Career Services Center
Major Resource Kit

Individual & Family Studies
Early Childhood Development & Education
Family & Community Services (Concentrations: Human Services or Family Research)

The department offers two undergraduate majors: Early Childhood Development and Education and Family and Community Services. The Early Childhood Development and Education major is designed for students who plan on working with young children in school, family, and institutional settings. Certification options allow students to pursue careers as teachers and early interventionists. The Family and Community Services major offers two concentrations: Human Services and Family Research. The Human Services tract is designed for students who wish to work in public and private agencies serving clients, infants through the aged, and their families. Graduates are prepared for positions in direct client services and/or management and administration in a variety of institutional and community settings. The Family Research concentration includes a substantial research experience and the development of an area of interest in a related field. This concentration is designed for students whose career goals include subsequent graduate education, and may focus on careers in government work, policy, advocacy, health and social services. Interested students are invited to contact the department office, 111 Alison West, call 831-2969, or visit the department's web site at http://www.udel.edu/ifst.

Sample Job Titles

Bachelor's Degree/Entry Level Further Education/Experience Often Required
*community service director *child care program director
*kindergarten/primary teacher *public policy analyst
*early intervention specialist *Head Start director
*child welfare worker *genetic counselor
*mental health worker *school counselor
*social case worker *vocational rehabilitation counselor
*patient relations representative *social worker
*special ed. preschool teacher *child development specialist
*youth group worker *marriage & family specialist

Check the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, sections 092, 096 and 195, for additional related careers.

Enhancing Employability

- Participate in Internships, Field Experience Placements and Day on the Job
- Sample UD Field Experiences: Prevent Child Abuse - Delaware, New Castle County Head Start, AIDS-Delaware, Ronald McDonald House, Latin American Community Center, Bayard House, Catholic Charities Children's Home, Delaware Elwyn, Easter Seals, Girls, Inc., Family & Workplace Connection, Wilmington Senior Center, WHYY TV-12 (Education Connection Project), UD Cooperative Extension, Planned Parenthood of Delaware, Healthy Environment Child Care Center, Cecil County Social Services, Boys & Girls Club, Christiana Care - Social Work Department, Family Court - State of Delaware

Some Employers of ECDE and FCS Majors

* schools                          
* state/federal government         
* hospitals         	          
* counseling/rehabilitation agencies    
* child care centers           	   
* community service agencies
* parks and recreation agencies    
* health service agencies

Other Sources of Information

Alliance for Children & Families
www.alliance1.org/

American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences
www.aafcs.org

American Counseling Association (ACA)
www.counseling.org/

American Public Health Association
www.apha.org/

American Sociological Association 
www.asanet.org

Community Career Center
www.nonprofitjobs.org/

Delaware Association of Nonprofit Agencies (DANA)
www.delawarenonprofit.org/

Delaware State Government (includes all state agencies)
www.delaware.gov/agencies/egovernment/agencyindex

GuideStar
www.guidestar.org/

Human Services Career Network
www.HSCareers.com

Idealist - Action Without Borders
www.idealist.org

Internet Nonprofit Center
www.nonprofits.org/

Links to Resources for Teachers
www.udel.edu/CSC/teachers.html

MentalHealth.Net
http://mentalhelp.net/

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
www.naeyc.org

National Association for Marriage & Family Therapy
www.aamft.org

National Association of Social Workers
www.naswdc.org

National Child Care Information Center
//nccic.org

National Opportunity NOCS
www.opportunitynocs.org/

Nonprofit Career Network
www.nonprofitcareer.com/

SocialService.Com
www.socialservice.com/

Social Work and Social Services Jobs Online
http://gwbweb.wustl.edu/jobs/index.html

SocialWorkers.org
www.socialworkers.org/

Social Work Job Bank
www.socialworkjobbank.com

The Chronicle of Philanthropy
http://philanthropy.com/jobs/
                         
The New Social Worker Online
www.socialworker.com

The Riley Guide
www.rileyguide.com

Resources for Finding Employment

University of Delaware Career Resource Center Materials Available

Further information including: Skills to Develop, Strategies for Contacting Employers, Grad School Information and where to get assistance is available in the CAREER RESOURCE CENTER located at 401 Academy Street.

Last updated: May 24, 2005 (CH)