A B.A. in Human Development can offer many different career opportunities depending on what interests you and offers professional growth. It can be hard to choose a career path. After studying the different stages of life and how they impact the mental, biological, and behavioral factors of one’s life, you discover that there are a variety of careers to choose from. These are five common career choices for someone graduating with a B.A. in
- Human Development:
- Organizational Consultant
- Human Resources Manager
- Executive Coach
- Child care Worker
- Social Services Worker
What Does a Human Development Bachelor’s Degree Cover?
A B.A. in Human Development provides students with the foundation of knowledge in how biology, anthropology, history, genealogy, psychology, sociology, education, and religion all affect development in humans. At Pacific Oaks College, there are many options for Human Development programs. Students can hone their knowledge in a specific life stage they are interested in such as early childhood development or adult development. Pacific Oaks also offers all Human Development programs in person at the flagship campus in Pasadena, California, or online for those seeking a more flexible schedule. A human development degree is great for someone looking to help people navigate their developmental process. This field is also great for someone looking to make a difference within organizations to help the workforce with career development.
Lead Case Manager
As a lead case manager, you assist low-income and disabled people who may be experiencing homelessness. While working alongside a team of associates who help to run supportive housing’s day-to-day operations, you are responsible for providing case management resources to those most in need. This can range from substance abuse counseling to monitoring progress or collaborating with other providers.
A lead case manager is an involved and engaging career opportunity. Not only are you providing a key role in supporting clients, but you also may work alongside fellow counselors, volunteers, board members, and the community to help create a positive environment for clients. This can even include fundraising.
How much does a lead case manager make?
According to Zippia.com, the average salary for a lead case manager is $41,072 per year*.
*Data gathered in 2023.
Human Resources Manager
Human resources managers recruit and interview prospective employees, handle compensation and benefits, provide training, manage employee issues, and enforce policies. These tasks support business goals while creating a safe and healthy work environment, and increasing productivity.
Someone looking to start a career in human resources needs to have a strong understanding of human behavior and how best to handle human interactions with certain situations. Having the knowledge from a human development degree can help HR managers effectively manage people-related issues, support employee development, create inclusive work environments, and contribute to organizational success.
How much does a human resource manager make per year?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a human resource manager is $84,690 per year*.
*Data gathered in 2023.
Executive Coach
An executive coach provides guidance to C-suite members of an organization to foster their leadership growth. Sessions with an executive coach are typically confidential to the upper-management members so honest feedback can be provided. Executive coaches can create exercises or training to improve the executive’s leadership skills, help them navigate organizational challenges, and achieve their professional goals.
A bachelor’s degree in human development provides a strong foundation of professional development, leadership principles, and problem-solving abilities. These skills enable executive coaches to effectively support executives in their personal and professional growth.
How much does an executive coach make per year?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for an executive coach is $124,434 a year*.
*Data gathered in 2023.
Child Care Worker
Child care professionals encourage independent play or group activities, inspire healthy eating habits, and prepare the children for school and motivate academic success. Children attend child care at some of their most formative years. As a child care provider, you will be a part of that child’s developmental success. Entrusted with the lives of children, this job comes with weighty responsibilities.
Obtaining a B.A. in Human Development with a specialization in early childhood education and development can help prepare those looking to pursue a career in child care. While most states don’t require formal education beyond a B.A., some states require formal education in early childhood education (ECE) to enter this field. A B.A. focused in early childhood education and development can be the stepping stone to graduate degrees in ECE. Students will have specialized knowledge with diversity in child care, childhood development, and the importance of social context to a child’s development.
How much does a child care worker make per year?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a child care worker is $27,490 per year*.
*Data gathered in May of 2021.
Social Service Worker
Different from a social worker, a social service worker provides mental health therapy to vulnerable children and families. This could range from providing support services such as counseling to the diagnosis and treatment of mental or behavioral problems. A social service worker can work in a variety of settings including shelters, assisted living facilities, senior centers, inpatient facilities, crisis centers, government agencies, and more. A social service worker may work in a group setting or entire communities to foster positive change.
Having a B.A. in Human Development is a great way to start a career in social services. In order to expand post-graduate opportunities, it may be beneficial to obtain a master’s degree in a related field such as human development or social work.
How much does a social services worker make per year?
According to Indeed, the average salary for a social services worker is $59,486 a year*.
*Data gathered in 2023.
Pursuing a Degree in Human Development
With many career opportunities within human development, a bachelor’s degree is a great place to start for all of the options. Pacific Oaks offers in-person and online courses for many different specializations within human development so that you can focus on what matters most to you. Explore the Pacific Oaks College Human Development degree programs today:
Pasadena Campus
- B.A. Human Development: Active Learning Across the Lifespan
- B.A. Human Development: Early Childhood Education and Development
- B.A. Human Development: Social Change
- B.A. in Human Development: Working with Adults
Online
