Educating ourselves about the employment sector of human service, its role, the multitude of
occupations and jobs, and the diverse factors shaping our work is critical for comparing it to
others. Based on the level of their training, skills, or a combination of the two, it is possible to
categorize human service workers into the following areas: First, depending on their role,
human service professionals can carry out counseling duties and take on broader
responsibilities such as advocacy or mobilization. Professionally certified, licensed, and
educated professionals, such as social workers, medical professionals, religious figures, and
mental health workers, constitute a separate category. Finally, peers and volunteers can serve
as a classification, encompassing people with little or no prior experience helping others and
those with extensive notable qualifications and abilities. Whatever their range of expertise and
skill set, Employees in this industry primarily receive orientation and on-the- job training to
prepare them for their positions (Woodside & McClam, 2018).
Working in the human services field, you will collaborate alongside various other
professionals with different levels of training and experience. They usually have graduate-
level training in helping theory and skills and often have clinical experience under their belts;
however, their qualifications and training may differ. In the context of a multidisciplinary
approach, human services professionals and all other professionals who work within the same
agency are generally concerned with improving quality of life, solving problems, and
coordinating services for individuals, families, and communities. Since the human services
field has a multifaceted mission, many professionals have intersecting responsibilities
(Woodside & McClam, 2018).
The purpose and duties of human services differ depending on the position, but all individuals
find themselves drawn to human services for various reasons. Individuals come from diverse
backgrounds, but the experiences we gain from them can sometimes motivate us. Despite this,
human service helpers devote their time to helping others.
Most nonprofessional helpers are:
• Stewards of their communities.
• People with a natural tendency to help.
• c c c Individuals who volunteer with organizations that provide essential human services.
Nonprofessionals who exhibit high levels of social responsibility, selflessness, concern for
others, and little interest in their financial gain are some characteristics that define the most
common type of workers in human services, volunteers. Yet, just like human service
professionals, nonprofessional helpers also serve the same purpose: helping those clients in
need (Woodside & McClam, 2018), and based on this concept, it is possible to optimize the
limited number of human service workers with nonprofessional helpers while reducing staff
shortages.
It is human nature to want to feel that your efforts contribute to the greater good and positively
impact someone else. An effective working relationship leads to better organizational
communication and a happier atmosphere. A collaborative workplace is one in which
everyone works together and recognizes that each role plays an integral part in the
organization. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is essential to this process. It is
important to share your knowledge and experience with others, whether professionals or
nonprofessionals and reach out to those with more experience to learn and grow, for example,
utilizing the skills your colleagues may offer. Next, consider how you can contribute in return.
The key is to know where you can add value and where others can help, regardless of their
skill sets or expertise levels (Baure & Erdogan, 2012). c
In collaboration, communication is paramount when considering its various aspects. In the
workplace, effective communication requires more than speaking and writing in a manner that
fully conveys intent, but listening, which fosters trust and interpersonal relationships.
Communication fulfills three main functions within an organization: coordinating efforts,
transmitting information, and sharing emotions and feelings (Baure & Erdogan, 2012). A
continual evolution is also part of the human services industry, so communicating with
colleagues and being open to their perspectives is crucial. Furthermore, in a hierarchical
organization, it is required to follow the chain of command and communicate with the
management team (Woodside & McClam, 2018).
Workplace undercurrents and dynamics are a part of a company's culture. Stress inside an
organization can be both positive and negative. The stressors generate anxiety, nervousness,
and tension in the workplace environment and interactions. A significant factor that influences
the quality of a working environment is time management. A good time management skill
leads to increased productivity, resulting in more free time; more free time means more
learning opportunities, less stress, and more focus, resulting in better work-life balance (Baure
& Erdogan, 2012). c
Overall, to contribute to Company culture, I would instill values to work as a team, respect the
individual, commit to quality, communicate, listen, value diversity, and take ownership.
The first question is, "How are human services professionals similar to and different from
other professionals who work in the same agency?" From the chapter 9 reading, there were
many levels of professions that not even I was aware of. In human services, I related it to
social workers, working endless shifts hours and being overloaded with cases that were
stacked for the next month or year. But upon reading all the levels of jobs that work in human
services, anyone in human services works can do the same for everyone involved, and that I
mean, case managers that work with individuals and families for resources of the needs they
come in for. The individual that looks into home care with agencies to bring in services for
someone staying home instead of nursing homes. c The second question, "How are they similar
to and different from non-professional helpers (e.g., volunteers) who work in the same
agency? " The difference between the professional and non-professional (volunteers) is
helping out at schools, in the lunch room, or helping with reading in the school library. It is
working on their time and going out to sites for volunteering in food banks, and second-hand
stores or some may need assistance in transportation. Volunteering keeps the workload lite for
the human services that are getting paid to do other work that requires work to be done. The
third question is, "What could you do to work collaboratively with both other professionals
and non-professionals in the agency? " I am not much of a person to volunteer for work, it may
be for an occasion for some small party or babysitting, but for me, I am one to do a job and get
paid for it. The social worker has more "on the plate" than anyone in the human service work,
this doesn't leave out counselors or case workers, but a case manager is someone that can do a
lot in assisting a social worker. Paperwork is a big project that takes a lot of time and social
workers end up bringing it home. If case managers have duties that require their own attention,
then a volunteer can be of assistance to social workers. Chapter nine did fill my head with
ideas of what titles work in the human services division and I can understand more of all the
work and brainstorming everyone does in their title with human services. If it were up to me
now, I would try for being a case manager but I am someone that gets involved deeply. The
other one I would look into is the Mental health counselor, I have an ear and can empathize
with a lot of clients that have dealt with some stress in their lives.
Woodside, Marianne R. An Introduction to Human Services chapter nine pages 225 to 253
Reference
Baure, T.N., & Erdogan, B. (2012). Outcomes of Organizational Socialization. In C. Wanberg
(Ed.), Oxford Handbook of Organizational Socialization (pp. 97-112). Oxford, UK: Oxford
University Press.
Woodside, M. R., & McClam, T. (2018). An Introduction to Human Services (9th ed.).
Cengage Learning US. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781337671262
