How to Access New Career Options in Human Services

People who choose to work in Human Services careers are helpers. These are the individuals who take the time to help someone with physical disabilities learn a better way to tie their shoes, they provide adapted techniques to seniors who may have lost some of their mobility and they work to ensure those with addictions can find the resources they need to explore recovery. The field is vast and covers a lot of jobs that help a wide range of individuals. Because the jobs are so diverse there are several ways to move into these new and varied roles.  

Explore Continuing Education Options

The best way to access new career opportunities in Human Services starts with education. Continuing education providers and colleges like Ashton College offer a wide range of courses in the Human Services field like Education Assistant course, autism courses, dyslexia program, recreational therapy programs, RBT training (Registered Behaviour Technician), gerontology courses and more. You will need to explore the field to determine which roles are of interest to you and then establish which courses to take to get into that kind of job. 

Contacting an education provider’s counsellors and instructors will help you better understand which courses are best for the career path you see yourself on. There is no point in taking autism courses if your desire is to work in recreational therapy. 

Because Human Services is constantly growing and changing, there are always new opportunities in the field. This makes an education institution with a history of experience and touchpoints within the sector a great resource and education provider. There is a purpose behind Ashton’s training in Education Assistant courses, autism courses, dyslexia courses, recreational therapy programs, RBT training (Registered Behaviour Technician) and gerontology course; it is because the field is demanding more people in these new and developing roles. This knowledge comes to the college on an ongoing basis from those in the industry looking for trained team members. 

While taking a course is an excellent way to learn about the field, it is not the only way to make use of an education provider. Those who take courses often establish relationships like mentorships with instructors that help them gain further insight into the changes and opportunities in the field. Having access to this kind of “in-the-field” wisdom is invaluable to know which jobs are most in-demand, what the requirements are by employers and what skills can help.   

Get Creative With Your Research

Look at job search sites, then look up those organizations that are hiring on a site like LinkedIn to find team members. While job posting sites can be thorough, they do not always have all the jobs available at a company, nor do they give insight into how that company may hire. With the advent of artificial intelligence, there are companies that use AI tools to review resumes and applications to determine fit and skills in the hiring process. 

If you have identified an organization you would like to work for, use LinkedIn to establish a connection with someone who has or does work there. You may be able to find out about the tools used in the hiring process. If the company uses AI, you will want to ensure your resume fits the qualifications requested so that you are more likely to score an in-person interview. 

Network Early, Network Often

Networking is still a primary source of learning about jobs and finding an in for the right positions to fit your skills and interests. You will want to find out from others in the Human Services field what groups they use for networking and start participating. Do remember though, that networking is about relationship building. It is not a job interview. Do not expect to show up to a networking event on Zoom and be offered a job. It will take time to establish connections, relationships and ultimately the trust that will bring you positive results.  

With the evolution of Human Services, there will always be new positions to look for. These new career opportunities can be found in a variety of ways – some of which are traditional tried-and-true while others are a little more novel.

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