WE WORK ACROSS PROFESSIONS TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES
Human Development and Family Studies professionals and scholars are diverse, and so are their careers.
HDFS professionals represent a dynamic and diverse community with equally diverse career paths. They make meaningful contributions across education, healthcare, research institutions, community organizations, government agencies, NGOs, and private practice.
With expertise in family relationships, human development, interpersonal dynamics, and the broader social contexts in which families live, they address real-world challenges with evidence-based insight and compassion. Their work strengthens policies, improves programs, supports children and older adults, promotes healthy relationships, and empowers families across cultures and communities.
Family Resource Services
- Corporate Day Care Centers
- Consumer Protection Agencies
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Family Financial Counseling & Planning Agencies
- Food Assistance Programs
Community Social Services
- Adoption Agencies
- Foster Care Programs
- Long-Term Care Programs
- Vocational Rehabilitation & Job Training Programs
- Welfare Assistance Programs
- Youth Development Programs
Early Childhood
- Child Development Organizations
- Child Care Centers
- Early Childhood Family Education Programs
- Head Start Programs
- Preschools
International Development
- International Family Policy Organizations
- Peace Corps & NGOs
- Global Family Planning Programs
- International Human Rights Advocacy Groups
- Immigration & Migrant Family Services
Research
- Academic Research in Child Development, Family Science
- Government Agencies (Family or Demographic Research, Grants Manager)
- Grant Proposal Writing Roles
- Nonprofit Family Agencies (Community-Based Research)
- Program Evaluation & Assessment Roles
- Research Think Tanks
- Technology Companies (Human Behavior Qualitative Research)
Healthcare & Wellness
- Disability Services Organizations
- Funeral Services
- Hospitals (Child Life Specialist, Family Support)
- Holistic Health Centers
- Nutrition Education Programs
- Prenatal & Maternity Services
- Public Health Programs & Services
Education
- Colleges & Universities (Faculty Teaching)
- Community Education Organizations (Family Life Education, Parenting Education)
- Cooperative Extension Agencies
- Couple & Family Enrichment Programs
- Public Schools (Family Liaison, Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher)
- Private Practice (Family Life Education, Relationship Education)
Government & Public Policy
- Child Welfare Advocacy Organizations
- Departments of Child & Family Services (Case Management, Consulting)
- Family Courts (Parent Coordination)
- Family Policy Institutes
- Lobbying Organizations
- Military Family Support Services
- Juvenile Justice Organizations
Family Intervention
- Abuse Protection Services
- Divorce Mediation Services
- Drug & Alcohol Prevention Programs
- Family Crisis & Hotline Services
- Marriage & Family Therapy Practice (Organization or Private Practice)
- Residential Treatment Programs