.8% 2,000
people generally like to talk about,” says Sue Thompson, associate
sales manager 29.8% 7,050
professor of nutrition at Texas State University in San Marcos. The
average dietitian in Texas earns $45,789.
personal financial advisor 28.7% 2,350
■ Early childhood educators, who work with young children in
social and Human services assistant 28.7% 4,900
settings such as nursery schools and hospitals. “These professionals residential advisor 28.6% 1,000
can feel they’re not just making a salary, but contributing to
child, family, and school social worker 27.6% 2,950
someone’s life,” says Richard Sale, assistant professor of child and
This is a projection of 10 fast-growing careers in Human Services in Texas from the year 2002 to 2012 and
family studies at Tarleton State University in Stephenville. The the number of new jobs created in each occupation. Note that while the percentage of growth in jobs may be
high, the actual number of jobs created may be low. Source: Texas Workforce Commission.
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