What can you do with a Human Development And Family Studies degree from Penn State University?

First, some facts. Of the Human Development And Family Studies graduates from Penn State University 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 34 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 76%, Human Development And Family Studies graduates from Penn State University have a higher likelihood (+9%) 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.

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Also, after graduating, 44% 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:

• What jobs can you get with a Human Development And Family Studies degree from Penn State University?
• What do Human Development And Family Studies graduates from Penn State University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Human Development And Family Studies degree from Penn State University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Human Development And Family Studies degree from Penn State University?
• What are the best colleges for Human Development And Family Studies?

View a random Human Development And Family Studies graduate from Penn State University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 89% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2016 from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Development And Family Studies. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Male Engagement and Prevention Specialist Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA Jul 2016 - Nov 2016 The role of Male Engagement and Prevention Specialist directly utilizes skills and knowledge related to human development and family studies, particularly in addressing domestic violence issues within communities. Assistant Director of Military and Veteran Affairs California University of Pennsylvania May 2017 - Jan 2019 The position as Assistant Director of Military and Veteran Affairs may involve some understanding of family dynamics and support systems, relevant to human development, but is not primarily focused on those core qualifications daily. Mental Health Therapist Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA Jan 2019 - May 2019 As a Mental Health Therapist, the job extensively utilizes the principles of human development and therapeutic techniques learned in the Bachelor's program, making it highly relevant. MST-T Adelphoi Village Dec 2019 - Jul 2020 The role of MST-T (Multisystemic Therapy Therapist) involves applying knowledge from human development and family studies to support at-risk youth and their families, showing strong relevance to the degree. Mental Health Counselor Synergy Springs Soul Center May 2019 - Mar 2021 Working as a Mental Health Counselor involves daily application of skills related to human development and therapeutic practices, aligning closely with the Bachelor's degree. Counselor II Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Inc. Mar 2021 - Aug 2022 The Counselor II position at Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services requires a deep understanding of human behavior and developmental processes, indicating direct daily use of knowledge from the degree. Owner, Licensed Professional Counselor Medley Counseling, LLC Aug 2022 - Present As the owner and Licensed Professional Counselor at Medley Counseling, the role fully utilizes the skills and theories from human development and family studies, making it directly relevant. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Master of Science - MS California University of Pennsylvania 2016 - 2019 ABOUT Owner of Medley Counseling and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. After 23 years in the Navy and 30 years as a volunteer firefighter, I took my experience of working with people in high tempo, stressful situations and focused my efforts to become a counselor. My experience has created a unique style of Counseling focusing on trauma utilizing a person centered approach.In my 8 years of doing Counseling I have worked with victims of domestic violence, juvenile delinquents, complicated grief, drug &alcohol, and trauma related diagnoses.

What jobs can you get with a Human Development And Family Studies degree from Penn State University?

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

• Child Life Specialist
• Administrative Assistant
• Intern
• Human Resources Generalist
• School Counseling Intern
• School Counselor
• Infant/Toddler Teacher
• Clinical Intern
• Early Childhood Educator
• Billing Coordinator

After looking through various LinkedIn profiles of people who studied Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State University, it seems like many of them have landed jobs that are pretty closely tied to what they learned in school. A significant number took roles in education and child development, like teaching positions and child life specialists. Many of these jobs really require a solid understanding of child development, family dynamics, and how to support individuals and families. Other roles, like social workers, mental health counselors, and behavior analysts, also demonstrate a clear connection to the skills and knowledge from the degree, showing that graduates are leveraging their education in direct, impactful ways within the community.

However, there are also quite a few graduates who ended up in jobs that don’t really connect with their Human Development and Family Studies background. For instance, some went into administrative roles, HR, or even positions in finance and compliance, where the link to human development concepts seems a bit stretched. While it’s possible to apply some interpersonal skills in those jobs, they don't necessarily hinge on the specialized knowledge or experiences gained from their degree. Overall, though, it’s clear that many graduates are making a significant impact in areas that directly deal with human development and family issues, showcasing the relevance and practical application of their academic background.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Human Development And Family Studies graduates (this is across all Human Development And Family Studies graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Penn State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Human Development And Family Studies graduates from Penn State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the Human Development and Family Studies program at Penn State University generally follow promising career trajectories that are closely aligned with their field of study. Many of them kick off their careers in hands-on roles, like teaching, childcare, counseling, or social services. For instance, it's common to see graduates start out as infant or toddler teachers, nannies, or in various support roles within healthcare settings. This early industry experience often lays a strong foundation for future advancement into more specialized or managerial positions within the education and healthcare sectors. Over the first five to ten years, many alumni transition into roles such as therapists, social workers, or even leadership roles like program managers and directors in organizations focused on child welfare, education, or family services.

While there are some graduates who veer off into unrelated fields like finance or human resources, the majority of Penn State alumni in this program remain within the sphere of family and child development. This indicates that the degree is not only valuable but also relevant in fostering fulfilling careers. Many advance to notable positions such as Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Child Life Specialists, and even CEOs of organizations dedicated to human services. Overall, it seems that a degree from this program equips graduates with the skills necessary to make a real impact in their communities while also paving the way for a variety of rewarding professional journeys.

How hard is a Human Development And Family Studies degree from Penn State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State University is generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other majors. It's a pretty approachable program that focuses a lot on understanding human behavior and relationships, which can feel more relatable and engaging than, say, something super technical like engineering or hardcore sciences. While you’ll definitely have to do your readings, assignments, and maybe some projects, a lot of students find that the material is interesting and applicable to real life, making it easier to stay motivated. So, if you have a passion for studying how families and individuals develop over time, you might find it less stressful and more enjoyable than you’d think!

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 And Family Studies.

Do Human Development And Family Studies graduates from Penn State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these graduates from Penn State's Human Development and Family Studies program, it seems like they’ve found a range of job opportunities, but the pay probably isn’t super high on average. While some roles, like being a Board Certified Behavior Analyst or a Child Life Specialist, can offer decent salaries, many others—like teaching positions and internships—tend to pay less, especially at entry level. It’s a field that’s very fulfilling emotionally, which is awesome, but if you’re chasing the big bucks, it might not be the best fit. Overall, these grads seem to be doing well in their careers, but I wouldn't say they're swimming in cash; more like floating comfortably!

What buzzwords do Human Development And Family Studies 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 And Family Studies (this is across all Human Development And Family Studies graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Penn State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Human Development And Family Studies?

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