Become An Advocate

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Working As An Advocate

Getting Information
Documenting/Recording Information
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Deal with People
Unpleasant/Angry People
Stressful
$38,280
Average Salary

What Does An Advocate Do

Advocates work for law firms or the government. They are legal advisers and representatives of a person or a group.

How To Become An Advocate

Requirements for social and human service assistants vary, although they typically have at least a high school diploma and must complete a brief period of on-the-job training. Some employers prefer to hire workers who have additional education or experience.

Education

Although a high school diploma is typically required, some employers prefer to hire workers who have relevant work experience or education beyond high school. A certificate or an associate’s degree in a subject such as human services, gerontology (working with older adults), or social or behavioral science is common for workers entering this occupation.

Human service degree programs train students to observe and interview patients, carry out treatment plans, and handle people who are undergoing a crisis. Many programs include fieldwork to give students hands-on experience.

The level of education that social and human service assistants have completed often determines the responsibilities they are given. Those with a high school diploma are likely to do lower level work, such as helping clients fill out paperwork. Assistants with some college education may coordinate program activities or manage a group home.

Although postsecondary education is important, some employers may prefer or allow for applicants who have related work experience. In some cases, candidates may substitute such experience in place of postsecondary education.

Training

Many social and human service assistants, particularly those without any postsecondary education, undergo a period of on-the-job training. Because such workers often are dealing with multiple clients from a wide variety of backgrounds, on-the-job training in case management helps prepare them to respond appropriately to the different needs and situations of their clients.

Advancement

For social and human service assistants, additional education is almost always necessary for advancement. In general, advancement to case management or social work jobs requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human services, counseling, rehabilitation, social work, or a related field.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Social and human service assistants talk with clients about the challenges in their lives and assist them in getting help. These workers must be able to listen to their clients and to communicate the clients’ needs to organizations that can help them.

Compassion. Social and human service assistants often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations. To develop strong relationships, they must have compassion and empathy for their clients.

Interpersonal skills. Social and human service assistants must make their clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues. Assistants also need to build relationships with other service providers to become familiar with all of the resources that are available in their communities.

Organizational skills. Social and human service assistants often must complete lots of paperwork and work with many different clients. They must be organized in order to ensure that the paperwork is filed properly and that clients are getting the help they need.

Problem-solving skills. Social and human service assistants help clients find solutions to their problems. They must be able to listen carefully to their clients’ needs and offer practical solutions.

Time-management skills. Social and human service assistants often work with many clients. They must manage their time effectively to ensure that their clients are getting the attention they need.

Some employers require a criminal background check. In some settings, workers need a valid driver’s license.

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Advocate jobs

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Advocate Career Paths

Advocate

Program Manager Program Director Chairperson

Board Of Directors Member

8 Yearsyrs

Counselor Case Manager

Career Manager

6 Yearsyrs

Program Coordinator Assistant Director Office Manager

Case Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Case Manager Therapist

Clinical Director

9 Yearsyrs

Program Coordinator Clinician Clinical Supervisor

Clinical Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Therapist Clinical Supervisor Nursing Director

Clinical Services Director

11 Yearsyrs

Therapist

Clinical Supervisor

8 Yearsyrs

Director Of Social Services

6 Yearsyrs

Program Manager Senior Manager Director

Executive Director

10 Yearsyrs

Service Coordinator Career Coordinator Career Manager

Health Care Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Service Coordinator Registered Nurse Nurse Manager

Health Director

9 Yearsyrs

Residential Counselor Licensed Practical Nurse Occupational Health Nurse

Health Services Manager

7 Yearsyrs

Registered Nurse Case Manager Therapist

Lead Therapist

5 Yearsyrs

Registered Nurse Staff Nurse Case Manager

Mental Health Case Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Legal Assistant Sales Consultant Leasing Consultant

Resident Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Program Director Specialist Direct Support Professional

Residential Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Program Manager General Manager

Service Director

9 Yearsyrs

Program Director Facilitator

Social Services Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Therapist

Social Work Case Manager

6 Yearsyrs

Counselor

Social Work Supervisor

7 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Top Careers Before Advocate

Top Careers After Advocate

Advocate Demographics

Gender

Female
74.4%
Male
23.6%
Unknown
2.0%

Ethnicity

White
77.4%
Hispanic or Latino
13.2%
Asian
7.0%
Unknown
1.8%
Black or African American
0.7%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
65.9%
French
7.9%
German
3.7%
Chinese
3.3%
Mandarin
2.7%
Russian
1.9%
Hindi
1.8%
Arabic
1.8%
Italian
1.6%
Portuguese
1.4%
Urdu
1.4%
Korean
1.0%
Japanese
1.0%
Vietnamese
0.8%
Cantonese
0.8%
Polish
0.7%
Greek
0.6%
Tagalog
0.6%
Hmong
0.5%
Ukrainian
0.5%

Advocate

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Advocate Education

Schools

University of Phoenix
16.2%
Liberty University
7.3%
Capella University
7.3%
Walden University
5.6%
Michigan State University
5.6%
Ashford University
5.4%
Kaplan University
5.1%
University of Central Florida
4.6%
Grand Canyon University
4.6%
New York University
4.1%
Temple University
3.9%
Florida State University
3.8%
University of Illinois at Chicago
3.7%
Strayer University
3.6%
Southern New Hampshire University
3.5%
University of Denver
3.4%
Texas A&M University
3.2%
Syracuse University
3.1%
Sam Houston State University
3.1%
Arizona State University
3.1%

Majors

Degrees

Bachelors
38.9%
Masters
24.2%
Other
18.5%
Associate
8.4%
Doctorate
5.1%
Certificate
3.7%
Diploma
0.9%
License
0.4%

Advocate

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

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Real Advocate Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Advocate	Refugees International	Washington, DC	Jan 01, 2011	$91,800
Sustainable Livestock Advocate	Natural Resources Defense Council	Washington, DC	Jun 08, 2015	$83,000
Quality Advocate	Groupon, Inc.	Chicago, IL	Dec 05, 2011	$83,000 - $105,000
Digital Advocate	Human Rights Watch	New York, NY	Jun 10, 2015	$80,000
Client Business Advocate	First Data Resources, LLC	Alpharetta, GA	Nov 07, 2011	$74,927
Operations Advocate	IBM India Private Limited	Duluth, GA	Mar 30, 2015	$74,630
Advocate	Refugees International	Washington, DC	Jul 02, 2010	$72,500
Advocate	Refugees International	Washington, DC	Sep 03, 2010	$72,500
Client Business Advocate	First Data Resources, LLC	Alpharetta, GA	Sep 04, 2010	$72,393
India Initiative Advocate	Natural Resources Defense Council	New York, NY	Oct 05, 2010	$65,920
Client Advocate	Wise Financial Advisors	New York, NY	Nov 01, 2012	$65,000
Client Advocate	Wise Financial Advisors	New York, NY	Nov 15, 2012	$65,000
Case Advocate	Lutheran Social Services of The National Capital A	Washington, DC	Sep 30, 2013	$42,286
Advocate Counselor	YPIS of Staten Island, Inc.	New York, NY	May 04, 2011	$40,000
Client Advocate	Aids Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc.	Boston, MA	Sep 02, 2015	$37,080
Economic Empowerment & DV Program Advocate	Sakhi for South Asian Women	New York, NY	Jan 01, 2010	$35,700
Chinese Advocate/Caseworker	Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence	Boston, MA	Oct 01, 2011	$35,437
Residential Advocate	New York Asian Women's Center	New York, NY	Apr 28, 2014	$34,000
Advocate	Manavi Inc.	New Brunswick, NJ	Oct 02, 2013	$33,000
Advocate	Manavi, Inc.	New Brunswick, NJ	Sep 18, 2013	$32,885
Guardianship Advocate	AHRC NYC	New York, NY	Oct 18, 2010	$32,640

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Top Skills for An Advocate

Top Advocate Skills

Crisis Intervention
Advocacy Services
Domestic Violence Victims

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Facilitate problem solving and provide crisis intervention service.
Provide advocacy services to current and former residents of Tennessee facilities for developmentally disabled individuals.
Receive inbound calls from domestic violence victims in need of counseling.
Refer victims to other resources such as therapists, support groups, financial assistance, doctors, etc.
Provided assistance to victims in crisis through safety planning, emotional support and/or immediate connections to emergency services.