Human Service Careers: Good Choice in Today’s Economy
Northern Essex Community College will host information sessions in Haverhill and Lawrence for people who are interested in learning more about careers in the human service fields and how you can train for them at Northern Essex. Free and open to the public, the information sessions will be held on Thursday, July 16 from 6 to 8 p.m., Rm. L244, Dimitry Building, Lawrence Campus, 45 Franklin St.; and Wednesday, July 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. Rm. A124, Library, Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliott St.
Jobs in the human service field, especially for those who are bi-lingual, are plentiful as well as recession proof, according to Jane Gagliardi, coordinator of the human service program at Northern Essex Community College. In fact, occupations in human services are one of the fastest growing today. While it may not be the most lucrative field, with salaries in the mid 20s to mid-30s, human service jobs offer a great deal of personal satisfaction.
Human service workers, says Gagliardi, provide services to people to help them improve their quality of life. Job titles within the field vary and include human services assistant, case manager, social work assistant, mental health aide and advocate, to name a few.
Northern Essex offers three certificates (alcohol and drug abuse counseling, community support and human service practitioner, and direct support) and an associate degree in human services. All college credits earned within any one of the certificate programs may be transferred toward the associate degree.
Students are prepared to work as generalists to address issues related to mental illness, substance abuse, mental retardation, child welfare, homelessness, and family violence among other concerns. Practicum courses or internships give students the opportunity to gain experience in the field and to integrate that work experience with their academic learning.
Students may enroll in these programs on a part-time or a full-time basis. Courses are offered days on the college’s Haverhill Campus and during the evenings in Lawrence.
With campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence and extension sites in Andover and Methuen, Northern Essex Community College is a state-assisted college, offering over 70 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of non credit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Close to 13,000 students ranging from recent high school graduates to workers employed locally attend classes days, evenings, and weekends. Northern Essex is the only state college located in the lower Merrimack Valley Region of Massachusetts.