In HDFS, we’re committed to the highest quality in academics and career development. Starting with HDFS 101, Issues and Careers in HDFS, and in each of our HDFS applied experience courses, we include career exploration and professional development activities designed to help you find your path to the future. In class and in extracurricular activities, you’ll find ample opportunities to gain practical pre-professional experience in our Child Development Laboratory, the Family Resiliency Center, Child Care Resource Service, and The Autism Program, as well as in the Champaign-Urbana community.
HDFS graduates go on to start careers in child care services, family life education, human services, pediatric services in hospitals, or business activities related to children or families. Many continue their education in graduate or professional school, earning credentials needed to become counselors, occupational therapists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, physicians, attorneys, and more.
To learn more about HDFS-related careers – including educational requirements, salaries, employment prospects and more, select a career area and click on your career.
Social and human service workers have many job titles, including case work aide, clinical social work aide, family service assistant, social work assistant, addictions counselor assistant, and human service worker.
Career counselors (also called vocational counselors) are trained to assist people with the process of making career decisions.
Trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events
Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
Couple and family therapists help people manage and overcome problems with family and relationships.
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patient's teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth.
A developmental therapist serves infants and toddlers from birth to age three with developmental delays or disabilities.
Preschool teachers educate and care for children younger than age 5, who have not yet entered kindergarten.
As a Human resources specialist, you will recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. As well as helping to guide employees through all human resources procedures and answer questions about policies and manage work related conflict.
As a lawyer, you will advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes.
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance.
Mental health counselors help people manage and overcome mental and emotional disorders.
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.
Occupational therapists are health care professionals who help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.
Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain.
Physician assistants, also known as PAs, practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers.
Health educators teach people about behaviors that promote wellness.
School counselors help students develop social skills and succeed in school.
School psychologists apply psychological principles and techniques to education-related and developmental issues.
Social workers are found in a broad range of specialties, but one thing they all have in common is a desire to help people and families connect with the resources they need to help solve or cope with problems.
As a special education teacher, you will work with students from preschool to high school, who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors advise people who struggle with alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, or other behavioral problems, providing treatment and support to help clients recover from addiction or modify problem behaviors.
Youth development workers design and lead leisure activities for groups in volunteer agencies or recreation facilities, such as playgrounds, parks, camps, aquatic centers, museums, and youth centers.