Additional Information
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, human service workers are
often required to complete a college certification course in human service
work or a related field. Those with bachelor's degrees are more likely to
advance into more senior positions.
Human service worker programs (under various names) are available in colleges
and universities across the U.S. The Council of Standards for Human Service
Educators (CSHSE) provides voluntary accreditation to schools that meet the
criteria.
Residential counselors in Canada and the U.S. are often required to have
a first aid certificate and, in some cases, a valid driver's license. A criminal
record search is often a condition of employment. Employers must ensure that
their workers do not have convictions for sexual or physical assault.
There is often room for advancement, according to residential counselor
Keith Baldwin. "You can move upwards into a management position, or you can
move into a related field." Baldwin's long-term career goal is to become a
parole officer.
"Yes, residential counselors can often advance upwards," says counselor
Brian Sample. "I started as a residential counselor, then I was promoted to
lead counselor. Now I am house coordinator."
Residential counselors must be punctual, reliable and have good integrity.
Equally important, they must be caring, compassionate people who enjoy helping
others. "You will not become a millionaire," says Sample. "But there are many
other rewards. There is meaning and fulfillment in this work."