Jon Said:

Human Development and Family Studies Major?

We Answered:

There are lots of career options for HDFS majors - here are a few:

* education: particularly pre-k and primary school (you may need another degree: double major or go back to grad school)
* human services: social worker, adoption counselor, counseling, child welfare, alcohol counseling, probation officer, case worker
* consumer sciences: family educator/instructor, public relations
* gerontology: case worker, crisis intervention worker, activity director

Those are career options listed on my school's HDFS website. I worked about two years within HDFS as a teaching assistant for lower-division courses (as a non-HDFS major) and accordingly worked with lots of HDFS students and faculty. A majority of them are going into education or social work, but I know there are lots of options for HDFS. Unfortunately a lot of them are low-paying and challenging, but if it's what you love and what you're good at -- power to you! That's why I went with English and French after I quit chemistry. :)

I would suggest talking to an advisor in the HDFS program because they can talk to you about career options and which options/courses you should consider for specific careers. Some departments even help with job placement!

Good luck!