Posted on November 15, 2021
Whenever you are looking for a new job or thinking about making a career change, it’s a good time to reflect on what you want out of your career and what you want to be doing with your life. Do you want any old desk job, are you simply looking to get rich, or are you looking for a career that will help you feel fulfilled and like you are making a difference in the world? If the latter option sounds more like what you want, then a career in the human services field may be just what you’re looking for! So, what exactly is human services?
Human services is a term that covers a wide range of careers that involve meeting various human needs within a community. This can include careers such as being a social worker, a counselor, a case manager, a community outreach worker, working in health and mental wellness services, being a Direct Support Professional who works with people with disabilities, and more. Human services employees work to improve the overall quality of life for individuals within the community.
This is often done by focusing on the prevention of future struggles and also the remediation of current ones, and by providing support to people who need personal assistance. Human services workers strive to equip individuals within the community with the tools, resources, knowledge, and support that they need to succeed.
One of the main reasons to consider a job in the human services field is because you will be able to enjoy a stable career. Human services positions such as Direct Support Professionals are vital roles that are always in demand in every community. This provides a steady career for human services professionals that they know they can rely on.
This stability is incredibly important because many other industries have high turnover rates that often leave employees trying to figure out what’s next. The human services field ensures that professionals always have plenty of work opportunities, allowing them to feel comfortable, secure, and able to plan ahead without worrying about their employment.
Another primary reason to pursue a career in human services is that many of the jobs provide you with the opportunity to help others and change their lives. When people really want to make a difference in the communities they live in, they often get into the human services field because of the impact they can make.
For example, a social worker is able to help children and their families when they need assistance, whether they are facing extreme hardships, abuse, or other issues at home. That specific social worker is able to make a positive impact in the lives of an entire family, but especially for a child in a difficult situation. This can prevent any further issues from arising and allow the child to receive a fresh start where they can continue to learn, grow, and enjoy life.
Just like how individuals working in human services have the opportunity to help others with their work, they also work closely with those people and often develop personal connections with them. Many jobs involve impersonal work simply looking at computer screens, but as the name suggests, human services is all about helping other humans.
This means working directly with other people who need help, often in a one-to-one setting. This allows human services workers to really get to know the individuals they are helping and see the impact they are having on their lives.
As mentioned earlier, human services careers are all about helping other people receive the help they need to succeed. This help doesn’t just benefit the individual, but it also benefits society as a whole. When people receive the help they need, they are able to do things on their own and contribute to society. This can even mean making a difference in other people’s lives.
Another major reason to consider a career in the human services field is that you’ll be able to use your creativity while making a difference with your work. While human services careers are stable, they also offer a lot of diversity of experiences to be had, so every day isn’t the same. This provides human services professionals the chance to use their creative skills to solve problems and come up with unique solutions specific to their current tasks.
If you found yourself drawn toward these reasons, then it may be time to look into a career in the human services field! At Penn-Mar Human Services, our mission is to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live courageous lives full of self-determination, independence, and equity. Penn-Mar’s approach is innovative, person-centered, and successful.
Through meaningful employment, community inclusion, and residential choice, the people Penn-Mar supports are empowered to live their best lives. If you’re interested in a human services career and want to make a difference in the lives of others, consider filling out an application to join our team! You can also get involved by learning more about our services, making a donation, or signing up to volunteer with us today!