Social Work

• One of the careers open to holders of associate degrees is social work. In some states, professional certification is available to degree-holders. These are entry-level, assistant social worker positions, putting you on a case management team, for instance, assisting with individual or group counseling as part of a care team. Local governments also require a wide range of social work professionals.
  
  

Direct Care

• Human services degree-holders can also find work in a variety of direct-care settings, such as nursing homes, halfway houses, group homes, or long-term care facilities. The types of work here vary, depending on the setting, but an A.A.S. in Human Services can prepare you for assisting nurses and physician assistants, ward clerks, recreational therapists, and counselors. These settings may give you the chance to work with the elderly, adults or children with disabilities, abused women and children, disadvantaged teenagers, often working directly with these clients as well as the professional care team.
  
  

Child Care and Schools

• If you enjoy working with children, an A.A.S in human services can give you the chance to do that. In addition to teachers, many preschools and day care centers require assistant caregivers to help with entertaining young children and tending to their physical needs. Schools also employ human services professionals, particularly in counseling and special education capacities.
  
  

Corrections

• Another potential employment setting for human services professionals is the field of corrections. The educational background of understanding people and addressing social and personal needs that an A.A.S. in human services provides can give you a strong basis for a variety of corrections work, including group counseling, inmate management and oversight, and assisting psychologists and law enforcement officials.
  
  

Further Education

• If you choose to pursue a bachelor's degree, the A.A.S. may provide a springboard. Check with your college to ensure that the credits will transfer. Your degree can start you on the path toward baccalaureate degrees in social work, education, psychology, law enforcement, early childhood development, nursing and public health.