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Students with a Child Development Option may work in a wide variety of agencies and organizations that have improving the lives of children and their families as their mission. Potential opportunities include, but are not limited to:

Education

• Parent and child education programs in a variety of settings
• Child and Family Specialist in Cooperative Extension
• Youth Worker in church or synagogue
• Children's Museum Curator
• Food Program Director
• Youth Camp Program Director

Government

• Youth Program Worker in local, state, or federally funded agencies
• Child/Family Resource and Referral Center

Health Services

• Child Life Specialist in hospital settings (Specific eligibility requirements apply; please see a CDFS advisor for details)

Health Services

• Pregnancy Crisis Centers or Planned Parenthood
• Hospice Coordinator
• Case Worker - Mental Health & Chemical Dependency Services
• Adolescent Tracking or Mental Health Services

Child/Women's Shelters

• Public school liaison for children in shelter care
• Program planners/directors for developmentally appropriate life skills
• Child Advocacy activities

Human Services

• Work with developmentally disabled individuals in a residential setting
• Early childhood intervention program
• Child Protective Services Evaluator (may require additional training and/or examinations)
• Youth Services (may require additional training and/or examinations)
• Child Custody Evaluator (may require additional training and/or examinations)
• Family/Child Mediator (may require additional training and/or examinations)

NOTE: The Child Development option does not prepare students for careers as preschool teachers or daycare providers. Students interested in these careers should pursue a major in Early Childhood Education, available at a variety of area institutions.

CDFS majors who pursue the Family Science option may qualify for employment in the following types of programs or positions:

Crisis Prevention and Intervention
Domestic Violence Programs
Crisis Hotline Coordinator
Residential Services (troubled adolescents, group homes)
Probation Officer/Correctional Officer
Caseworker (homeless or domestic violence shelter)
Rape & Abuse Crisis Center
Victim Advocacy Services

General Family Services
Activity Therapist
Military Base Family Service Center
Adoption or Foster Care Home Evaluations
Family Service Specialist (Catholic Family Service Center, Lutheran Social Services, The Village Family Service Center, YWCA, etc.)

Nonprofit or Volunteer Sector
Coordinator, Volunteer Bank
Boy or Girl Scout Program Administrator
Big Brother/Big Sister Program

Health Services
Pregnancy Crisis Centers or Planned Parenthood
Hospice Coordinator
Case Worker - Mental Health & Chemical Dependency Services
Adolescent Tracking or Mental Health Services

Education
Cooperative Extension - Family Life or 4-H and Youth Development Specialist
Parent Educator

Government
Benefits Specialist (Supplemental Security Income Program)

The study of family and consumer economics within the field of family science prepares students to work with individuals and families to manage their resources. Students become prepared to work with families experiencing financial difficulties, or who have money to save and invest. Students also become informed of consumer rights and responsibilities to advocate for consumers, and learn how to work with low income families to create or extend human and financial resources. Coursework in this area helps students to understand the interaction between families, economic well-being, and public policy.

The following is a list of career options for family science majors who take an emphasis in/or family economics:

• Financial Planner
• Community Relations Representative
• Consumer Education Coordinator
• Credit Specialist in a Healthcare Setting
• Financial or Consumer Credit Counselor
• Extension Family Economics Specialist
• Consumer Information Specialist
• Family Support Specialist, Community Mental Health
• Government Agencies such as the Housing Authority or Office of Consumer Affairs
• Director of Non-profit Agencies such as Consumer Credit Counseling Services, or
• Small Business Institutes
  • Consumer Fraud Investigator
  • Renter's Hotline Coordinator
• Public Information Officer
• Personal Banker
• Stockbroker
• Credit Fraud Investigator
• Claims Analyst for an Insurance Company
• Customer Service Representative

GERONTOLOGY

A minor in Gerontology at NDSU provides a program of study for students interested in a variety of careers that involve work with the elderly population. Students from a variety of majors such as Child Development and Family Science, Sociology, Psychology, Food and Nutrition, Nursing, Interior Design, and Education can benefit from training in Gerontology.

CAREER OPTIONS:

Career interests available would depend on the major or other training but include:

• Gerontology Education
• Dietitian for a Nursing Home.
• Senior Activity Coordinator
• Designer/Architect of Housing Facilities
• Respite Care Provider
• Adult Day Care Services *
• Elderly Volunteer Services *
• Mental Health Services for Elderly Persons*
• Geriatric Nursing
• Social Service Programs for Elderly Persons*
• Long-term Care Administration *
• Corporate Health Planning