Child Life Specialists

An excellent way to explore your interest in and aptitude for this work is to volunteer. For volunteer opportunities in medical settings, find out what local hospitals, outpatient clinics, or nursing homes have to offer. Opportunities to work with children are also available through organizations such as Easter Seals, Scouting America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. In addition, volunteer or paid positions are available at many summer camps. Babysitting, of course, is another way to work with children as well as earn extra money. And a good babysitter is always in demand, no matter where you live.

Participate in information interviews with child life specialists. In such an interview—which can be conducted in-person, on the phone, or through video-conferencing technology—you will get the opportunity to ask child life specialists about their job duties, work environment, likes and dislikes about their careers, educational training, and other topics that will help you to learn more about the field. Ask your school counselor or a health teacher to help you set up information interviews.

Listen to #ChildLife, a blog and podcast (https://www.childlife.org/resources-legacy/childlife-blog-podcast-of-aclp) that are available from the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) to learn more about the association and the field.

Once you are in college you can join the ACLP as a college student member. Membership includes a subscription to the council's newsletter, which can give you a better understanding of the work of a child life specialist. Members can also access a mentoring program.