Explore professions that serve your community and learn which degrees to pursue, including human services, psychology, criminal justice, and emergency services.
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If the most rewarding part of your day is knowing you made life a little easier, safer, or more hopeful for someone else, then you may be looking for a career where helping others is not just part of the job—it is the job.
These careers span fields such as human services, behavioral health, psychology, criminal justice, and emergency medical services.
Some helping professions require a bachelor’s or graduate degree, while others can begin with a certificate or a two-year associate degree. This guide explores careers for people who love helping others and the degree areas that can prepare you for them.
In This Guide:
- What Helping Professions Are
- Helping Profession Career Pathways
- Certificates and Degree Options
- How to Choose a Helping Profession
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Helping Professions?
Helping professions are careers focused on improving people’s health, safety, stability, or quality of life. They include fields such as human services, behavioral health, psychology, social services, public safety, and emergency response.
Some helping professionals work directly with individuals and families. Others coordinate resources, respond to crises, support rehabilitation, or create programs that benefit entire communities.
Depending on the role, helping professionals may:
- Find housing, food assistance, or healthcare
- Navigate mental health or substance use treatment
- Reenter the community after incarceration
- Understand and change patterns of behavior
- Receive medical care during an emergency
- Access services after a personal or family crisis
Are Helping Professions a Good Career Choice?
Helping professions can be a strong fit for people who want their work to have a clear purpose. They can lead to opportunities in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, healthcare facilities, treatment centers, schools, residential programs, and emergency response organizations.
Many of these career areas are also expected to grow as communities need more professionals who can connect people with resources, support behavioral health, assist with rehabilitation, and respond to emergencies.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, several helping professions are projected to grow as fast as or faster than the 3% average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034:
| Career | Projected employment growth, 2024–2034 | Compared with all occupations |
|---|---|---|
| Community health workers | 11% | Much faster than average |
| Social and human service assistants | 6% | Faster than average |
| Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors | 17% | Much faster than average |
| Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists | 3% | About as fast as average |
| EMT and paramedics | 5% | Faster than average |
These roles require different levels of education. Some entry-level support positions may be available with a certificate or associate degree, while advanced roles commonly require a bachelor’s or graduate degree.
Helping Professions Career Pathways
Start by thinking about the type of support you would most like to provide.
This table introduces some primary pathways:
| If you want to… | Careers to explore | Related degree areas |
|---|---|---|
| Help people meet practical needs and navigate services such as housing, healthcare, employment, or food assistance | Human service assistant, case aide, family support worker, community outreach worker | Human services, social work, sociology |
| Support people managing mental health conditions, substance use, or recovery | Behavioral health technician, psychiatric technician, substance use support worker | Behavioral health, human services, psychology |
| Study human behavior and prepare for behavioral health, research, or advanced helping careers | Behavioral aide, research assistant, social services assistant; later, counselor or psychologist | Psychology, behavioral science |
| Advocate for people affected by crime, incarceration, or reentry challenges | Victim advocate, reentry worker, juvenile services worker | Human services, criminal justice, psychology |
| Respond to medical emergencies | Emergency medical responder, EMT, advanced EMT, paramedic | Emergency medical services, paramedicine |
Note: Education, certification, and licensing requirements vary by occupation, employer, and state. Research the requirements for a specific career where you live.
Human Services Careers
Human services is a broad field focused on helping individuals, families, and communities improve their well-being. Professionals may interview clients, identify challenges, document progress, and connect people with services involving housing, healthcare, employment, disability support, food assistance, or family needs.
Roles these programs may help you prepare for include:
- Social and human service assistant
- Case work aide
- Family service assistant
- Community health worker
- Community outreach assistant
- Residential support worker
- Youth program assistant
- Addictions counselor assistant
Programs to consider: Look for certificates or associate degrees with names such as Human Services or Social Work.
An associate degree in Human Services may provide broad preparation for entry-level support roles. In contrast, a Social Work associate degree is often designed as the first step toward transferring into a bachelor’s program. Shorter certificates may focus on a specific area, such as community health, family services, or substance use support.
A bachelor’s or graduate degree can lead to careers such as a social worker, counselor, or social and community service manager.
Behavioral Health and Mental Health Careers
Behavioral health professionals support people whose mental health, substance use, habits, or life circumstances affect their overall well-being. They may observe behavior, assist with treatment activities, document progress, and help clients manage daily routines in treatment centers, residential programs, hospitals, or community organizations.
Roles these programs may help you prepare for include:
- Behavioral health technician
- Mental health technician
- Psychiatric technician
- Psychiatric aide
- Residential treatment technician
- Substance use support worker
- Behavioral health case aide
Programs to consider: Look for certificates or associate degrees with names such as Behavioral Health, Mental Health Technician, Substance Use Studies, Human Services, or Psychology.
A focused behavioral health or mental health certificate may provide faster preparation for certain technician and support roles. Human Services associate degrees offer a broader foundation that may be applicable across behavioral health, substance use, case management, and community support settings.
A bachelor’s or graduate degree can lead to careers such as a substance abuse counselor, mental health counselor, clinical social worker, or behavior analyst.
Psychology-Related Careers
Psychology is the study of how people think, feel, develop, and behave. Professionals with a background in psychology may support people in behavioral health, social services, education, research, or community programs.
Support roles to explore may include:
- Social and human service assistant
- Psychiatric aide
- Behavioral health technician
- Mental health technician
- Residential support worker
- Psychiatric technician with applicable training
Programs to consider: Look for associate degrees with names such as Psychology, Behavioral Science, or Human Services.
An associate degree in Psychology is often designed for students who plan to transfer into a bachelor’s program. Behavioral Science or Human Services programs may place more emphasis on applied skills for entry-level support roles.
A bachelor’s or graduate degree can lead to careers such as research assistant, social worker, counselor, behavior analyst, or psychologist. Licensed clinical roles require additional education and professional credentials.
Criminal Justice and Community Support Careers
Criminal justice includes more than law enforcement and corrections. Professionals may advocate for victims, support rehabilitation, work with young people, or help individuals address challenges involving housing, employment, substance use, or reentry after incarceration.
Roles these programs may help you prepare for include:
- Victim services assistant
- Reentry program assistant
- Juvenile program aide
- Correctional case aide
- Residential reentry staff member
- Community outreach assistant in a justice setting
- Court services assistant
Programs to consider: Look for certificates or associate degrees in Criminal Justice, Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Victim Advocacy, or Human Services with a criminal justice concentration.
An associate degree in Criminal Justice may introduce students to courts, corrections, law enforcement, and the broader justice system. Students more interested in advocacy, rehabilitation, or reentry support may prefer a Human Services program that includes criminal justice coursework.
A bachelor’s degree can prepare you for positions involving independent case management or greater legal authority. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, for example, typically need a bachelor’s degree.
Emergency Medical Services Careers
Emergency medical services professionals provide immediate care during illnesses, injuries, accidents, and other urgent situations. They may assess patients, perform medical procedures, document care, and transport people to hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
Entry-level and advancing roles include:
- Emergency medical responder
- Emergency medical technician
- Advanced emergency medical technician
- Paramedic
Programs to consider: Look for Emergency Medical Responder, EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic certificates, as well as associate degrees titled Emergency Medical Services or Paramedicine.
The appropriate credential depends on the level of care you want to provide. Students can often begin with an entry-level EMS certificate and continue toward more advanced certification or an associate degree. Each level requires approved training and applicable state certification or licensure.
All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed, although specific requirements vary.
Should I earn a Certificate, Associate Degree, or Bachelor’s Degree?
The right educational pathway depends on how quickly you want to start, how specific your career goal is, and whether your intended role requires an advanced credential.
| Credential | Duration | May be a good fit if you… |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | A few months to one year | Want focused preparation for a specific entry-level role |
| Associate Degree | About two years | Want broader career preparation and/or transferable college credit |
| Bachelor’s Degree | About four years | Plan to pursue roles that require more advanced education |
| Graduate Degree | Typically two years, while a doctorate takes longer | Want to become a licensed counselor, psychologist, clinical social worker, or another advanced professional |
Before selecting a program, confirm whether the credential will prepare you to enter your intended career or primarily serve as the next step toward a higher degree.
How to Choose the Right Helping Profession for You
Ask yourself:
- Do I want to develop long-term relationships or respond to immediate needs?
- Would I prefer an office, a treatment facility, a community setting, or an emergency scene?
- Am I comfortable supporting people experiencing trauma or crisis?
- Do I prefer conversations and case planning or active, hands-on work?
- How quickly do I want to enter the workforce?
- Am I willing to pursue a bachelor’s or graduate degree?
- Does the career require a license or certification?
You can also speak with academic advisors, interview people working in the field, or volunteer with a community organization to learn what the work is really like.
If you are exploring helping professions as part of a career pivot, read our guide to changing your career without starting over.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best helping career depends on the type of difference you want to make:
- Help people find the resources they need to thrive: Consider becoming a social and human service assistant, community health worker, case aide, or family support worker.
- Support people through mental health challenges or recovery by exploring roles such as behavioral health technician, mental health technician, psychiatric technician, or residential support worker.
- Help people affected by crime or incarceration: Consider roles in victim services, reentry support, juvenile programs, or correctional case support.
- Provide care during medical emergencies: Explore careers as an emergency medical responder, EMT, advanced EMT, or paramedic.
Some of these careers may be accessible with a certificate or associate degree, while others require a bachelor’s degree, graduate education, certification, or professional licensure.
For example, programs in psychology, human services, or social work can also begin a pathway toward careers such as counselor, social worker, behavior analyst, or psychologist.
Research the requirements for the specific role and state where you plan to work.
Careers that may begin with a high school diploma or equivalent include:
- Community health worker
- Psychiatric aide
- Social and human service assistant
Some employers may prefer applicants who have completed college coursework, a certificate, or an associate degree.
Careers that may require a certificate, specialized training, and/or an associate degree include:
- Behavioral health technician
- Psychiatric technician
- Emergency medical technician
- Paramedic
Careers that commonly require a bachelor’s degree include:
- Probation officer
- Correctional treatment specialist
- Nonclinical social worker
- Substance abuse or behavioral disorder counselor
Careers that generally require graduate education and professional licensure include:
- Mental health counselor
- Clinical social worker
- Psychologist
The right choice depends on the people you want to support, your preferred work environment, and the education required.
A human services degree prepares students to support individuals, families, and communities.
Coursework may include interviewing, case management, ethics, psychology, sociology, and methods for connecting clients with resources.
Entry-level careers include:
- Social and human service assistant
- Community outreach worker
- Family support specialist
- Victim services assistant
Some behavioral health support roles may be available with a certificate or an associate degree. These can include behavioral health technician, psychiatric technician, mental health aide, or residential treatment assistant.
Licensed counseling and clinical positions generally require additional education and professional licensure.
A focused certificate is usually the fastest college credential. Some behavioral health and emergency medical services certificates can be completed in approximately one year or less.
The fastest option is not automatically the best one. Consider whether the credential prepares you for your intended job and whether you may want to continue your education later.
Prepare for a Helping Career at San Juan College
San Juan College (SJC) offers affordable certificate and associate degree programs for students who want to help individuals, families, and communities.
Program options include:
- Human Services AA: Choose from Generalist, Substance Abuse, or Criminal Justice pathways and build skills for supporting people with a variety of social and community needs.
- Behavioral Health/Mental Health Certificate: Complete the certificate in two semesters through online or in-person courses.
- Psychology AA: Study human behavior through flexible online or in-person courses while preparing for entry-level opportunities or transfer.
- Emergency Medical Services Certificates: Choose from Emergency Medical Responder, EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic certificates. Each can be completed in one calendar year or less.
- Paramedic AAS: Complete an associate degree in approximately two years through hybrid instruction, clinical hours, and a field internship.
Make an affordable investment in your future. Eligible New Mexico residents may be able to use the NM Opportunity or Lottery Scholarships to cover tuition and required fees at San Juan College.
If you are ready to help people in your community, San Juan College can help you get started.
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