A growing number of people are choosing the direct paths of human services careers to make a difference in society. If you have a desire to contribute to society, then there are vast choices of majors and infinite possibilities that you can choose for your altruistic journey. Finding a career that allows you to be beneficial for the well-being of society is a noble pursuit to begin your journey with, but it can be equally challenging to select the degree, especially with the wide choices and resources each major offers. A public services job, such as teaching, nursing, or social work, requires the completion of a bachelor’s degree, with a good pay offer, job security, and employment benefits.
If you are feeling confused about the major you want to select, which simultaneously matches your interest as well as makes a positive impact on others’ lives, we have prepared a list of degrees to help you begin your college application process.
1. Disaster Management
If you want to be a superhero for the public in times of crisis, then choosing a disaster management degree is an adequate option, as it equips you with the skills and knowledge to navigate through chaos and bring order to the chaos. If you are a person that can thrive in pressuring and chaotic situations, this degree prepares you to handle various types of disasters, from natural calamities like hurricanes and earthquakes to human-made emergencies like terrorist attacks or pandemics, while also remaining calm when faced with situations.
However, if you have already completed your bachelor’s in disaster management and now you want to seek a master’s in the same field, there are opportunities to start your online masters in disaster management, which will teach you scientific approaches to prepare and manage for the responses of natural and human-made catastrophes and disasters.
The course outline prepares you to gain knowledge of crisis communication, risk assessment, emergency planning, and resource management. With this knowledge, you can work for governmental organizations, nonprofits, or emergency management divisions. According to the research conducted, it is said that the employment opportunities of emergency management directors are expected to increase by 3% between 2021 and 2031, and the median pay is approximately $76,730 per year. So, if you enjoy helping people who thrive under high-pressure situations, earning a degree in disaster management could be just what you need to create an impact when it counts.
2. Public Health
Studying public health allows you to learn how to prevent diseases, aware the public about health promotion strategies, and establish nondiscriminatory health policies. With a degree in Public Health, you have the chance to improve the well-being of the community and address their public health challenges, such as obesity, chronic conditions, and diabetes.
3. Social Work
This is a major that focuses on helping individuals, families, and communities in need. The job description of a social worker includes counseling, case management, advocacy, and community development. Social work encompasses obtaining the knowledge and then applying the learned skills to empower marginalized populations, promote social justice about legal jurisdiction, and foster positive change in the community.
4. Education
Surely, teaching an individual from a young age and watching them grow up into an empowering, motivating member of the community can be a rewarding celebration for a teacher. This major encompasses tools to mold young minds and inspire future generations. With a degree in Education, you can start your career by being a teacher and a role model who imparts knowledge, skills, and values to students. Additionally, apart from teaching, you can contribute to educational policy-making, curriculum development, and creating inclusive learning environments.
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5. Environmental Science
There’s no harm in wanting to attain a major that explores the intricate workings of our environment and the interdependence between humans and nature. Through the in-depth study of ecosystems, preservation, pollution management, and sustainable practices, you can become an environmental activist or an advocate for environmental protection. A degree in Environmental Science opens doors to careers in research, policy-making, and environmental consulting.
6. Criminal Justice
This major revolves around keeping your society safe from criminals and offenders. It is tasked with upholding law and order, ensuring public safety, and promoting justice on local, state, and federal levels. It offers different specializations and requires in-depth knowledge of local law and its enforcement with legal systems and corrections. People with a degree in Criminal Justice can work as law enforcement workers, legal advocates, or policymakers, as well as contribute to homeland security, forensics, and immigration and border control.
7. Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of the complexity of human behavior and the way the mind processes. With a degree in Psychology, a psychologist can continue their careers as certified and professional counselors, as well as offer research, and therapy, helping individuals overcome challenges and improve their mental well-being. However, clinical psychologists have different job descriptions, as they mainly focus on individuals with harsher mental health conditions. Other than health care, there can be many career paths in the corporate avenues open in Human Resources or Success Coaching. Their careers are defined by the people and venues they explore.
8. Nonprofit Management
A nonprofit management major prepares an individual to focus on issues dedicated to social causes. There is a variety of educational institutions and human services providers that operate on a nonprofit basis. Thus, they require their kind of approach in administering their day-to-day tasks. Managerial and administrative skills, with a less focus on profit, are desirable by a wide variety of industries. A nonprofit manager is responsible for overseeing programs, fundraising, and public service marketing, as well as responsible for working under limited and sustainable resources. This field offers further specialization, and a nonprofit manager can expect $119,860 per year, with growing job opportunities.
Conclusion
There are infinite ways to contribute to your society, hence different numbers of majors that will lead you to land a job, allowing you to make a positive impact on the well-being of your society. The best part about choosing majors is you get to be in charge of how you want to help the people around you.
