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First, some facts. Of the Human Development And Family Studies 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 887 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 73%, Human Development And Family Studies graduates have a higher likelihood (+6%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 41% 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 And Family Studies graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor's degree in Human Development And Family Studies. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONChild Protective Specialist Department of Health & Human Services Jan 2020 - Present ABOUTI am extremely passionate about providing the youth today with the resources and relationships they need to be successful adults. I want to help the youth in any which way I can. I am currently a youth specialist working in the shelter of Cedars Youth Services. The shelter portion of Cedars provides an alternative to detention placement for probation youth as well as basic center needs for homeless youth ages 12 to 18. I work with setting goals, defining boundaries, building trust and confidence, managing emotions, and developing coping skills with youth on a daily basis. I am currently a intern with the Department of Health and Human Services with child protective services. These are both extremely rewarding positions. I strive to continue and further my career in the human service field. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After analyzing various LinkedIn profiles of individuals who graduated with degrees in Human Development and Family Studies, it's clear that they pursue a wide range of careers. However, their roles tend to cluster around a few primary job types that align more directly with their academic background. The most common positions include teachers, counselors, and roles in child and family services, all of which inherently draw upon knowledge regarding interpersonal relationships, human behavior, and developmental stages.
Many of these professionals have found fulfilling careers in educational settings. Being a teacher—whether in elementary, special education, or daycare—emphasizes applying child development principles in everyday practice. This trend is particularly apparent among graduates working as preschool or kindergarten teachers, where fostering young children's growth aligns perfectly with their education. Similarly, roles such as school counselors and educational coordinators directly utilize their understanding of family dynamics and developmental psychology to support students effectively.
Counseling roles also feature prominently; many graduates work as therapists or in support roles focused on child and family welfare. These positions require a robust understanding of mental health and family aid, critically aligning with the coursework completed during their studies. This includes roles as victim advocates and case managers, where the application of human behavior insights is essential for effective client interaction and support. Additionally, positions in social services often highlight their degrees' relevance, especially in community engagement contexts, where understanding developmental needs is crucial.
However, it's important to be honest—the relevance of their degree varies significantly across job roles. Many graduates have also ventured into roles that seem tangential to their education, such as administrative positions in various sectors, marketing, or sales. While these positions may require some level of interpersonal communication or understanding of human behavior, they generally do not utilize the specialized knowledge and skills that encompasses Human Development and Family Studies. This indicates that many graduates could be underutilizing their degree potential in the workforce.
In conclusion, while many individuals who studied Human Development and Family Studies have successfully landed jobs directly tied to their training—primarily in education, counseling, and social services—there remains a substantial number who have drifted into less relevant fields. Given the diverse skill set learned in Human Development and Family Studies, it remains vital for graduates to seek positions where their knowledge can greatly impact individuals' and families' lives, aligning with the degree's core focus.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Human Development And Family Studies graduates:
Graduates from programs in Human Development and Family Studies typically pursue diverse career paths that can vary significantly depending on individual interests, while many still remain linked to their field of study. Analyzing the profiles of various alumni reveals some common trajectories and trends in employment over time.
The first job after graduation varies widely from role to role, but many graduates enter entry-level positions such as teacher’s assistants, case managers, or direct support professionals within social services or childcare. For example, recent graduates from Samford University and BYU began their careers as operational managers and youth treatment specialists, respectively. This suggests that many individuals are inclined to start roles that allow them to work directly with families and children, aligning closely with the core focus of their degree. As graduates gain experience, a significant number transition into more specialized positions such as social workers, counselors, or educators within five to ten years. This growth reflects a commitment to advancing their careers while still prioritizing their foundational skills in human services.
Looking at the career trajectories of these graduates over time, it’s notable that many remain employed in fields directly relevant to Human Development and Family Studies. Over five to ten years, graduates frequently move into managerial roles, clinical positions, or even specialized therapy practices. For instance, graduates from universities like Colorado State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro have developed impressive careers as program coordinators, therapists, and educators within the human services realm. However, it should also be acknowledged that some individuals do divert their careers toward unrelated fields, often leveraging their interpersonal skills in areas like human resources, administrative roles, or creative professions.
In summary, graduates in Human Development and Family Studies often begin their careers oriented toward direct service roles that serve children and families, a natural extension of their education. Over time, a substantial number of these individuals progress into leadership or specialized roles within their field. While there exists a portion of graduates who take more varied career paths not directly tied to human development, the overall trend leans positively towards meaningful employment within the realm of human services.
Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies can be pretty manageable for most students. It often involves a mix of psychology, sociology, and practical applications related to family dynamics and child development, which can be fascinating rather than overwhelming. Sure, there are some courses that might challenge you, especially if you're not a fan of research methods or statistics, but overall, many find it a lot more relatable and applicable to everyday life compared to some other majors. So, if you’re passionate about understanding people and relationships, you’ll likely enjoy the journey and find it somewhere around average in terms of difficulty.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Human Development And Family Studies.
Looking at these Human Development and Family Studies graduates, it's clear that their career outcomes are pretty varied when it comes to salary potential. For example, roles like "Clinical Social Worker" or "Occupational Therapist" tend to pay decently, often exceeding $50,000 a year, which is good for starting off. But then we see a good number of alumni in lower-paying roles like "Teacher Aide" or "Nanny," which typically bottom out around $30,000 or less. It's important to remember that many of these careers are rooted in helping people, which can be incredibly fulfilling but might not always bring in big bucks, especially in the early years.
Additionally, some of these graduates seem to stay in lower-wage brackets for longer, while others make quicker transitions into more lucrative positions. It reflects a mix of personal choices and opportunities available in their respective fields. So, while many graduates probably started off not making impressive sums right out of the gate, it's possible for their salaries to increase as they gain experience and change roles over time. Overall, if money is your main goal, it would be wise to consider both the field of HDFS and the specific job paths you're interested in since there’s a noticeable difference in earnings across various professions.
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 And Family Studies. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Human Development And Family Studies (ordered by the average relevance score of their Human Development And Family Studies graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Oklahoma State University
|
91 | 10 |
 University of Wisconsin-Madison
|
84 | 15 |
 University of Wisconsin-Stout
|
83 | 22 |
 The University of Texas at Austin
|
81 | 14 |
 Virginia Tech
|
80 | 12 |
 The Ohio State University
|
77 | 12 |
 Penn State University
|
76 | 34 |
 University of California, Davis
|
76 | 18 |
 Kansas State University
|
75 | 17 |
 University of North Texas
|
74 | 12 |
 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
|
74 | 12 |
 Brigham Young University
|
73 | 28 |
 University of Connecticut
|
72 | 22 |
 Michigan State University
|
71 | 18 |
 Texas Tech University
|
70 | 26 |
 Colorado State University
|
69 | 41 |
 Bowling Green State University
|
69 | 18 |
 University of Rhode Island
|
69 | 14 |
 Oregon State University
|
68 | 28 |
 Washington State University
|
67 | 16 |
 University of Arizona
|
62 | 13 |
 The University of Alabama
|
62 | 10 |
 Arizona State University
|
61 | 29 |
 The University of Georgia
|
61 | 17 |
 University of North Carolina at Greensboro
|
58 | 14 |
 California State University San Marcos
|
49 | 12 |