What can I do with a major in human development?

Areas

Teaching
Administration

Employers

Church/religious organizations  
Montessori schools
Private, public, franchise, and corporate daycare centers
Private homes
Family daycare
Extended school programs

Sample occupations

Develop physical stamina for working with children.
Acquire certification/licensing for daycare and public school teaching.

Areas

Employers

Community centers
YMCA, YWCA  
Consumer protection agencies
Summer camp programs
Adult and child daycare providers
Programs servicing children and adults with special needs
Hospitals
Rehabilitation organizations
Retirement homes
Travel agencies
Insurance companies
Church/religious organizations

Sample occupations

Seek related work experience particularly summer camps or special needs areas.
Obtain Child Life Certification for some areas.

Areas

Employers

Profit & nonprofit organizations geared to services for children, youth, families or senior citizens  
Adult and child daycare providers
Senior citizens’ programs  
Group homes
 Half-way houses  
Youth services agencies
Federal, state and local government particularly Departments of Welfare and Health
Foundations and funding organizations

Sample occupations

Take counseling/social work courses as minor or double major.
Obtain a master’s degree in counseling, social work or rehabilitation counseling to provide therapy.
Get a graduate degree for most administrative positions.
Learn federal, state and local government application process.

Areas

Teaching
Research
Counseling
Administration
Home Economics
Vocational Rehabilitation
Parent-Child Education
Curriculum Development
Early Childhood Special Education

Employers

Public and private schools K-12
Public preschool programs, e.g., Head Start
Private preschool programs
Adult education programs
Colleges and universities
Programs servicing children and adults with special needs
Montessori schools
Government

Sample occupations

Acquire certification/licensing for public school teaching K-12.
Obtain Ph.D. for college and university teaching and research.
Acquire certification for daycare and parent-child education.
Obtain a graduate degree for counseling and administrative positions.
Learn federal and state government job application process.
Double major in Special Education.

Areas

Social Services  
Childcare Programs  
Advocacy  
Education 

Employers

Hospitals  
Healthcare facilities 
Mental heath organizations
Health and wellness agencies 
Hospices 

Sample occupations

Take counseling/social work courses.
May need a master’s degree in counseling, social work or specialized area.
Obtain experience in advocacy.
Acquire licensing/certification for some areas.

Areas

Management 
Sales
Consulting 
Credit Departments
Staff Benefits
Marketing Research

Employers

Corporate care for children and adults
Daycare facilities
Department and retail stores
Manufacturing companies of children’s clothes, toys, furniture and food
Insurance companies 
Banks and financial institutions

Sample occupations

Obtain a minor in business.
Get related experience.
Secure leadership positions on campus.
Develop business skill in finance, accounting, marketing/sales, taxes, and bookkeeping.

Areas

Journalism
Advertising 
Public Relations
Writing/Editing
Research

Employers

Advertising agencies
Book publishers 
Trade associations
Radio and TV stations 
Nonprofit organizations 
Government agencies 
Manufacturers of related goods
Newspapers and magazines, particularly those geared to children/family

Sample occupations

Minor or double major in journalism.
Develop excellent grammar, verbal and writing skills.
Submit articles/books for publication.

Areas

Human/Social Services
Rehabilitation
Home Economics
Legislation

Employers

Federal, state and local government agencies including:

• Mental health agencies
• Military child care programs
• Overseas child care and education programs
• Criminal justice system
• Health and wellness agencies
• Women’s protective agencies

 Departments of Health, Education and Welfare, Sanitation, Fire/Safety, Nutrition, Cooperative Extension Vocational rehabilitation 

Sample occupations

Learn federal, state and local job application procedures.
Take additional courses in area of interest.