Links to related Web Sites are listed at the bottom of this page.
| AREAS |
EMPLOYERS |
STRATEGIES |
|
PRE-SCHOOL/DAY CARE
Teaching
Administration
|
- Religious organizations
- Montessori schools
- Private, public, franchise, and corporate day care centers
- Private homes
- Family day care
- Extended school programs
- Preschools
- Head Start programs
|
Develop physical stamina for working with children.
Acquire appropriate certification or licensure for day care and public school teaching.
Obtain experience working with children through
volunteering or part-time jobs.
Demonstrate patience with children and the ability to
work well with people of various backgrounds.
Develop strong communications skills to deal effectively with parents. |
| |
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Administration
Development
Programming
Research
Evaluation
|
- Community centers
YMCA or YWCA
- Consumer protection agencies
- Summer camp programs
- Adult day care providers
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation organizations
- Religious organizations
- Adoption agencies
|
Seek related work experience, particularly summer camps or special needs areas.
Learn to work well with all types of people through
volunteer or paid positions.
Obtain Child Life Certification for some areas.
Develop strong presentation and public speaking skills.
Be willing to wear multiple hats within an organization.
Learn how to write grants.
Develop research and writing skills. |
| |
SOCIAL SERVICES
Case Management
Counseling
Administration
|
- Profit and nonprofit organizations focused on children, youth, families, or senior citizens
- Adult and child day care providers
- Group homes
- Half-way houses
- Youth services agencies
- Senior citizens' programs
- Foundations and funding organizations
|
Supplement curriculum with courses in social work,
sociology, or psychology.
Obtain a master's degree and appropriate licensure in
mental health counseling, social work, or
rehabilitation counseling to provide therapy.
Earn a graduate degree to obtain most administrative
positions.
Gain experience through volunteer positions or
internships. |
| |
EDUCATION
Teaching
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Special Education
Home Economics
Family and Consumer Sciences
Curriculum Development
Research
Counseling
Administration
College Student Affairs
Parent-Child Education
|
- Public and private schools (K-12)
- Public preschool programs (e.g., Head Start)
- Private preschool programs
- Montessori schools
- Adult education programs
- Colleges and universities
- Programs servicing children and adults with special
needs
|
Acquire appropriate certification for public school
teaching.
Obtain Ph.D. for college and university teaching
and research opportunities.
Acquire certification for day care and parent-child
education.
Obtain graduate degree for counseling, student affairs, and administrative positions.
Find part-time or summer jobs working with children.
Serve as a tutor, peer mentor, resident assistant or
student advisor. |
| |
MEDICAL
Child Care Programs
Education
|
- Hospitals
- Healthcare facilities
- Health and wellness agencies
- Hospices
|
Earn a master's degree in Social Work, Counseling,
or related areas for the most opportunities.
Obtain experience in advocacy.
Acquire licensing or certification for some areas.
Volunteer in a healthcare setting. |
| |
BUSINESS
Management
Sales
Customer Service
|
- Manufacturing companies of children's clothes, toys, furniture, and food
- Department and retail stores
- Service organizations
|
Minor in business; develop skills in areas such as
management, marketing or sales.
Secure leadership positions on campus.
Get related experience through internships or parttime jobs.
Build computer skills in word processing, database
management, and spreadsheet programs. |
| |
COMMUNICATIONS
Journalism
Public Relations
Writing
Editing
Research
|
Organizations geared toward children and family
including:
- Book publishers
- Professional associations
- Radio and TV stations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Manufacturers
- Newspapers
- Magazines
|
Minor or double major in a communications field.
Develop excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Submit articles or books for publication.
Work for campus publications or radio stations.
Complete internships with related organizations. |
| |
GOVERNMENT
Social Services
Rehabilitation
Program Coordination
Research
Program Evaluation
Legislation
Advocacy
|
- Federal, state and local government agencies (i.e.,
Departments of Health, Education and
Welfare, Criminal Justice Departments,
Sanitation, Fire/Safety, Nutrition, and Cooperative
Extension)
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Mental health agencies
- Military child care programs
- Overseas child care and education programs
- Health and wellness agencies
- Women's protective agencies
|
Take additional courses in area of interest.
Develop strong presentation and public speaking
skills.
Obtain specialized training for opportunities in
protective services or law enforcement.
Complete an internship with a government organization.
Learn federal, state, and local job application
procedures. |
| |
GENERAL INFORMATION
• Bachelor's degree is sufficient for entry-level positions.
• Advanced degrees are essential for clinical and therapeutic counseling positions.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. is often needed for administrative and supervisory positions.
• Ph.D. is required for college teaching and advanced research positions.
• Additional or specialized training qualifies one for higher paying and positions of greater responsibility.
• Obtain part-time, summer, internship, or volunteer experience in child care, schools, hospitals, camps, or overseas programs or in advocacy or service-oriented
programs dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse, family violence, aging, poor, or disabled populations.
• Obtain certification in CPR, safety, and first aid for adults, children, and infants.
• Develop interest and gain experience in computers, arts, crafts, music, or physical activitiy.
• Obtain certification for specialized areas including Child Life Specialist or Child Advocacy. |
| Click here for a print-friendly PDF |
| Related links: |
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