Careers in family social science

Potential employers

  • adoption/foster care agencies
  • business
  • camp programs
  • child care programs
  • child protective services
  • child welfare agencies
  • child and parent education programs
  • colleges and universities
  • community centers
  • community education
  • correctional institutions
  • disability services
  • elder care services
  • employee assistance program
  • family shelters
  • family service agencies
  • head start programs
  • health and wellness agencies
  • hospice facilities
  • hospitals
  • human service agencies
  • local government agencies
  • mental health facilities
  • military nonprofit organizations
  • neighborhood associations
  • preschool programs
  • public/private schools (K-12)
  • religious organizations
  • social service organizations
  • state government agencies
  • substance abuse programs
  • women’s protective services
  • vocational rehabilitation programs
  • youth development and recreational programs

Internships

Below is a sample of organizations that have hired Family Social Science students for internships. Use GoldPASS to learn more about internships with these organizations or visit the organization's website.

  • Developmental Trainee, Fraser Child and Family Center
  • Case Manager Assistant, Perspectives Inc.
  • Paraprofessional, Community Of Peace Academy
  • Development/Community Relations Volunteer, Women's Advocates
  • Child Support Officer, Hennepin County
  • Intern Counselor, Rape and Sexual Abuse Center
  • Office Assistant/Saturday Enrichment & GEM TA, Math Center for Educational Programs
  • Program Coordinator/Peer Mentor, University YMCA
  • School Success Intern, The Family Partnership
  • Parent Coach
  • Parenting Coach, Perspectives
  • Social work intern, Truancy intervention program
  • Volunteer, University of Minnesota Medical Center
  • Facilitator/Staff Family Violence Program, East Side Neighborhood Services
  • DHH Mental Health Practicum Student, Volunteers of America Mental Health Clinic
  • Rec Plus Coordinator, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
  • Development Intern, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities
  • Advocate, Mission 21
  • Child Family Life Volunteer, University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital
  • Arts and Crafts Specialist, Fresh Air Fund
  • Tutor/Mentor, Check and Connect
  • Assistant Classroom teacher, Barakah Childcare Center
  • Assistant Classroom Teacher
  • Basic Math Classroom Volunteer and Admin Asst., MLC (Minnesota Literacy Center-Lake Street)
  • Wish Granting & Marketing/Communications Intern, Wishes & More
  • Volunteer, Tutor/Mentor, CommonBond
  • Administrative Assistant, Planned Parenthood
  • Paraprofessional, Sunrise Montessori School
  • Living Skills Instructor, Alternatives for People with Autism
  • Healthcare Reform Intern, CAPIUSA
  • Summer Explorer, Perspectives
  • Short Term Program Intern, Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge
  • Program Staff, YMCA Camp Menogyn
  • Empower Line Employee, Whole Woman's Health
  • Personal Care Assistant (PCA), Student Experience
  • Employment Intern, People Serving People
  • Project Assistant Intern, Hennepin County Taxpayer Services
  • Childcare Provider, Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery
  • Youth Intern, Normandale Lutheran Church of Edina
  • Social Work Intern, Olmsted County
  • Resident Assistant, Walker Methodist Westwood Ridge
  • Women's Advocate, Tubman
  • Team Leader, A.C.E.S.
  • Team Leader, Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES)
  • Volunteer and Community Engagement Intern, Our Saviour's Housing
  • Children Youth & Families Intern, Cornerstone Advocacy Services
  • Youth worker internship, Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment
  • Social Work Intern, Johnson Senior High
  • Admissions and Outreach Intern, North Hennepin Community College
  • Camp Northeast Counselor, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation
  • Undergraduate Intern, Brakins Consulting and Psychological Services
  • Job Placement/Development, CorVel Corporation
  • Program Counselor, Thomas Allen Inc
  • Assistant Teacher, The Midway YMCA
  • Intern, Ronald McDonald House
  • Summer 2012 Intern, Uganda Children of the Nations
  • Educational Intern, Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge
  • Administrative Support, Domestic Abuse Project
  • Grant Writer Intern, Second Harvest Heartland
  • Direct Care Provider, Creative Care Resources
  • Facilitator, East Side Neighborhood Services
  • Parenting Coach, Perspective Family Center
  • Intern, Boys and Girls Club of Twin Cities
  • Concierge, Children's Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota
  • Childcare Volunteer, Bridges to Safety
  • Childcare Assistant, Perspectives, Inc.
  • Project Assistant/Lead, Science Museum of Minnesota (KAYSC)
  • Assistant for Maternal & Child Health Coordinator/ Assistant for Health and Wellness Coordinator, CENTRO
  • Overnight camp counselor, Camp Ihduhapi YMCA Camp
Did you know facts Did you know Did you know 100% of family social sciencestudents complete an internshipor applied experience.

Career opportunities

Below is a sample of career opportunities for family social science graduates. Refer to this document for more information on potential careers and meet with CEHD Career Services staff to explore your options. The National Council on Family Relations also provides sample career paths for family social science graduates.

  • addictions counselors
  • advocate worker
  • case management counselors
  • certified family life educator
  • chemical dependency counselors
  • child abuse/neglect counselor
  • child advocate
  • child care coordinator/director
  • child life specialist
  • child and protective services worker
  • civil rights worker
  • community advocates
  • community agency case worker
  • community service project coordinator
  • community organizer
  • disability specialists
  • domestic abuse counselor
  • educational worker
  • educator
  • elder services administrators
  • family advocate
  • family crisis worker
  • family planning counselor
  • financial counselor
  • foster care or adoption counselor
  • grant writer
  • home detention case worker
  • human development specialist
  • job coordinator
  • legislative aid
  • lobbyist nonprofit fundraiser
  • nonprofit event planner
  • parent educator
  • parent program coordinator
  • policy analyst
  • program coordinator
  • program evaluator
  • teen center director
  • victim advocate
  • volunteer coordinator
  • vocational coordinator
  • welfare job counselor
  • youth counselor
  • youth organization director

Career opportunities with an advanced or graduate degree

  • administrator/executive director
  • career/vocational counselor
  • community counselor
  • family and consumer sciences teacher
  • grant writer
  • marriage and family therapist
  • nonprofit organization director
  • parent educator
  • play therapist
  • school counselor
  • researcher
  • social worker
  • social services director
  • university faculty

Job titles and employers of alumni

  • AmeriCorps MFIP aide, Rise/AmeriCorps
  • Activity Assistant, Sunrise Senior Living
  • Activity Leader, Roseville Area Schools/Friendship Connection Program
  • Advocate, Lewis House Domestic Violence Shelter
  • Behavior Specialist, Everyday Living
  • Behavioral Therapist, LIFE Midwest
  • Communications Assistant, Core Passion Inc. Deluxe Business Consultant, Deluxe Corporation
  • Care Coordinator, Fraser Child and Family Center
  • Child Support Officer, Hennepin County
  • Crisis Rehab Assistant, Ridgeway Mental Health Service
  • Database Associate, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities
  • Development Assistant, Tubman Family Alliance
  • Educational Assistant, AFSA High School
  • ESL Volunteer Coordinator, Hmong American Partnership
  • Executive Assistant & Human Resources, Jewish Community Center of the Greater St. Paul Area
  • Family Advocate, Tubman Family Alliance
  • Family and Consumer Science teacher, Osseo Area Learning Center
  • Family Intervention Program Case Manager, YWCA of St. Paul
  • Family Services Social Worker, Child Protection Services
  • Family Service Specialist, Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, Inc
  • Health Unit Coordinator, North Memorial
  • High School Junior Coach, College Possible
  • Information and Referral Specialist, Greater Twin Cities United Way
  • Information Assistance Specialist, Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging
  • In-home Manager, Heartview
  • Juvenile Corrections, Hennepin County
  • Kidstop Instructor, Osseo Area Schools
  • Lead Teacher, Kindercare
  • Literacy Tutor, MN Literacy Council
  • Living Skills Instructor, Alternatives for People with Autism
  • Mental Health Practitioner, St. Paul Youth Services/Ramsey County
  • Match Support Coordinator, Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Mortgage consultant, Town & Country Credit
  • Nutrition assistant trainee-Hmong, Ramsey County-Public Health
  • Office manager, NARAL Pro-Choice MN
  • Paraprofessional, Austin School District
  • Paraprofessional, Divine Mercy Catholic School
  • Personal Care Assistant, Metropolitan Center for Independent Living
  • Program Assistant, Children's Home Society and Family Services
  • Program Assistant, CornerHouse
  • Program Coordinator, Campfire USA
  • Program Support Staff, Chrestomathy
  • Program Manager, Adult Training Center
  • Promise Fellow, Minnesota Alliance With Youth
  • Psych. Associate, Fairview Hospital
  • Resident Care Assistant, Milestone Senior Living
  • Senior Personal Advocate, Cigna Behavioral Health
  • Social Outreach Specialist, Volunteers of America of Minnesota
  • Summer Program Director/Assistant Teacher, Sunshine Montessori
  • Teaching Assistant-Special Education, St. Paul Public Schools
  • Therapy Aide, Pro Rehab
  • Trial Case Assistant, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
  • Visiting Advocate, Parents In Community Action
  • Volunteer Services Specialist, Children's Home Society
  • Youth Care Worker, Kids Peace
  • Youth Counselor, Catholic Charities
  • Youth Program Coordinator, University YMCA
  • Youth Specialist, Pillsbury United Communities