Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 1 An Introduction to Human Services 17
Reading Recall
1. Give five examples of human services careers.
2. What do consumer services workers do?
3. Who are paraprofessionals?
4. Human services workers in _____ understand and meet the needs of
infants, toddlers, and young children.
5. Which broad employment category in the field of human services includes
emergency and relief workers and social workers?
6. List three jobs in personal care services.
7. People who pursue entrepreneurial careers are called _____.
8. Human services workers may provide related services in which three areas?
Common Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
Aptitudes (natural abilities), attitudes (set ways of thinking or feeling
about someone or something), and skills (developed talents or abilities) of
human services workers vary by occupation. In general, human services
workers share a common desire to help people. They tend to be socially
perceptive, compassionate, caring, and patient. Human services workers
typically possess good communication, problem-solving, and time
management skills. They can work well with others, in teams, and when
necessary, independently. All of these skills and abilities are portable,
meaning they are easily transferrable from one job to another.
Along with the common aptitudes, attitudes, and skills, people in
human services share a common core of
competencies (abilities; skills).
These competencies include the following:
1. Understanding of human development. This includes knowledge of
physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual development.
2. Awareness of social and societal interactions. This includes group
dynamics and organizational structures.
3. Knowledge of how national policy is set and how public policy is
used to solve human problems.
4. Consideration of, and respect for, personal values, client values, and
corporate culture.
5. Understanding of what people need to live healthy lives and
maintain healthy relationships.
6. Knowledge of conditions that promote or limit optimal healthy living
and relationships.
7. Belief that for people with the right resources and support, quality of
life can be enhanced.
8. Awareness of resources that can promote healthy functioning.