Majors at the University of Connecticut

Human Development and Family Studies

A major in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) provides students with an in-depth, multidisciplinary understanding of individual and family development and change over the lifespan. Students are oriented to the broader context within which families function, including the impact on race, gender, class, ethnicity and social policy. Integrating comprehensive classroom and service learning education in human development and family relations with opportunities for research and fieldwork programs, the School of Family Studies serves as a major educational and training facility for students interested in human services' careers.

Academic Department

• UConn's School of Family Studies

Nature of Work

Human Development and Family Studies graduates work in environments that help clients obtain benefits or services. They may assess the needs and establish the eligibility of clients for services. They may examine financial documents such a s rent receipts and tax returns to determine whether the client is eligible for food stamps, Medicaid, or other welfare programs, for example. They may also inform clients how to obtain services; arrange for transportation and escorts, if necessary; and provide emotional support. They also monitor and keep case records on clients and report progress to supervisors. They may transfer or accompany clients to group meal sites, adult daycare programs, or doctors' offices; telephone or visit clients' homes to make sure services are being received; or help resolve disagreements, such as those between tenants and landlords. Human Services Workers play a variety of roles in community settings. They may organize and lead group activities, assist clients in need of counseling or crisis intervention, or administer a food bank or emergency fuel program. Working conditions of Human Services workers may vary. Many spend part of their time in an office or group residential facility and the rest in the field visiting clients or taking them on trips, or meeting with people who provide services to the clients (Real People Working in The Helping Professions, 1998).

Sample Job Titles

Potential Employers

Many of the jobs for students pursuing a degree in Human Development and Family Studies degree are contained within county, state, and governmental agencies such as social services, child welfare, and health and human services. Hospitals, nursing homes, and other health related centers also offer potential employment opportunities for HDFS majors. Finally, courts and school systems also have many positions available for individuals interested in the human services related field.

Useful Skills

One primary skill that all students must possess upon entering the human services' field is interpersonal communication. Individuals entering this arena will come across people from all aspects of society with a variety of different problems and concerns. It is extremely necessary that these individuals possess a broad knowledge of human understanding in order to properly communicate with and assist these clients. Other skills important for individuals seeking employment within human services are: problem solving, critical thinking and comprehension skills. In order to offer advice, one must be able to listen attentively and assess a situation before they can give positive feedback for the client.

Getting Experience

For individuals entering the human services' fields, there is no one clean, clear cut job path to follow. Instead, these individuals must narrow down the types of organizations and positions they may naturally gravitate toward, and then pursue the proper avenues for future employment.

Performing an internship, field work, volunteer work, or some other type of experiential learning opportunity allows the student to start this narrowing down process, while simultaneously increase that student's marketability. The more internships one performs, the more he/she develops a feel for potential job interests, and the more marketable he/she becomes. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that individuals entering this field obtain as much practical experience as possible.

Employment Opportunities

The helping profession provides a wide range of employment possibilities in a variety of different industries. Students are provided with an understanding of human development across the lifespan, which can translate to success in a variety of human service careers. Day care centers, child advocate programs, community youth centers, mental health agencies, marriage and family clinics, drug and alcohol treatment programs, and senior citizen centers are all examples of organizations that hire Human Development and Family Studies graduates.

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