A   R   E   A   S

 

E   M   P   L   O   Y   E   R   S

 

S   T   R   A   T   E   G   I   E   S

 

HUMAN  SERVICES

Counseling, Advocacy, Human

Health Services                       

 

      Federal Government depts of Health & Human Services, Veterans' Administration, and Justice

      State Govt depts of Human Services, Mental Health, and Mental Retardation, psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, facilities for the mentally retarded, and probation/parole depts

      Local Government:  senior citizens' centers

      Non-Profit Organizations such as United Way, Goodwill Industries, Boys and Girls Clubs, and YWCA/YMCA

 

      Obtain essential practical experience such as residence hall adviser or camp counselor

      Enroll in an internship or practicum

      Perform volunteer services such as Special Olympics, Big Brother/Sister, or crisis hotline

      Learn foreign language for multi-cultural clients

      Become familiar with government hiring procedures

      Be willing to relocate

      Be prepared to obtain a masters degree for more substantive counseling work

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

      Federal, state, and local governments

      National headquarters and local branches of nonprofit organizations

 

      Consider a business double major or minor

      Gain experience in counseling, advocacy, or administration

      Need masters in health care administration for advancement

 

COMMUNITY  RELATIONS

 

      Federal, state, or local government

      Local branches of national non-profit organizations

 

      Gain experience in counseling, advocacy, or administration

      Gain knowledge of community problems and govt resources

 

PROGRAM  DEVELOPMENT

 

      Federal, state, or local government

      Headquarters and branches of non-profit organizations

 

      Gain experience in counseling, advocacy, or administration

      Obtain graduate degree for advancement

 

RESEARCH

 

      Federal government, especially Dept of Health & Human Services and National Institute of Education

      National headquarters of non-profit organizations

 

      Develop strong quantitative, statistical, and research skills

      Obtain graduate degree for advancement

 

HUMAN  RESOURCES

Employment & Recruitment, Labor Relations, Compensation & Benefits

 

      Human resources (personnel) departments of companies

      Government personnel agencies and departments

      Employment agencies

 

      Acquire related experiences such as a residence hall adviser, new student orientation leader, admissions office tour guide/recruiter, or member of committees that make policy, settle disputes, or adjudicate cases

 

PUBLIC  RELATIONS

Research,  Programming, Fund-Raising, Writing & Editing, Special Events, Media Placement, Public Speaking

 

      Public relations and advertising firms

      Companies with in-house PR depts

      Trade associations

      Federal, state, and local government

      Colleges and universities

      Non-profit organizations

 

      Develop strong writing and speaking skills

      Obtain related experiences with campus newspaper, TV, or radio, Admissions office tour guide or recruiter, Student activities office planning

      Serve as a fund raiser or political canvasser

      Find internship through Public Relations Society of America

 

ADVERTISING

Creative,  Media,  Account Services, or Research

 

      Advertising agencies

      Companies with in-house advertising agencies or depts

 

      Obtain experience with campus TV, radio, or newspaper

      Work with a student-run business

      Find an internship with a market research firm or a member of the American Advertising Federation

      Develop a portfolio for a creative position

      Business minor or double major for Account Services jobs

 

MARKET  RESEARCH

 

      Market research firms

      Market research departments of consumer goods and manufacturing firms

 

      Develop strong math/statistics skills

      Become involved in the American Marketing Association

      Obtain a part-time or summer job with a market research firm (see Marketing Services in the yellow pages), perform a Business Dept practicum, become a reporter for campus newspaper, serve as a canvasser/phone interviewer for a charity or political campaign

 

TEACHING

 

      Public and private schools

 

      Obtain a teaching certificate for public school positions

      Seek guidance from the Education Dept in your school

      Volunteer as a tutor

 

RETAIL  and  SALES

 

      All major retail firms including pharmaceuticals, specialty, variety, and department store chains

      Wholesalers, manufacturers, insurance companies, and real estate companies

 

      Obtain related sales experiences with part-time or summer retail job or work with campus newspaper or yearbook

      Secure leadership position in campus organization

      Perform an internship with a retail store

 

This is a modified version of a document entitled Psychology: What can I do with this degree? available from the University of Tennessee Career Services Office.