Piedmont Technical College

College Resources

Career Tracks: Human Services

One of the helping professions, Human Services prepares graduates to work in a variety of service delivery agencies. Students receive instruction in the social and psychological influences of human behavior.

Students can choose from a variety of electives that offer additional training for their particular area of interest. Graduates are prepared to work as entry level professionals in many different helping fields including the fields of mental retardation, mental health, addictions, aging, recreation, case management, and abuse.

Field placement provides the opportunity for second year students to work at agencies and practice their learned skills as change agents while under the supervision of professionals employed in the field.

Duties

Workers in this field may be required to:

  • teach daily living tasks to institutionalized clients

  • assist in facilitating group treatment

  • assist in interventions with individuals

  • plan and conduct activities 

  • make home visits

  • complete client assessments
     

Working Conditions

Workers in this field commonly experience:

  • work in inside / clean / fairly quiet

  • work in an office environment

  • work in institutions (psychiatric hospital, residential homes for special needs children and adults, nursing homes, schools)

  • work under little direct supervision

  • often make home visits
     

Physical Demands

  • mildly active (some walking, standing)

  • fairly active (working with children: kneeling, crouching, sitting on floor)

  • light lifting (up to 20 lbs.)
     

Characteristics & Temperament

Workers in this field should have:

  • excellent written and oral communication skills

  • ability to deal cooperatively with people from various backgrounds

  • ability to deal well with people of varying age and ability levels

  • patience/tolerance/understanding/compassion

  • ability to be non-judgmental

  • ability to maintain composure

  • ability to problem solve

  • excellent social skills (interact with others)

  • flexibility (ability to change form one task to another without losing composure or effectiveness)

  • self-discipline / self-motivation

  • willingness to learn

  • ability to follow directions

  • ability to make generalizations, evaluations and mature decisions
     

Employment Outlook

Workers in this field can expect the following developments:

  • salary range: $25,000-34,999 per year according to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website at: http://www.bls.gov/ooh for the most current Occupational Outlook statistics.

  • 66% placement rate for 2009-2011 graduates 

  • some entry level positions: mental retardation specialist, mental health technician, chemical dependency technician, activity director - gerontology, pre-school teacher, teacher's aide, day care worker, resident care aid, case manager, youth counselor, activities coordinator, medication technician, residential assistant

  • good opportunity for advancement within an organization as additional credentialing is obtained
     

Employers

Recent graduates have found work at: