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
Meet with a Career Coach
Discuss your interests in this field further with a career coach!
Designing your major
Your major may or may not be directly related to your career choice, and it’s only one of many factors to consider when exploring career fit.
School of Public Health
- Community Health
- Human Development and Family Studies
- Recreational Therapy
- Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Youth Development
O'Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs
O'Neill Career HubLearn about careers in the field
- Art Therapist
- Career Counselor
- Child Welfare Specialist
- Clergy
- 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
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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:
- Counseling Psychology Student Organization
- Kids for CASA
- You See Me
- A Kid Again IU
- Psychology Club
- Social Work Student Association
- Psi Chi
- Youth Advocating Leadership and Learning (Y’ALL)
- Habitat for Humanity
- IU Dance Marathon
- Colleges Against Cancer at Indiana University
- College Mentors for Kids
- NAMI on Campus Club at Indiana University - Bloomington
- Bridges International
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
- Beacon Solutions for People in Poverty
- People and Animal Learning Services-PAL
- Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
- Middle Way House
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana
- IU Health Bloomington
- Meals on Wheels
- 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.