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Rowan
Student
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I'm figuring out my major. What careers are best if I want to help people ?
My focus especially would be on teens or children who had it rough and giving them the safe environment to heal grow and have the resources to thrive. What majors fit that best and what would be the requirements and step by steps?
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5 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6182
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Rowan!
Ideal Academic Paths for Aspiring Professionals in Youth and Child Advocacy
If you're passionate about aiding children and teenagers who've encountered life's hardships, and wish to foster a nurturing environment for their recovery and growth, numerous academic majors can set you on the right path. Here are some top choices that align with your aspirations:
Psychology: Opting for psychology as a major equips you with profound insights into human behavior, mental health complexities, and therapeutic strategies. Armed with a psychology degree, you can explore professions like child psychology, school counseling, or youth therapy.
Social Work: Majoring in social work empowers you with the necessary skills to assist individuals and families in distress. Social workers frequently interact with children and teenagers in diverse environments such as schools, foster care institutions, or community groups.
Child Development: A focus on child development offers a comprehensive understanding of the physical, emotional, and social growth patterns in children. This major paves the way for roles like child life specialist, early childhood educator, or family support worker.
Counseling: A counseling degree can lead to a rewarding career as a mental health counselor specializing in child and adolescent counseling. Counselors guide individuals through obstacles, foster coping mechanisms, and enhance their overall well-being.
Steps and Prerequisites:
Choose the Appropriate Major: Opt for a major that resonates with your career ambitions of assisting children and teenagers in need. Investigate various programs offered by colleges and universities to determine the most suitable option for you.
Earn Your Degree: Invest your time and effort in your chosen major, meeting all academic prerequisites to secure your degree. Augment your learning with practical exposure through internships or volunteer work with youth groups.
Secure Licensure or Certification: Depending on your chosen career trajectory, you might need to acquire licensure or certification. For instance, practicing as a psychologist independently requires a license.
Acquire Experience: Accumulate practical experience by working with children or teenagers via internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer activities. A robust foundation of practical experience is crucial for breaking into this field.
Pursue Continuing Education: Keep abreast of the latest research and methodologies in your field by seeking continuing education opportunities such as workshops, seminars, or higher degrees.
By adhering to these steps and garnering pertinent experience in the realm of child and teenager advocacy, you can carve out a successful career dedicated to positively influencing young lives.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
American Psychological Association (APA): The APA offers invaluable insights into psychology careers, educational prerequisites for various psychology specialties, and ethical norms for client interaction.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW): The NASW provides resources on social work education, licensing prerequisites for social workers, and optimal practices for aiding vulnerable demographics like children and teenagers.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): The NAEYC is a premier organization concentrating on early childhood education and development. They offer knowledge on child development theories, educational benchmarks for early childhood professionals, and advocacy initiatives for young children's welfare.
God Bless,
JC.
Ideal Academic Paths for Aspiring Professionals in Youth and Child Advocacy
If you're passionate about aiding children and teenagers who've encountered life's hardships, and wish to foster a nurturing environment for their recovery and growth, numerous academic majors can set you on the right path. Here are some top choices that align with your aspirations:
Psychology: Opting for psychology as a major equips you with profound insights into human behavior, mental health complexities, and therapeutic strategies. Armed with a psychology degree, you can explore professions like child psychology, school counseling, or youth therapy.
Social Work: Majoring in social work empowers you with the necessary skills to assist individuals and families in distress. Social workers frequently interact with children and teenagers in diverse environments such as schools, foster care institutions, or community groups.
Child Development: A focus on child development offers a comprehensive understanding of the physical, emotional, and social growth patterns in children. This major paves the way for roles like child life specialist, early childhood educator, or family support worker.
Counseling: A counseling degree can lead to a rewarding career as a mental health counselor specializing in child and adolescent counseling. Counselors guide individuals through obstacles, foster coping mechanisms, and enhance their overall well-being.
Steps and Prerequisites:
Choose the Appropriate Major: Opt for a major that resonates with your career ambitions of assisting children and teenagers in need. Investigate various programs offered by colleges and universities to determine the most suitable option for you.
Earn Your Degree: Invest your time and effort in your chosen major, meeting all academic prerequisites to secure your degree. Augment your learning with practical exposure through internships or volunteer work with youth groups.
Secure Licensure or Certification: Depending on your chosen career trajectory, you might need to acquire licensure or certification. For instance, practicing as a psychologist independently requires a license.
Acquire Experience: Accumulate practical experience by working with children or teenagers via internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer activities. A robust foundation of practical experience is crucial for breaking into this field.
Pursue Continuing Education: Keep abreast of the latest research and methodologies in your field by seeking continuing education opportunities such as workshops, seminars, or higher degrees.
By adhering to these steps and garnering pertinent experience in the realm of child and teenager advocacy, you can carve out a successful career dedicated to positively influencing young lives.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
American Psychological Association (APA): The APA offers invaluable insights into psychology careers, educational prerequisites for various psychology specialties, and ethical norms for client interaction.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW): The NASW provides resources on social work education, licensing prerequisites for social workers, and optimal practices for aiding vulnerable demographics like children and teenagers.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): The NAEYC is a premier organization concentrating on early childhood education and development. They offer knowledge on child development theories, educational benchmarks for early childhood professionals, and advocacy initiatives for young children's welfare.
God Bless,
JC.
Thank you JC!
Rowan
Anika S
Software Engineer Intern
100
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Anika’s Answer
Hi Rowan,
If you want to help teens or children, especially those who have had difficult experiences, there are several majors and career paths that can enable you to create a positive impact. Here are some options and the steps to pursue them:
1. Psychology
Careers:
Child Psychologist
School Counselor
Clinical Psychologist
Mental Health Counselor
Requirements and Steps:
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology: Focus on courses related to child development, abnormal psychology, and counseling.
Graduate Degree (Master’s or Doctorate): Specialize in child psychology or clinical psychology.
Internships/Practicum: Gain practical experience working with children and teens.
Licensure: Obtain the necessary licensure to practice as a psychologist or counselor, which often involves passing exams and completing supervised clinical hours.
Continuing Education: Stay updated with the latest research and techniques in the field.
2. Social Work
Careers:
Child Welfare Social Worker
School Social Worker
Family Therapist
Youth Advocate
Requirements and Steps:
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW): Learn about social services, human behavior, and social welfare policies.
Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW): Specialize in child and family services or school social work.
Fieldwork/Internships: Complete supervised fieldwork placements in settings like schools, child protective services, or community organizations.
Licensure: Obtain licensure to practice as a social worker, which typically involves passing exams and completing supervised hours.
Certifications: Consider additional certifications in child welfare or trauma-informed care.
3. Education
Careers:
Special Education Teacher
School Counselor
Educational Therapist
Youth Program Coordinator
Requirements and Steps:
Bachelor's Degree in Education: Focus on elementary or secondary education with a specialization in special education or counseling.
Teacher Certification: Complete the requirements for teacher certification in your state, which often includes student teaching experience and passing certification exams.
Graduate Degree (Optional): Pursue a master’s degree in education, counseling, or educational psychology for advanced positions.
Experience: Gain experience working with children in educational settings, especially those with special needs or from challenging backgrounds.
If you want to help teens or children, especially those who have had difficult experiences, there are several majors and career paths that can enable you to create a positive impact. Here are some options and the steps to pursue them:
1. Psychology
Careers:
Child Psychologist
School Counselor
Clinical Psychologist
Mental Health Counselor
Requirements and Steps:
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology: Focus on courses related to child development, abnormal psychology, and counseling.
Graduate Degree (Master’s or Doctorate): Specialize in child psychology or clinical psychology.
Internships/Practicum: Gain practical experience working with children and teens.
Licensure: Obtain the necessary licensure to practice as a psychologist or counselor, which often involves passing exams and completing supervised clinical hours.
Continuing Education: Stay updated with the latest research and techniques in the field.
2. Social Work
Careers:
Child Welfare Social Worker
School Social Worker
Family Therapist
Youth Advocate
Requirements and Steps:
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW): Learn about social services, human behavior, and social welfare policies.
Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW): Specialize in child and family services or school social work.
Fieldwork/Internships: Complete supervised fieldwork placements in settings like schools, child protective services, or community organizations.
Licensure: Obtain licensure to practice as a social worker, which typically involves passing exams and completing supervised hours.
Certifications: Consider additional certifications in child welfare or trauma-informed care.
3. Education
Careers:
Special Education Teacher
School Counselor
Educational Therapist
Youth Program Coordinator
Requirements and Steps:
Bachelor's Degree in Education: Focus on elementary or secondary education with a specialization in special education or counseling.
Teacher Certification: Complete the requirements for teacher certification in your state, which often includes student teaching experience and passing certification exams.
Graduate Degree (Optional): Pursue a master’s degree in education, counseling, or educational psychology for advanced positions.
Experience: Gain experience working with children in educational settings, especially those with special needs or from challenging backgrounds.
Thank you so much, Anika!
Rowan
Joe Lovati
Client Communication Specialist
3
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Sure, you could choose to specialize in fields like Social Work, Psychology, Child Development, or Human Development and Human Services. Doing well in your studies can really boost your chances of getting into college and might even land you some scholarships. Keeping your grades up and maintaining a good GPA is key to building a solid educational foundation and getting into the college of your dreams. Once you're in college, you'll have an advisor to guide you on which classes to take. From there, it's all about mastering self-discipline, managing your time wisely, and knowing what your priorities are.
Thank you for the advice, Joe.
Rowan
Laura Turkienicz
Consultant
23
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Laura’s Answer
If you want to help people, some career paths to consider are healthcare professions (such as nursing, social work, or occupational therapy), counseling or psychology, teaching, and non-profit work.
Joseph Ford
170
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Excellent and probably one of the best questions on CareerVillage. This needs no book. Helping kids and keeping them safe is the world's number 1 challenge today. I would also volunteer at any school or community organizations to get some experience. Thanks for selecting this are of study.
Childhood Development
Childhood Education
Social Work
Education Counselor
Family Counselor
Childhood Development
Childhood Education
Social Work
Education Counselor
Family Counselor