Human Services Pathway

• Individuals wanting to transition into meaningful, community-based work
• Individuals already working in human services support roles wishing to increase their skills and employability
• Individuals with culturally specific experience wanting to support people in their community
• Individuals wanting to pursue human services career pathways.

Improving Individuals and Communities - This is a career whereby you have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of people in your own community. You will be advocating for underserved individuals to receive services and resources to address their important health needs and improve their quality of life.

Variety is part of the job - No two days are the same. Every day will provide a different set of challenges to keep your work life interesting. It provides the opportunity to interact with a broad range of people, learning new skills every day and the satisfaction of helping people who have been thrown curveballs to get back on their feet.

Meet lots of new people - You’ll work as part of a close-knit team and will interact with individuals, community members, health providers and others to problem solve and provide needed resources for improved life enhancing outcomes.

Career Progression – Human Services careers are actively involved with improving the lives of people and communities. As you begin your career as a human services worker, you’ll enjoy work that cannot be replaced by technology. You’ll learn and grow and attain skills that will help people overcome life’s hurdles. You will have ample opportunities to advance your knowledge, experiences and career path.  

Self-Fulfillment - You'll have great satisfaction in life knowing that you wake up every day working to improve the lives of those around you. The primary goal of human services is to help people exceed their limitations in life, thereby allowing them to reach new heights. Your contributions will make a difference!

Culture and Diversity - Many human services roles open doors to working with and learning about diverse cultures. Expand your awareness an knowledge and learn from clients, peers and healthcare partners.

A successful human services worker should know how to handle themselves in every situation, with a well-rounded skillset so they can adapt to the many circumstances and stakeholders they will encounter supporting individuals in overcoming life’s obstacles.

• Relationship building - If you’re someone who values connections with others and excels at nurturing those relationships over time, you will thrive as a human services worker. You will need to showcase your understanding that everyone has value and can make contributions toward a solution to whatever problem has presented itself.
• Empathy – You might have experienced some of the same circumstances you find your clients in and that allows you to fully understand their viewpoints and positions. Successful human service workers have a genuine compassion for the individuals and families they are serving. Your ability to put people at ease and give them a sense of calm and safety will be imperative.
• Problem solving – Clients will present with major life challenges and difficult issues; you will need to be ready to respond. Easy solutions are not always readily available, so know that creative thinking, resourcefulness and persistence will be needed when the going gets slow or tough.
• Flexibility - It’s important to have a solid understanding of all of the possible options available and be able to navigate the complex systems of healthcare, government and social services. What works for one client, might not be repeatable for the next.
• Positive Attitude - There’s not always a clear answer to every challenge. Sometimes you’ll have to get creative to splice together the right resources to help an individual gain access to the services that will improve their lives. Your positive approach will be appreciated by all the stakeholders working on improvements.
• Communication Skills - Effective communication such as interviewing and active listening will ensure you make a personal connection with the client. If these skills don’t come easily to you, do what you can to gain skills and confidence in these areas.
• Cultural Competency - No matter how much you might know about the place a person comes from, you can’t really assume you truly understand their culture entirely. This is why having an open mind and the ability to take people and groups as they are on a case by case basis is a big part of being culturally competent. Continually work on gaining understanding and skills in this area.
• Attention to Detail - Attention to detail requires many skills including time management, organization, analytical as well as observational skills. Detail-oriented individuals are known for completing thorough work whereby you will be recognized for the effort and care you put into your projects and clients. It boosts your credibility and reliability.
• Persistence – Advocating for individuals with social service needs is not always glamorous work. It takes time, stamina, and a determined work ethic to keep going when the going gets slow or tough.
• Confidentiality - Confidentiality is a central tenant of human services work and is required by law and employers. It is important to both keep your client's confidences and know when it is time to reach out for support or supervision, such as in mandated reporting situations. Additionally, clients will be more likely to cooperate or participate in their care if they can trust that anything they share with you will be kept private.