24 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 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 Portfolio Foundations When you apply for college admission, a job, or a community service position, you may need to tell others about your qualifications. A portfolio is a selection of related materials that you collect and organize to showcase your strengths and experience. These materials show your qualifications, skills, and talents. For example, a certificate 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 qualifications 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, briefly 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. Chapter 1 Review and Assessment