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!