Human Services Workers

Employers

Approximately 433,000 human services workers are employed in the United States. Twenty-seven percent work in individual and family services, and 21 percent are employed by local and state government agencies. Eleven percent work in community food and housing, emergency and other relief services, and vocational rehabilitation services. Employment settings include agency offices, community centers, group homes, halfway houses, mental health facilities, hospitals, shelters, and the private homes of clients.

Starting Out

Students may find jobs through their high school or college counselors or local and state human services agencies. Sometimes summer jobs and volunteer work can develop into full-time employment upon graduation. Employers try to be selective in their hiring because many human services jobs involve direct contact with people who are impaired and therefore vulnerable to exploitation. Experience with helping others is a definite advantage.