Educational School Coach Child Care Teacher Aide Children s Librarian School

Educational/School: Coach Child Care Teacher/Aide Children's Librarian School Guidance Counselor School Administrator Kindergarten, Nursery & Preschool Teacher Elementary, Middle or Secondary School Teacher Aide/Paraprofessional Physical Education Teacher Special Education Teacher Family & Consumer Science Teacher Art Teacher Music Teacher Parent Educator

Whether it’s working with preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school students, the field of teaching is challenging, and considered one of the most stressful occupations. It requires a 4 year Bachelor’s degree and state certification. While the elementary teacher must teach to all academic areas, the middle and high school teacher often specializes in one area.

Here, the coach, guidance counselor, and librarian are shown “teaching”, but in settings far different than the traditional classroom. In still other careers, you may not interact with children every day, but what you do affects children. This applies to the school administrator. Administrators and guidance counselors require experience and advanced degrees.

Social Service: 4 -H Specialist Abuse Registry Counselor Adoption Counselor Art Therapist Caseworker Child Welfare Worker Children’s Librarian Child Care Lobbyist Child Care Worker, Private Juvenile Officer Foster Parent Extension Specialist Child Protection Social Worker Child Psychologist/Psychiatrist Social Evaluator, Child Care Center Child Support Enforcement Specialist Children, Youth & Family Counselor Head Start Program Director Music Therapist Recreation Leader Child Development/Guidance Specialist Child Life Specialist Recreation Therapist Social Worker/Child Advocate Speech/Language Pathologist Youth Services Coordinator Mental Health Counselor

The social service professional deals with highneeds clients and limited resources for handling those needs. They are expected to be totally compassionate and committed to their clients…but must be able to leave those problems at the office when they leave at night. Social Services is considered one of the most stressful professions of all, and many people in this industry need a change of pace every 5 to 7 years. Professionals in social service do not work with average or “normal” families…only with those having problems. Physical, mental, and sexual abuse; neglect; hunger; homelessness; depression; abandonment; violence; substance abuse; delinquency; truancy; … a plethora of heartaches to face each day.

THE FACES YOU SEE EVERY DAY IN A SOCIAL SERVICES CAREER…

In many instances in the social services industry, the caseworker must “intervene” on behalf of the child. They may need to remove a child from their home in order to protect them. The goal, however, is not to find them a new home. It is to “fix” the problems in the one they already had, and return them to it. This is sometimes a difficult decision. In addition, the “fixing”, takes time, money, and/or programs that are not always readily available. Frustration is common. Rewards are sometimes few, but can be great! The average social services worker is a professional with a 4 year degree.

Medical: Nurse Practitioner Obstetrical RN Pediatrician Pediatric Dentist Audiologist- hearing specialist Dental Hygienist Midwife- delivers babies at home Child Psychiatrist- finds the “root” of the social/emotional problem Child Psychologist- helps the patient cope with social/emotional problems Obstetrician- prenatal care and delivery of babies Pediatric Medical Assistant Pediatric Rehabilitation Counselor Pediatric/School Nurse Rehabilitation Therapist Optometrist/Ophthalmologist

Providing medical services to babies and children requires an additional set of skills to those needed when working with adults. Children are not as specific when describing a source or level of pain. Their tolerance of strangers or invasive procedures is minimal. Their level of patience may be non-existent. The well-being of the child must not be overshadowed by the tears of the child. Most occupations in the medical industry require some special skills. Salary levels vary, based on experience and required education. Training may consist of 2 years in a technical school to 4 years of college to 12 years of college and internships.

Miscellaneous: Author, Children's books Camp Counselor Camp Director Clown Day Care Center Director House Parent, Halfway House Illustrator, Children’s Books Magician Nanny/Au Pair Sales Rep- Child Care Products Scout Leader Photographer Radio/TV/Theatre Performer Youth Minister Toy Manufacturer Professions geared toward children vary greatly. The self-taught magician may only work on weekends and volunteer his talent…or may have undergone years of apprenticeship and derive his primary income from performance fees. There is only a couple of similarities in all these occupations… a love for children and an understanding of child development to some extent.

THE PROFESSIONAL IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT. … 1. Accepts moral and ethical responsibilities 2. Promotes the well-being of children 3. Values care as essential for emotional growth, social competence, rehabilitation, and treatment 4. Celebrates the strengths generated from cultural and human diversity 5. Values individual uniqueness 6. Values family, community, culture, and human diversity as integral to the developmental and intervention processes 7. Believes in the potential and empowerment of children, youth, family, and community 8. Is an advocate for children, youth, and families 9. Promotes the contribution of professional child and youth care to society Any particular occupational position and salary in the field of child development will be tied to your experience, level of required education, level of responsibility assumed on the job, and of course…love of children!

1. It requires vast knowledge of child development, but no formal education 2. It will cost you a lot of money, but you don’t get paid a cent 3. To drive a car, cut someone’s hair, or even to catch a fish you need a license…but not for this 4. No experience necessary 5. The rewards are countless if you do the job right, but may be devastating for generations to come if you don’t

Our instinct to reproduce is natural…and contributes to survival of the species. But because we are able to think logically, we choose whether or not to have children. Our choice to do that creates the family…the basic unit of modern