What can you do with a Human Development degree?

First, some facts. Of the Human Development graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 125 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 73%, Human Development graduates have a higher likelihood (+6%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 73%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 47% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Human Development graduate.

See the details:

View a random Human Development graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from State University of New York at Binghamton with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Development. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Volunteer
HABILITAT, INC
Jan 2012 - Jan 2012
Volunteering at HABILITAT, INC may involve working with individuals or groups, which can relate to human development concepts, but it is not directly tied to the core qualifications of the degree.

Intern
Union Endicott High School Guidance Department
Jan 2012 - May 2012
The internship at Union Endicott High School Guidance Department directly applies knowledge from the degree in human development, focusing on providing guidance and support to students.

Head Counselor
Tenacre Day Camp
Jun 2012 - Aug 2012
As Head Counselor at Tenacre Day Camp, the position involves managing and supporting the development of children, aligning closely with the principles of human development.

Tutor/Mentor
Boston Scholar Athlete Program
Sep 2012 - Jun 2013
The role of Tutor/Mentor at Boston Scholar Athlete Program utilizes skills in human development by providing academic and emotional support to student-athletes, directly related to the degree.

Pre-Practicum Intern
Medford High School
Jan 2013 - Jun 2013
The Pre-Practicum Intern position at Medford High School directly engages in counseling and guidance, making it highly relevant to the human development field.

LIT Director
Camp Chickami
Jun 2013 - Aug 2013
As LIT (Leader in Training) Director at Camp Chickami, the job centers on leadership and development within a camp environment for youth, which is closely aligned with human development principles.

Guidance Intern
Newton South High School
Sep 2013 - Jun 2014
The Guidance Intern role at Newton South High School directly utilizes knowledge from the human development degree to assist in counseling and education.

School Counselor
North East Carolina Prep School
Jul 2014 - Jun 2016
As a School Counselor at North East Carolina Prep School, the position requires extensive application of knowledge in human development to support and guide students effectively.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master's degree
Boston College
2012 - 2014
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Human Development degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When we take a close look at the various career paths of individuals who studied Human Development, a few key trends pop out. A lot of them have landed roles in education, mental health, and social services, which makes perfect sense given the knowledge and skills they learned during their studies. Positions like teachers, case managers, counselors, and therapists are frequently highlighted, showing that many graduates are using their degrees in settings that focus on personal and community growth.

For instance, several graduates took up teaching positions, which are directly tied to understanding child development, educational psychology, and how to facilitate learning. Similarly, roles in mental health, such as therapists or counselors, directly benefit from a solid understanding of human behavior and development theories. This gives us a clear idea that these jobs are generally relevant and utilize the principles taught in Human Development programs. However, there's also a significant portion of jobs that are less relevant. For example, positions in sales, marketing, or administrative roles often do not relate back to core concepts of the degree even if they require some interpersonal skills.

In summary, it seems like graduates in Human Development often find their way into meaningful roles that directly apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, especially in education and healthcare. However, there's also a noticeable number of graduates who end up in careers that don't fully engage the human development concepts they studied, suggesting that while the degree opens various doors, not all of them lead back to the intended path.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Human Development graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Human Development graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Alright, here’s the scoop on what Human Development graduates have been up to in their careers based on the data you provided. If you’re considering a degree in Human Development, it’s pretty clear that a good number of folks land themselves in jobs directly related to their studies, particularly in fields like education, social work, and therapy shortly after they graduate. For many, their first jobs tend to be in supportive roles—like behavioral interventionists or case managers—where they can apply their skills in helping others. This makes sense, given how the overall focus of a Human Development degree is on understanding how people grow and thrive in different environments.

Fast forward 5 years, many graduates are still in the realm of human services, education, or applied behavior analysis, gradually climbing up the ladder into more specialized positions like occupational therapists, behavior analysts, and clinical supervisors. For those who pursued their initial roles in education, they often transition into more advanced or managerial positions within schools or educational organizations. However, there’s a noticeable variety in terms of job satisfaction and career growth. While some individuals thrive and seem to find their niche in human services or education, others shift gears entirely, exploring roles that may not directly relate to Human Development, such as sales or general administrative jobs, which could signify a disconnect between their degree and career path.

Looking at the long-term perspectives—around 10 years after graduating—the trend starts to diversify even more. Many grads have solidified their roles in therapeutic and educational settings, with some even attaining leadership positions like program directors or clinical supervisors. On the flip side, there’s a sizable group who end up in roles that barely tap into their qualifications from their Human Development degrees. Whether it be revolving into corporate roles or other fields entirely, it’s a mixed bag. Overall, it seems like there’s a significant portion of graduates who are genuinely making a positive impact in their communities, but maintaining a relevant path in their field seems challenging for others.

In conclusion, if you're interested in Human Development, it's a field with its heart in helping others. Initially, you’re likely to find jobs directly related to your degree. Just keep an eye on where you want to be in 5 or 10 years from now. Many successful paths will likely keep you in the realm of human services or education, but others might find unexpected turns along their career journey. So, it’s worth thinking about the kind of impact you want to make and how closely you want that to align with your studies.

How hard is a Human Development degree?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development tends to be on the easier side compared to some other majors, but that really depends on your interests and strengths. If you’re into psychology, sociology, and understanding how people grow and interact, you might find the coursework pretty engaging and manageable. There’s a good mix of theory and practical application, and while some classes can be challenging, overall it usually doesn't involve the intense workload or heavy math/science requirements that other degrees might have. So, if you’re someone who enjoys exploring human behavior and development, you’ll likely find it more interesting than stressful!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Human Development.

Do Human Development graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Human Development graduates, it appears that many of them have carved out decent opportunities, but the earnings vary quite a bit. For instance, graduates in fields like occupational therapy or real estate often land higher-paying roles, which can definitely translate to better salaries. On the other hand, those sticking to roles like teaching or case management—while fulfilling—might not pull in the same level of income. Overall, many of the careers listed seem to offer stable positions, but it's clear that the financial potential differs depending on the specific field and level of responsibility.

For instance, graduates with advanced degrees or specialized roles, like those in psychology or occupational therapy, are generally poised to make higher salaries compared to those in entry-level or educational positions. The early career stages for many highlight how a few might struggle initially, especially if they're in assistant or intern roles. But as they gain experience and potentially move into more advanced positions, their earning potentials could improve significantly. Ultimately, while it looks like some are doing well financially, others are likely still working to achieve that stability.

What buzzwords do Human Development graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Human Development. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Human Development?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Human Development (ordered by the average relevance score of their Human Development graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Virginia Tech 81 12
University of California, Davis 61 13
Binghamton University 59 14