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Job outlook for youth care specialists in the United States
Youth care specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected youth care specialist job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 52,400 new jobs for youth care specialists are projected over the next decade.
Youth care specialist salaries have increased 13% for youth care specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 73,521 youth care specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 133,042 active youth care specialist job openings in the US.
The average youth care specialist salary is $38,955.
Are youth care specialist jobs in demand?
Youth care specialist job and salary trends over time
Youth care specialist jobs over time
Youth care specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 73,521 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 72,200 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 71,864 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 69,459 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 66,376 | 0.02% |
Average youth care specialist salary over time
Youth care specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $38,955 | $18.73 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $37,980 | $18.26 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $36,561 | $17.58 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $35,879 | $17.25 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $34,460 | $16.57 | +3.2% |
Youth care specialist jobs by state
Most common states for youth care specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 299 | 43% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,460 | 36% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 366 | 35% |
| 4 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 413 | 31% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 300 | 31% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 932 | 30% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 228 | 30% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,605 | 29% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 252 | 29% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 180 | 29% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 371 | 28% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 520 | 27% |
| 13 | Alaska | 739,795 | 192 | 26% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,534 | 25% |
| 15 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 3,019 | 24% |
| 16 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,978 | 23% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,641 | 23% |
| 18 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,412 | 23% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 243 | 23% |
| 20 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,249 | 22% |
Most common cities for youth care specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pensacola | 2 | 4% | $36,722 |
| 2 | Sarasota | 2 | 4% | $37,648 |
| 3 | Dania Beach | 1 | 3% | $37,812 |
| 4 | Hallandale Beach | 1 | 3% | $37,817 |
| 5 | Ann Arbor | 2 | 2% | $34,969 |
| 6 | West Palm Beach | 2 | 2% | $37,703 |
| 7 | Bentonville | 1 | 2% | $32,734 |
| 8 | Coconut Creek | 1 | 2% | $37,792 |
| 9 | Fort Pierce | 1 | 2% | $37,492 |
| 10 | Boca Raton | 1 | 1% | $37,773 |
| 11 | Boulder | 1 | 1% | $36,784 |
| 12 | Boynton Beach | 1 | 1% | $37,745 |
| 13 | Columbia | 1 | 1% | $31,446 |
| 14 | Deerfield Beach | 1 | 1% | $37,783 |
| 15 | Delray Beach | 1 | 1% | $37,759 |
| 16 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 | 1% | $37,803 |
| 17 | Greeley | 1 | 1% | $36,625 |
Youth Care Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of youth care specialist experts
Elon University
Austin Community College
University of New Orleans
Grace Christian University
Assumption University
Concordia University Irvine
Ohio Wesleyan University
Auburn University
Nicholls State University
Presbyterian College
Augsburg University
University of Indianapolis
Columbia International University
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Lancaster Bible College
Bluefield State College
University of the Virgin Islands
Francis Marion University
Jennifer Cipollone MA
Director of School Counseling & Af. Professor of Counseling Psychology, Ph.D. Student, Organizational LeadershipWhat will help Youth Care Specialists increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Cipollone MA: Meeting the diverse needs of students, spanning academic, social-emotional, and college and career realms, requires a comprehensive understanding of the school counseling field. Establishing and nurturing relationships with stakeholders, from teachers and administrators to parents and external agencies, is essential for effective interventions but can prove challenging. Amidst these demands, counselors must also commit to ongoing professional development, staying abreast of best practices and emerging trends in school counseling.
What will help Youth Care Specialists increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
What skills will help Youth Care Specialists earn the most?
Monica Burney: Professionals who have additional certifications, including any technology, language, or clinical training certifications, can sometimes negotiate higher salaries depending on if the agency they are applying to have a unique need for those services. Also, professionals with proven fundraising and/or grant writing experience may have opportunities in non-traditional roles or settings that offer higher salaries.
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.
Department Chair: Human ServicesAustin Community College
Human Services Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Youth Care Specialists?
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.: a. Must have strong basic computer skills and knowledge of software such as excel spreadsheets, google docs, etc. Most, if not all, agencies use electronic health records and treatment planning, so it is necessary to be competent in this area.
b. A degree and additional certifications will assist you in seeking employment. It will also increase your level of competency and diversify the communities you serve. For example, at Austin Community College, we offer our students a chance to complete a certification in Mental Health First Aid Training. This increases their marketability and skill level.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Youth Care Specialists?
Christopher Todd Belser Ph.D.: 100 percent, yes. The coronavirus pandemic has greatly impacted the training experiences that emerging graduates have received, especially those who have been working at practicum and internship sites in 2020 and 2021. Many students had to navigate school site closures and pivots to online learning both in their K-12 field site and their graduate coursework. On one hand, this has likely limited some of the experiences they were able to gain as a graduate student, and on the other hand, it forced them to become acquainted with new technologies and new real-world crises while working under a supportive network of university and site supervisors. In addition to the direct impacts on the graduates themselves, the coronavirus pandemic has also sparked conversations about what role school counselors will play in responding to student needs as we move toward a new normal. The events of 2020, including both the coronavirus pandemic and racial justice efforts, will likely be watershed moments for the current generations of K-12 students, and the impacts will be both immediate and long-term. School counselors will need to dive head first into helping K-12 students work through grief/loss, fears and anxieties, academic challenges, motivation loss, career and postsecondary concerns, and a myriad of other issues related to reintegrating into on-site school environments. And as K-12 employees whose identity bridges education and mental health, there will be a great need for school counselors to act as leaders, advocates, collaborators, and change agents in response efforts that are equitable and systems-oriented.
What's a day at work look like for a Youth Care Specialist?
Christopher Todd Belser Ph.D.: I'm not sure there was a "typical day" before COVID-19 for school counselors and I don't think there will be after. Because the pandemic is ongoing, graduates going immediately into school settings may still need to be prepared for environments that are virtual at least to some degree. Even if schools are moving more toward on-site learning, some element of virtual learning will likely still be in place, and if there is an unfortunate need to return to virtual learning, school counselors will need to be prepared to organize their work in that way. More concretely, day-to-day tasks will involve checking-in with specific students, making referrals for long-term mental health care, going into classrooms to deliver counseling-related lessons, conducting small group interventions, meeting with parents and teachers, etc. And because of the magnitude of the COVID-19 impact, school counselors will need to avoid the trap of "random acts of guidance" and be prepared to gathering universal data on student needs and delivering multi-tiered services to students in response to these needs.
What will help Youth Care Specialists increase their earning potential?
Christopher Todd Belser Ph.D.: In many states and districts, school counselor salaries are based on a set pay scale, so earning potential is more tied to getting a school counseling job and keeping that job. New graduates often face the dreaded critique of lacking work experience as compared to more seasoned job candidates. However, newer graduates are also more likely to have been trained to design and deliver multi-tiered interventions and more trained on how to utilize school data to drive school counseling programming. Job candidates looking to stand out will need to be able to concretely discuss how their training will help solve issues that the school is facing, which does involve doing a bit of research on the school to which one is applying. Additionally, graduates need to recognize the importance of ongoing professional development--trainings, workshops, and certifications that equip school counselors to address unique circumstances of the school can only increase a person's effectiveness and longevity as a school counselor. Although grants and other external funding typically don't increase salaries for school counselors, these funding opportunities can help purchase evidence-based programs, support interventions, and buy other necessary materials that can make a school counselor's work a little bit easier. Lastly, school counselors can consider pursuing a doctorate degree in a related field (e.g., counselor education and supervision, educational leadership) to enhance their skills and expertise, open doors for new work opportunities and promotions, and possibly move them up on a pay scale.
Scott Shaw Ph.D.
Dean / Professor of Human Services, School of Social Sciences and Human ServicesGrace Christian University
School of Social Sciences and Human Services
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Youth Care Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Scott Shaw Ph.D.: The biggest trends in the current job market include both technical skills and people skills that can be adapted to multiple settings and with a high degree of cultural intelligence (CQ). Many services are adapting to an online, virtual, or personal-delivery format. This has impacted everything from higher education with virtual classes, and telehealth and virtual service delivery models in medical and mental health services, to products ordered online and being delivered to one's doorstep in lieu of large malls and physical stores. Current job applicants must be able to respectfully engage with people from diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, as well as help meet the needs of their communities as a direct reflection of the companies and careers they represent.
I encourage my students to embrace 'comfort being uncomfortable' and always be learning. What appears to be a "hot market" or "best" career option today may not be the same answer next year. Being able to engage with all people respectfully, listen well, and provide innovative solutions in a sensitive way will go a long way in whatever developments come along in the current and future job market. I also encourage those looking for work to review their social media accounts - employers check social media accounts and one's digital footprint can make or break an interview based on what one posts, as well as reveal a great deal about one's character and values. Skills and technical abilities should be as diversified and multidisciplinary as possible; however, one's character and values should consistently tell a single story about the applicant as a person.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Youth Care Specialists?
Scott Shaw Ph.D.: There is a growing sentiment that generalist knowledge and interdisciplinary education is the way of the future. We are coming out of a "specialist" mindset that previously encouraged students to find their "one thing" or passion. Once the job market shifts (and it will), those with outdated skills find themselves struggling to find their next "one thing." In his New York Times Bestselling book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World (2019), David Epstein makes a case for generalist knowledge and the importance of developing several interests in lieu of only having one major focus. I agree with Epstein's thesis and encourage students to consider studying social sciences and interdisciplinary studies, especially if they are unsure what path or major they are interested in. Having time and dedicated focus to explore interests, personal strengths, and areas of development can help university students experience multiple fields of inquiry that will help them in the current ever-changing job market. Having an ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving to finding creative solutions from different perspectives will advance one's career in almost any market.
I also encourage students to take every opportunity to understand other cultures and perspectives. If able to travel (post-pandemic) on a study abroad, live abroad, or take a short-term trip, then by all means do it. It will expand one's worldview and perspective, as well as one's ability to see the humanity in others from different backgrounds. Employers appreciate applicants who can relay experiences engaging people from different backgrounds and display evidence of emotional and cultural intelligence. If unable to travel internationally, then engage with diverse populations locally and learn from books, articles, documentaries and movies that add to one's cultural awareness and sensitivity. Additionally, having foundational knowledge in technology and statistical literacy can go a long way in almost any field. Current job applicants who display familiarity with MS Office, Google Suite or other common applications can apply this knowledge to most career paths. Many skills and certifications are generalizable to other fields and career paths, so it is important to take every opportunity to always be learning and developing one's understanding.
Susan Scully-Hill Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies and Director of the School Counseling program at Assumption UniversityAssumption University
Department of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Youth Care Specialists?
Susan Scully-Hill Ph.D.: -Being licensed as a school counselor and/or a school adjustment counselor will have the biggest impact on our graduates. Licensed counselors will be sought after to fill student support personnel positions.
-Coursework focused on academic, learning, social, emotional, and behavioral interventions will be essential for counselors who wish to work in the schools and have a positive impact on student learning outcomes.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Youth Care Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Michael Eschelbach Ph.D.: Any and every job that is either unaffected by a pandemic (essential workers) or jobs that flourish because of the pandemic; delivery people and methods, producers of packaging; disposable products, plexiglass production, and fabrication; whatever can provide people with as many choices as possible that can be delivered to their home.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Youth Care Specialists?
Michael Eschelbach Ph.D.: Medically related, including counseling. Apart from Covid, certifications/licenses/courses that are in demand; health care always but also in the trades.
What's a good job out of college for Youth Care Specialists?
Michael Eschelbach Ph.D.: A good job out of college is any job, some might argue. A better job would be one that employs what you studied in college because it asks you to do what you prepared to do. A still better job is one that offers the opportunity to use the whole college experience in problem-solving, creativity, interpersonal relationships - learning, thinking, and communication skills that allow you to see an opportunity, be inspired by it, and pursue it.
What experience really stands out on Youth Care Specialist resumes?
Dr. Andrew Busch: For students looking to get into graduate school and those looking to get hired within the field of Exercise Science (Physiology, Kinesiology, Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Strength Coaching) the more hands-on experiences one can be exposed to, the better equipped they will be to hit the ground running. I know of many different four-year institutions that hand out degrees in this field where the students never actually work with a real person. Everything is a theory or textbook-based approach, and while those things are certainly important, if a student is never asked to actually apply those concepts, and asked to respond to the issues/questions that arise when those concepts don't always work like advertised in the textbook, they are missing out on the big picture of what a degree should be giving them. If practical experiences are not part of a given academic program, then students should seek out these experiences, because that is what they will be asked about in their interview process with employers. What have you done? Why are you interested in this field? What differences can you make? They are never asked what score they got on their midterm or final exam.
Adam Greer
Career Services SpecialistAuburn University
Department of Human Development and Family Science
What skills stand out on Youth Care Specialist resumes?
Adam Greer: Clearly, the distance/online working skills will stand out with our HDFS majors. Our students have a strong foundation in learning to work with people, and now they have a new way to work with people and remove barriers that might have previously prevented an in-person meeting.
Dr. Stephanie Baran
Instructor, SociologyNicholls State University
Social Sciences Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Youth Care Specialists?
Dr. Stephanie Baran: I think there will be an impact, but I don't necessarily think graduates in the social sciences will find an issue getting jobs. If anything, at least what I've seen from my students is that they are resilient and are flexible to the changes that occur around them. So, the impact that the coronavirus had on graduates showed them ways they could innovate and be responsive to changes. I think those qualities are desirable for post-graduate work.
I also don't necessarily think sociology will "change"-the social impact of the coronavirus-how it continues to affect groups in varying intersections of race, class and gender are all the main threads of sociological inquiry. Students may find more opportunities post-graduation in organizations that address social stressors-like the impact on mental health services, social services and how the pandemic disparately impacted women, women of color, BIPOC and marginalized groups in different ways and how society directly feels the impact from inaction from governmental structures.
What type of skills will young Youth Care Specialists need?
Dr. Stephanie Baran: I do not believe this has changed much-aside from the increase of distance learning. I know that in my teaching experience, the things students learn in class are directly relatable to their future endeavors. Sociology teaches its majors, minors and (other students simply taking the course for credit) how different social structures impact different lives, differently. Therefore, being able to be proactive, assess situations, understand different relationships are all still important. I think a skill we can as instructors instill in students is simply asking for help and knowing who to talk to/reaching out to others is imperative to mental health. I think employers are the ones that need to shift and provide access to different work/life balance resources, versus the graduate always being on alert.
What experience really stands out on Youth Care Specialist resumes?
Dr. Stephanie Baran: For recently graduated students, or students about to graduate, because they may not have a lot of work experience, it is helpful to use the work they completed in their different courses, emphasizing their ability to think through complex issues, showing the ability to navigate/be flexible then things quickly change. They can also use some of the skills acquired from the pandemic-like more online/computer skills, which may be helpful to their coworkers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Youth Care Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Carla Alphonso: I expect more remote work options and also more jobs opening in health care and social services. Not only due to the pandemic but to the aging of the babyboomers. We will see a greater need for medical social workers, hospital administration, and non-profit administration (and especially in the nursing home/assisted living sector). Contact tracing and research on human social behaviors during the pandemic will continue to be important.
What skills stand out on Youth Care Specialist resumes?
Dr. Carla Alphonso: Skills involving data collection and analysis remain important, and are one of the qualities that help sociology majors to stand out compared to their peers. Communication skills, especially strong writing skills but also confident, effective public speaking, are helpful in today's job market. Sociology students are also well-positioned in terms of problem solving and critical thinking skills. Many jobs that our students enter need applicants who are solutions-focused, and sociology helps students in that area.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Youth Care Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Carla Alphonso: Sociology students can easily find work wherever there are people and wherever there are social problems. In other words, just about anywhere! Again, due to the aging of the babyboom generation, I would recommend areas that have large proportions of elderly including Florida, Maine, and West Virginia. More jobs may be available in urban areas, but there are needs for workers with sociology skills in rural areas, too. More social services and non-profits are located in urban areas and especially in/around state capitals.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Youth Care Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Christina Erickson Ph.D.: The market for social workers has remained high for several years. Social workers have become an important component of most health care settings and the pandemic has only increased this reality. I don't anticipate any shortages in medical social work in the years to come, only growth. Medical social work is particularly interesting for people who care about the connection between physical and mental health, like the idea of working in a health care setting, and appreciate a fast paced environment. However, the pandemic will likely impact other social workers, too. School social workers will likely assist in addressing back to school issues for families, and certainly social workers who care for elders, and those who assist with death and dying. Because social workers are found in so many different sectors of society, much of their work will be impacted by the pandemic.
What Youth Care Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christina Erickson Ph.D.: Gap years are welcome for students. Generally, I see a great deal of maturity as students move through the four years of college and this is necessary to prepare them for the demands of being a professional social worker. A gap year often increases the maturity level of students and can provide rich experiences that prepare them for college. A good gap year for a social work student includes human interactions that require students to work across human differences. That difference can be in a variety of forms, age, culture, gender, faith tradition, experiences, or even ways of thinking. What matters most is the student's ability to describe their own growth as they worked across those differences. Not about how other people changed because of their interaction, but how they changed to meet their goals and learn from others. Experience solving problems is helpful, too. Even learning how to take the first steps to deal with a challenge and being able to describe the steps, grows critical thinking and evaluation skills important for the most successful social work practitioners.
What general advice would you give to a Youth Care Specialist?
Christina Erickson Ph.D.: First, don't be afraid of informational interviews. You'll find social workers in many parts of society, and many of them will love to talk about their experiences. Draft up a few questions, three will suffice, and interview someone to see if the kind of work they do interests you.
Second, peruse the website of the National Association of Social Workers. As the professional organization for social workers, they house enormous amounts of information about careers, education, requirements for continuing education, and give you a sense of the direction social work is headed as a profession. Find out if you are comfortable with their information and how they discuss the profession and the future they suggest.
Finally, social work is a licensed profession, like teaching, nursing, law or medicine. Make sure you want to enter a profession in which you are required to be licensed by passing a test, follow a code of ethics, and commit to continuing education to maintain your license over many years. In most states there is a governing body that manages licensing. Look up the name of your state, the word license, and social work to learn more about what that would entail where you hope to work.
Dr. Charla Davis
Assistant Professor & Director of Clinical TrainingUniversity of Indianapolis
College of Applied Behavioral Sciences-Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Youth Care Specialists?
Dr. Charla Davis: I think that there will be both positive and negative impacts due to the coronavirus pandemic. A positive component is that students will be well-versed in providing virtual therapy experiences as well as professional meetings, as we have been forced to engage on this platform to help us get through the pandemic. A negative component is that students may have some struggles with interpersonal professional engagement (i.e. learning to read the room/audience), as they have had lesser experiences with this in the classroom.
What experience really stands out on Youth Care Specialist resumes?
Dr. Charla Davis: All practicum experiences really stand out and will tell a future employer the exact experiences the student has had and that is why it is important to keep a well-documented curriculum vitae rather than a resume.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Youth Care Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Seth Scott Ph.D.: The pandemic of loneliness existed prior to this current pandemic and contributed to the rising rates of anxiety and depression in our society in the past decade, so with the forced isolation created by this virus the rates of anxiety, depression, and fear, along with the comorbid physical health problems to these mental health issues, will also increase. Life lived virtually can provide some continuity for maintaining existing relationships, but cannot replace in-person, reciprocal friendships built on mutual aid for building value and belonging. Therefore, these mental health needs and escalating loneliness will create significant need for skilled counselors able to provide effective counseling both in-person and through virtual formats to bridge the chasm of fear and isolation peaking through this pandemic.
I believe that we are also seeing a promotion of safetyism in our culture, which suggests that anything that is difficult or fearful should be avoided, which further exacerbates fear and avoidance, creating a society that lacks the capacity for engaging in the discipline and hard work of living life, learning, and growing. This retreat to safety will create a gap among jobs in the service industry where people have traditionally learned the basic skills and discipline of work.
Dr. Susan Reay
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Nebraska at Omaha
Grace Abbott School of Social Work
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Youth Care Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Susan Reay: There is always a need for social work. As an essential worker, individuals who hold social work degrees are positioned for job opportunities in multiple health care sectors to include medical, mental health, corrections, policy, and other vital areas of practice. One of the lessons learned from the pandemic is that social work is here to stay. As a recession proof job, social work is more vital than ever with job opportunities readily available.
Melissa Boas
Director of Professional School Counseling, Assistant ProfessorLancaster Bible College
Counseling & Social Work Department
What Youth Care Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Melissa Boas: I believe the most important skill to enhance if taking a gap year is self-awareness. Understanding oneself and why and how self-awareness directly relates to future career decision making is instrumental in ensuring the right decisions are made. Self-awareness is extremely beneficial in all areas of life not just in choosing a career pathway.
Colin Cavell
Professor of Political ScienceBluefield State College
School of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Youth Care Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Colin Cavell: The United States is currently beset by a global pandemic, large-scale unemployment, racial, gender, and class divisions, and has many international challenges it must deal with in its foreign policies. Indeed, human society and its concomitant problems and opportunities indicate that careers for social sciences graduates will blossom, expand, and become of increasing significance in the coming decade. Yes, traditional careers for social sciences graduates will continue, such as lawyers, politicians, foreign policy analysts, lobbyists, campaign organizers, military analysts, teachers, writers, reporters, editors, paralegals, public relations specialists, market research analysts, grant writers, archivists, museum curators, librarians, historical researchers, guidance counselors, human resource representatives, management consultants, media representatives, administrators, industrial organization psychologists, psychiatry, counselors, therapists, etc. And it is certain that many new careers requiring a social sciences background will develop as our society evolves technologically, culturally, and politically. In short, if one is interested in human beings and their behavior and societal relations, then one should definitely first prepare themselves with a social sciences degree to ensure you are fully equipped - intellectually, ethically, and practically - in order to be able to contend with whatever social, political, and economic challenges one confronts as they construct their lives and define their contributions.
Social scientists engage in analyzing societies from various perspectives - including historical, sociological, psychological, economic, political, etc. We survey the historical antecedents which precede subsequent developments, we examine the various sociological aspects of a society in order to understand the multiple social forces impacting upon the population of a society, we analyze the separate but numerous psychological factors underpinning the behavior of disparate groups within a society, we examine the variety of economic relations which reproduce ourselves and our world, and we explore the probable consequences that may result from pursuing certain policies as opposed to others.
It is the mission of social scientists to research, study, document, and teach students the methods of social science so that they may be able to make informed decisions about their world, understand how it has come to be, and act using Constitutional processes available to either alter conditions or reinforce existing institutions as desired.
The Bluefield State Social Sciences Department is your launching pad for life-affirming careers, and we are ready and willing to assist you in charting your path forward.
Xuri Maurice Allen Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education and Program CoordinatorUniversity of the Virgin Islands
School of Education, Master of Arts in School Counseling (MASC) Program
What experience really stands out on Youth Care Specialist resumes?
Xuri Maurice Allen Ph.D.: Experience that indicates the applicability of skills inherent to school counseling really stands out on resumes. It is important that graduates indicate the experiential training and professional development activities they have had that facilitated their acquisition of knowledge, awareness, and skills in counseling. Experiences such as practicums, internships, and prior work experience within school settings should be included on resumes. Graduates' research activity and scholarly writing that is published in academic journals stand out on resumes, as well.
What experience really stands out on Youth Care Specialist resumes?
Dr. Jessica Burke: The skills that would really stand out on resumes include experience with distance learning; Zoom; and other technological skills, such as creating and editing videos; exceptional written and oral communication skills; and research skills, such as conducting data analysis and being able to correctly interpret the data would not hurt during a time when facts are often distorted.