If you are looking for a rewarding career that involves helping others, the fields of health and human services may be calling your name. Healthcare and human service professionals are more important today than ever before. The global pandemic hit the U.S. hard, between the lives lost and the escalating mental health issues COVID-19 has caused. In the worst way, the world has learned that health and human service workers are critical to our general health.

And now, health and human services careers are very much in demand. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment of healthcare workers to grow 15 percent by the year 2029, adding about 2.4 million new jobs. Similarly, the BLS predicts that social and human service careers will grow about 12 percent in the next decade, adding almost 350,000 new jobs.

The rate of growth for both fields is much faster than the average for all occupations. And the demand is for good reason. In the healthcare field, we continue to need frontline workers who can meet the needs of a growing number of patients. The baby boomer population is aging, and more older persons are requiring quality healthcare. In addition, human services are needed in a variety of settings, from rehabilitation centers to psychology and social work.

As you consider a health and human services program to launch your career, you may also be wondering about the specific paths you can take to land a career you love. Read on, as we break down the types of careers you may pursue within the health and human services field.

Human Services
During the pandemic, one thing that has become clear is the importance of a helping hand, a listening ear, or a shoulder to lean on. As the famous quote goes, “It is in the shelter of each other that people live.” It is the people in our lives can be the greatest support system of all. They are the ones who help us get by and thrive.

Human services professionals dedicate their careers to this. They help to address the pressing needs of the public, make a positive impact on others, and improve people’s overall quality of life. They may work with struggling children, troubled teenagers, homeless adults, elder veterans, and more—wherever their work is needed, they will follow.

A degree in human services (offered at the associate and bachelor’s degree level) can land you a successful career in any of the following, growing roles:

• Case Manager
• Community Outreach Worker
• Counselor
• Crisis Advocate
• Intake and Interviewing Specialist
• Mental Health Associate
• Probation Officer
• Rehabilitation Specialist
• Youth Worker
• Corrections Counselor
• Job Coach
• Rehabilitation Specialist
• Social Service Specialist

Healthcare
As much as everyone wanted COVID-19 to disappear in 2020, the fact remained that this virus was real and had a real impact on millions of lives. Because of the surge in cases, retired nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals were asked to come out of retirement and volunteer their services. The demand for healthcare professionals still exists, as the virus develops and as the baby boomer population continues to grow (and need healthcare) at record rates.

Some of the healthcare careers you can pursue at Goodwin, to be on the frontlines of care, include:

• Registered Nursing
• Respiratory Therapy
• Advanced Nursing Practice (APRN)
• Medical Assisting
• Occupational Therapy Assisting

Public Health
Epidemics, pandemics, disease outbreaks, and health threats to our public will continue, even after COVID-19. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes and obesity are just a couple of examples of these health concerns. Even without a global pandemic, there is a real need for committed, trained experts to step up, respond, and protect our communities from threats like these to our collective safety.

With a career-focused Public Health program, like the one at Goodwin University, you can gain the skills and knowledge needed to advance in this important industry. Classes at Goodwin are taught by industry content experts. Their experience can offer insight better than any textbook could provide. This program also offers comprehensive training that will prepare you for a variety of career paths upon graduation, such as:

• Case Worker/Manager
• Child Development Specialist
• Clinic Secretary
• Community Health Education Coordinator
• Community Health Worker
• Community Outreach Assistant/Specialist
• Consumer Advocate
• Customer Care Agent
• Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
• Health and Nutrition Coordinator
• Hospital Outreach Worker
• Injury Prevention Specialist
• Patient Navigator
• Peer Recovery Coach
• Professional Healthcare Representative
• Program Manager/Coordinator
• Public Health Analyst/Advisor/Educator/Officer
• Resource Specialist
• Youth Navigator

This program also offers flexibility that you might need for your busy life. Classes are offered during the day or evening, and coursework is available in a hybrid online/on-campus format. This way, you can pursue your career goals without putting the rest of your life on hold.

Health Science

If you are more administration and care-focused, you will want a health and human services degree like Health Science. This type of program is designed for entry-level health professionals and those just looking to get started in healthcare. There are two options within this area of study at Goodwin: Bachelor of Science and Associate in Science.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from Goodwin, you can choose between four tracks:

• Environmental Health (studying environmental conditions and human health)
• Healthcare Administration (preparing for a managerial, business-focused healthcare role)
• Bachelor’s Degree Completion (for those that already possess a certification, licensure, or professional experience)
• Healthcare Career Exploration (for those that have not yet decided on a specific healthcare profession)

With this type of degree under your belt, you can choose to pursue the following careers:

• Health Educator
• Medical Technologist
• Nutritionist

Depending on your career goals and timeline, you may be interested in the Associate Degree in Health Science. This program offers students five tracks to choose from, including:

• Billing and Coding (for those interested in the administrative side of the job)
• Health Care Career Exploration (for those who want to explore various career options in healthcare)
• Pre-Professional
• Associate Degree Completion (for those who have already obtained certification)
• Transfer options for students looking to continue their education in a related field

With an associate degree in hand, students may go on to pursue the following careers:

• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
• Emergency Medical Technician
• Pharmacy Technician

Much like the programs listed above, Health Science classes are offered days, nights, and weekends, too. They are available on campus, online, and in a hybrid format. Goodwin understands the growing need for convenience and flexibility in our busy world. You can maintain your job and your personal responsibilities while investing in your future.

Whether you earn your associate or bachelor’s, a health and human services degree can prepare you to take on a range of positions that can make an impact– and that are in high demand. With the need being greater than ever before, now is the time for students to step forward and earn the education to make a real difference in our world.

If you want to strike while the iron is hot on health and human services careers, jumpstart your dream career now. Contact Goodwin University to learn about the flexible programs available. Call 800-889-3282 or visit us online to request more information.