Objective

Identify career opportunities in the Family and Community Services fields.

Evaluate the impact of employment on personal and family relationships.

Careers In Family and Community Services

Who will you hire?What will you do for a living?

Skills for Living pg 206-207

Employment Opportunities

May work for health care or social service agency

May work for schools, businesses or the government

Some specialize in specific age groups (geriatrics, youth, etc)

Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Many counselors have their own private practice

Some lobbyists are self employed

Entry- Level Jobs

With a high school diploma Caseworker’s aide Geriatric aide Volunteer agencies

Requires OJT- On the Job Training Often requires training workshops

Mid- Level Jobs

With an associate’s degree in Human Services Technology for instance Coordinator of volunteer services Counseling paraprofessional Lobbyist

Professional – Level Jobs

With a Bachelor’s degree Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher Extension agent Rehabilitation counselor Social worker

With an Advance Degree (master’s etc.) Alcohol and drug abuse counselor Family therapist Social welfare administrator

Degrees may be in: Social work Youth Services Family Studies Family & Consumer Sciences

Personal Qualities Needed

Ability to understand human nature True concern for people and their problems Able to communicate with and relate to

clients Able to respect privacy of client records Skill in guiding people and resources Desire to be life-long learners Objective Flexible

Future Trends

Expected to increase Some jobs in the area of research

Impact of technology of the family Effects of technology on person’s development

Services for older adults and family members with disabilities are in demand

Services for immigrants in demand Bilingual skills are an advantage

Demand strong for employment counselors

Unfortunately the pay does not always match the level of responsibility

Career Plan

Take Family & Consumer Sciences courses in high school

Shadow a professional Volunteer work

Impact of Employment on Personal and Family Relationships

What if…. Your dad is an architect in Salisbury. He has been offered a

job which will pay his entire lifetime salary if he agrees to live in Iraq for two years to design new schools.

And… Your mom is a big business consultant who works in California from Monday through Friday, and flies home to Salisbury for weekends.

And… you have two younger siblings, age 8 and 10

This is your senior year of high school

Does work affect family life? Does family life affect your work?

Balancing Family and Work

Pg 189 Skills for Living Textbook One of the biggest challenges of

families Work should be an enjoyable part of

a well rounded life. Family oriented employers are

adapting new programs and benefits to meet the needs of working parents.

The Effects of Work on Family Life

Positive Satisfaction at work

carries over into home

Work confidence can give home confidence

Models a hard work attitude for the children

Requires sharing the responsibilities at home

Negative Time management Work overload Too busy or tired for

self or family

What is a Dual Career Family?

Both spouses work

Effects of Family Life on Work

Positive A supportive family

gives the worker more energy

Negative Worker may be too

tired Worker may be

distracted by things on the mind from home

Worker may be absent due to the needs of the family

How Should I Manage my Multiple Roles?

Set Priorities Priorities are – important tasks

ranked in order of importance. What is best for my family?

More time with them? More money to spend on them?

How Should I Manage my Multiple Roles?

Make Choices Basic relationship skills help families

work through situations when choices need to be made.

Should I work less, more, away from home, etc.

What can I cut back on that would not really hurt my family?

How Should I Manage my Multiple Roles?

Find Reliable, High Quality Child Care

Consider a leave of absence? Have a back up plan for work or

child care if someone is sick Consider flexible hours Consider location and travel time

How Should I Manage my Multiple Roles?

Consider Telecommuting – work in a home office connected by electronic technology

Consider Job – Sharing – two people divide the work of one.

Consider Flextime – set your own hours

Consider Flexible Work Week – 4 long days vs 5 regular days

How Should I Manage my Multiple Roles?

Look for Employee Benefits or Fringe Benefits Life insurance Health insurance Retirement accounts On site child care Vacation time with pay Discounts

Careers In Family and Community Services

Create A Want Ad For:

Skills for Living pg 206-207