Humanities & Social Sciences Jobs

Humanities and social sciences jobs and careers represent academic disciplines that study aspects of the human experience, expression and behavior. Most jobs in these areas require college education, usually a minimum of a bachelor's degree. The humanities and social sciences represent diverse fields, from the fine arts to human services and jobs dealing with the economy.

Human Services

Human services jobs address a variety of needs in the community and often involve working directly with and for individuals or families. For example, social workers often advocate for the needs of people in the community and work to bring resources like financial or medical help to individuals and families. A counselor provides therapy to individuals on a variety of issues, including mental illness, relationship and family issues. Other jobs include parole and probation officers, child care workers and volunteer coordinators. Human services jobs can be found in many places, including community mental health centers, hospitals, family service and child welfare agencies, prisons, day care centers, and nursing and retirement homes.

Economist

Economists analyze the allocation of limited resources within society, such as land, labor and raw materials, to produce goods and services. A variety of jobs and specialties exists for economists. For example, financial and monetary economists study the effects that changing interest rates have on money and the banking system. Public finance economists study the government's role in the economy and the effects of its policies, such as tax cuts and welfare policies. Other economists include micro- and macro-economists and international economists. Economists work in varying places, including government agencies and departments, consulting and research firms and corporations.

Communication

Communication jobs often require skills like listening, speaking, sociability, decision-making and problem solving. You can find these jobs in many areas, including business, social services, health care, customer service and public relations industries. For example, corporations often hire communications specialists to serve as public relations officers. Newspapers, television stations and other media companies hire people to work as researchers, journalists and reporters. You can also get a job as a radio talk-show host. Other communication jobs include public affairs director, speechwriter and speech-language therapist.

Fine Arts

Many individuals in the fine arts industry work as freelancers and self-employed persons, but other jobs can be found as well. You can find basically four types of jobs in the fine arts industry. Art directors often work in the digital media and newspaper industry, developing, designing and reviewing concepts and materials used for publication. Multimedia artists create special effects, images and animations for films, videos and other electronic media. Fine artists produce original artwork and jobs in this category include painters, sculptors and illustrators. Lastly, craft artists produce handmade items like quilts, candles, pottery, furniture and glass art.

References

• California State University, Fullerton Career Center: What Can I Do With This Degree? Human Services
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Economists
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Artists and Related Workers
• Western Washington University: Career Information - What Can You Do With a Degree in Communication?
• Cornell University: Ah, the Humanities -- What are They?