Careers in Human Development and Family Science

A Human Development and Family Science degree from Ohio State prepares you for a career working with children, families or individuals. Learn more about some actual careers our students have landed.

Learn the requirements for our human development and family science programs.

Student jobs and internships

A Kid Again – Intern
After School All Stars – Program Leader
Big Brothers Big Sisters – Mentor
BUCK-I-SERV – Alumni Outreach Coordinator
Columbus Parks and Recreation – Program Facilitator
Camp Fire USA – Program Facilitator
Children's Hunger Alliance – AmeriCorps
City Kids Hilliard – Substitute Teacher
Communities in Schools – After School Assistant
Health Science Scholars Program – Service Coordinator
Home Healthcare – Aide
Jump Start Sports – Program Director/Coach
Make-A-Wish – Intern

Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Child Life Intern
New Directions Career Center – Intern
Ohio High School Athletic Association – Basketball Official
The Ohio State University – Catering Student Manager, Child Care Teacher, IM Official, Med Center Volunteer, Office Assistant, Outreach Ambassador, Recreation Instructor, Research Asst, Resident Advisor, Teaching Assistant, Telecounselor
The Hive – Brand Ambassador/Promo Model
Various Preschools – Assistant Teacher
Various Special Needs Organizations – ABA Therapist
Various Summer Camps – Camp Counselor
Wesley Glen – Diet Aide
YMCA – Gymnastics Instructor
Your Quest Corporate Wellness – Intern

Employment within one year

AmeriCorps – NRI Outreach Coordinator
BARK – Happy Ambassador, Recruiting Coordinator
Battelle – Talent Acquisition Specialist
Bellefaire JCB – Associate Teacher
Columbus State CC – Testing Assistant
Capital University – Admission Counselor
Directions for Youth and Families – Prevention Specialist
Easter Seals – Line Interventionist
Family Resource Center – Prevention Educator
First Time Learners Academy – Secretary
Girl Scouts of America – Outreach Facilitator, Community Troop Support Manager, Community Development Manager
Helping Hands Center – Special Needs Coordinator
Insight Global – Recruiter
Make-A-Wish – Wish Program Manager
New Parents Project – Research Assistant
The Ohio State University – Program Coordinator
Wexner Medical Center– Family Support Coordinator, Clinical Research Assistant
Various Childcare Centers or Preschools – Teacher

Professional positions: 3-5 years post-graduation

Action for Children – Technical Assistance Specialist
Aerotek – Recruiter
American Heritage Insurance – Marketing, Sales Administrator
Applewood Centers – Treatment Specialist
Atelier New York – Administrative Manager
BARK – Talent Acquisition Partner, People Operations Manager
Builders Exchange of Central Ohio – Educ Coord
Careforth – Care Manager
GoGuardian – Project Manager, Strategy and Operations Business Project Manager
Kelly Foods – Distribution Supervisor
Language Access Network – Project Manager
National Park Service – Education Technician, Youth Conservation Corps Director

Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Ambulatory Patient Registration Representative
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services – Office of Family Assistance Trainer
OSU – Talent Mgmt Assistant, Program Coordinator
OSU College of Medicine – Clinical Research Coordinator
Primrose School of North Edison – Director
Ranstad/Mergis Group – Recruiter
The Sitter Connection, Ltd. – Owner
Tiffin University – Admissions
Wethersfield Youth Services – Clinical Coord
YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo – Lead Teacher

Professions other than child and family services

Administrative Manager
Bank Management
Food Service, Restaurant Management
Recruiter, Staffing Coordinator
Social Media Manager
Marketing Coordinator
Office Manager
Financial Services Client Support Specialist
Pharmaceuticals Sales Representative
Researcher
Retail Sales and Management
Medical Executive Assistant

Professions with an advanced degree

Appalachian Children’s Coalition – Executive Director
Ashland University – Assistant Professor
Associates in Pediatric Therapy – Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Austin Peay State University – Academic Advisor, Career Readiness Coach
College of Charleston – Director of Parent Fundraising and Parent Advisory Council
CoSI – Manager of Early Childhood Programs and Operations
Couple and Family Therapy Clinic – Therapist
Dublin Learning Academy – Assistant Director
Georgia Tech Alumni Association – Student Organizations Coordinator
IntelliSolve, Inc – Owner
John Sells Middle School – Instructional Paraprofessional (BLC)
Kidney Foundation – Regional Program Mgr

Mayo Clinic – Diagnostic Radiology Resident PGY-5
Montgomery County Ed Assoc – Organizer
National Educ Assoc – Campaigns and Elections
Netcare Access – Crisis Clinician
Northwestern University – Assistant Director of Admissions
Ohio Childcare Resource Referral – Associate
OSU – Academic Advisor, Assistant Professor
RNR Consulting – Consultant
Success Academy Charter School – Program Mgr
Teays Valley Local Schools – High School Counselor
University of Cincinnati College of Business – Assistant Director, Linder Career Services Center
UC Health – Psychiatry Resident
Various School Districts – PK-3 and 4-9 Teacher

Pay, job outlook and work environment

Data for the following professional area is available at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The HDFS degree develops skills that transfer to other professions, including:

Activities to enhance your hiring potential

Build a LinkedIn profile to 100%
Conduct research with a faculty mentor
Intern at a family social services facility
Join a professional association
Lead a related student organization
Learn a foreign language or study abroad
Master computer application skills
Minor in business or communications
Read industry periodical for trends and legislative issues
Volunteer!