Counseling, helping, and social service careers strive to give clients support and improve their well-being and quality of life. Depending on the job title, clients may range from children to seniors and topics may include diverse issues such as abuse, mental health, ministry, marriage and family, education, and many more.
Career Guide
Designing your major
Your major may be indirectly or directly related to your career choice, and it’s only one of many pieces to finding a good career fit. There are many majors that are related to counseling, helping, and social service, including:
Learn about careers in the field
- Art Therapist
- Career Counselor
- Child Welfare Specialist
- Clergy
- Cyber Crime and Digital Evidence Specialist
- Healthcare Social Worker
- Health Educator
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Mental Health Counselor
- Mental Health Worker
- Occupational Therapist
- Patient Support Advocate
- Probation Officer
- Recreational Therapist
- Rehabilitation Specialist
- Safety Coordinator
- Social Justice Educator
- Speech Therapist
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Youth Center Director
Learn through experience
Join a student organization
Student organizations can help us clarify our interests and build experience. Here are a few ideas of organizations in this area:
- Kids for CASA
- You See Me
- A Kid Again IU
- Psychology Club
- Social Work Student Association
- Psi Chi
- Crimson CORPS
- Youth Advocating Leadership and Learning (Y’ALL)
- Habitat for Humanity
- IU Dance Marathon
- Colleges Against Cancer at Indiana University
- College Mentors for Kids
- HealthNOW
- Eta Sigma Gamma - Nu Chapter
- Phi Alpha Delta
- Health Professions & Prelaw Center
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering in the community has many benefits for the community and for your personal and professional development. How can you use your knowledge and skills to make a difference?
- Area 10 Agency on Aging
- People and Animal Learning Services-PAL
- Southern Care Hospice
- Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
- Middle Way House
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana
- Friend’s Place Shelter (Formerly Martha’s House)
- IU Health Bloomington
- Meals on Wheels
- IU Health Bloomington Shadowing, Follow a Physician
- United Way of Monroe County
- Community Kitchen of Monroe County
Get an expert's perspective
There are many ways to explore careers, through research, gaining experience, and talking with other people. Your career coach is here to mentor you and help you find ways to explore that fit you best.