24
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 1
Review and Assessment Review and Assessment
Summary
• In human services, the primary focus is on
meeting people’s needs and improving their
quality of life. Human services jobs can be found
wherever people have needs, which, of course,
is everywhere.
• In the last 100 years or so, the field of human
services has expanded and evolved to meet
the changing needs of society and offer new
services when they are needed.
• Human services careers fall under the following
broad employment categories: consumer
services, counseling and mental health services,
early childhood development and services,
family and community services, personal care
services, entrepreneurial careers, and related
services in food, clothing, and housing.
• The aptitudes, attitudes, and skills of human
services workers vary by occupation. Human
services workers, however, share a common
core of competencies.
• Qualifications for occupations in human
services vary, but a four-year degree is
commonly required for many jobs today.
Some human services careers also require
state licensure, certifications, professional
registration, and on-the-job experience.
• Human services workers deal with people
in times of crisis and need, which can be
challenging and emotionally taxing. On the
other hand, there are many rewards in helping
people achieve their goals and maintain healthy
relationships.
• Employment of human services workers
is expected to grow much faster than the
average for most occupations in the coming
decades. Careers in human services may ebb
and flow in relation to what is happening in
the overall economy. The need for child care
services and older adult care will continue
to grow.
College and Career Portfolio College and Career Portfolio
Portfolio Foundations
When you apply for college admission, a
job, or a community service position, you may
need to tell others about your qualifi cations.
A portfolio is a selection of related materials
that you collect and organize to showcase your
strengths and experience. These materials
show your qualifi cations, skills, and talents.
For example, a certifi cate that shows you have
completed CPR and fi rst-aid training could help
you get a job working with children or older
adults. A research paper about effective teaching
strategies could show that you are serious about
working with children. It might help you get
a tutor position at an after-school program. A
transcript of your school grades also shows your
qualifi cations to a potential college.
Two types of portfolios are commonly
used: print portfolios and electronic portfolios
(e-Portfolios). An e-Portfolio is also known
as a digital portfolio. To learn more about each
type of portfolio, complete the following
activities:
1. Use the Internet to search for print portfolio
and e-Portfolio. Read articles about each
type of portfolio. In your own words,
briefl y describe each type.
2. You will be creating a portfolio in this
class. Based on your reading, which
portfolio type would you prefer to create?
Write a paragraph describing the type of
portfolio you would like to create.