Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 6 Unit 1 Learning About Human Services What is human services? Human services is a fi eld of work and study that focuses on meeting the needs of people and improving their quality of life. It focuses on helping people prevent and solve problems. Using applied knowledge and skills, human services workers make a positive impact on their clients, families, and communities. In this chapter, you will learn about the history of human services and current careers in human services. You will also learn about the common aptitudes, attitudes, and skills needed in human services. In addition, this chapter will answer basic questions about education, training, and experience. You will fi nd out about common challenges and rewards of working in the fi eld. You will also fi nd out about the job outlook in human services. What Is Human Services? Human services is a generic term that describes a career fi eld providing for the needs of people. In human services, the primary focus is on improving people’s quality of life by helping to provide needed services (Figure 1.1). Solving and preventing problems are also important focuses in this fi eld. Human services workers achieve these goals through the use of a wide range of skills, knowledge, and resources. Human services care providers is a term that refers to the agencies and organizations serving the needs of people at all stages of life. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com Figure 1.1 Human services workers provide a variety of services for people in need. When have you volunteered to help someone in need?