People who enjoy working with children might choose careers in human development.
1 What Qualities Make a Good Developmental Psychologist?
2 What Are Some Jobs Dealing With Children?
The study of human development involves examining issues related to growth, development and behavior during the entire lifespan, from birth until old age. Many people who work in the field of human development choose to specialize on specific stages of development, such as old age, adolescence or early childhood. Depending on your level of education and experience, you may be able to choose from a variety of human development careers that emphasize working with children.
Child protective services workers usually have at least a bachelor's degree in human development or a related field. They are almost always employed in government-run child protective services agencies. Child protective services workers offer support and counseling to abused or neglected children and their families. They also help arrange for concrete services, such as temporary housing and foster care. They may decide when children should be removed from or reunited with their families. The Child Welfare League of America reports that there is a significant shortage in the number of qualified child welfare workers in the U.S.
School psychologists are master's- or doctoral-level practitioners who specialize in child and adolescent development. They work in elementary and secondary schools to help children and adolescents throughout their educational careers. They provide academic, emotional and social support and try to remove barriers to learning. They also consult with teachers and parents to provide advice about behavioral, social or emotional problems. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for school psychologists is expected to increase at a higher rate than the national average for other occupations from 2010 to 2020.
Early childhood educators generally work with children between the ages of three and five. They may have just a high school diploma if they work in private schools, but most public schools require at least a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Early childhood education degrees include coursework in human development, educational theories and other relevant areas. Early childhood educators help prepare children for kindergarten and teach skills related to development, such as social or language skills. The demand for early childhood educators is expected to increase faster than the national average for other occupations from 2010 to 2020, according to the BLS.
People who wish to pursue a career in human development but do not have any post-secondary education might decide to become childcare workers. Although some childcare workers may have degrees in early childhood education, many just have high school diplomas. Childcare workers tend to children when their regular caregivers are unavailable. They play with children, take care of their basic needs, like feeding or diaper-changing and ensure the safety of children in their care. The BLS reports that the demand for childcare workers is expected to grow faster than the national average for all other occupations from 2010 to 2020.
Miller, Ashley. "Career in Human Development With a Child Emphasis." Work - Chron.com, http://work.chron.com/career-human-development-child-emphasis-19393.html. Accessed 21 April 2019.