Students in child and family studies prepare for a variety of challenging careers working with children and their families. They gain significant hands-on experience in an internship specifically selected to match their interests. In this way, they apply classroom theory in a real-life setting and nurture future career contacts. After graduating, they use their skills in a variety of professional settings, including early childhood and intervention programs, social service agencies, schools and preschools, community organizations, and parenting programs. They might also pursue graduate training in child and family studies, social work, law, psychology, marriage and family therapy, individual and family studies, or education. Jobs for graduates of the child and family studies program are plentiful in both urban and rural settings.

Sample job titles, including description and possible requirements:

Title	Description/Requirements
Child Life Specialist	Assist hospitalized children and their families before, during, and after hospital stay
Childbirth instructor/midwife	Plan program for pregnant women, assist in delivery—Nursing background or certification
Publisher, children's books	Editing, sales, advertising, illustration, writing
Crisis Center Specialist	Entry level counseling—Certification (on-site training)
Early Childhood/Preschool teacher	Pre-kindergarten education—Human Development/Education certification and experience
Employee Services Manager	Coordinate employee services
Employment Interviewer/Recruiter	Employee screening and interviewing
Health Educator	Plan and organize programs—background in health, education, or science
Human Services Worker	Consulting, federal state agencies, local shelters, halfway houses
Infant Caregiver	Provide care and education for infants and toddlers—State requirements
Parent Educator	Assist parents of newborns in the development of parenting skills
Parole Officer	Supervise probations and paroles
Psychiatric Aide	Intervention, implementation of treatment plans—Background in counseling, human services
Recreation Aide	Assist in athletics programs—Degree or experience in physical ed.
Remedial Subject Instructor	Teach and evaluate remedial students—Background in education, or special education
Research Assistant	Research, compile, and analyze data
Retirement Counselor	Counseling or training program, support groups, senior centers
Teacher	State Certification (Elementary, middle, secondary)
Youth Services Worker	Provide services for troubled teens in residential treatment settings, group homes, activity centers

Career resources for students are available in the College of Human Ecology Career and Professional Development Center.