Human services is a major devoted to helping others in the community. It prepares students to understand human problems and to intervene effectively. The major prepares students to work in a variety of settings, such as social services, mental health, family services, child care and youth programs.

This major is elusive to many, even though human services had the second largest amount of graduates in Elon College, the College of the Arts and Sciences, in 2007. It is usually ranked in the top five majors among graduates.

Associate professor of human services Cynthia Fair has taught at Elon for eight years. She believes the generally broad nature of the major is the reason so few people know about it.

“Human services does not identify with one single group—it pulls from social work, psychology, public policy, criminal justice and many other disciplines,” she said. “There are many voices focused on strengthening the well-being of people in the world.”

Senior Katie Koeppel learned about the human services major her freshman year. Professors from various departments spoke about different majors during her Elon 101.

“My entire life I knew I wanted to help others,” Koeppel said. “I picked human services for my (Elon 101) class and interviewed a human services professor. From the information she provided me, along with additional information about the department, it made me realize human services was right for me.”

Senior Rachel Maliniak had similar reasons for majoring in human services.

“I wanted to give forward to someone or something because I have been given so much in my life from amazing mentors and people in my life,” she said. “I want to continue this, and learn how to be an effective helper.”

As any student at Elon, human services majors are constantly busy with coursework. However, something special sets this major apart. Students participate in hands-on fieldwork as part of their studies.

“There is talk at Elon about the ‘Elon Bubble;’ human services stretches you past that bubble because of our classes and working in the field,” junior Shannon Waite said. “You get to see what the real world is like; it’s rewarding to know that you can make a difference in the world.”

Students gain field experience through the practicum in human services, which enables students to observe and shadow human services professionals and become familiar with administrative processes full-time for three weeks. In addition, seniors participate full-time in a human services agency for eight weeks, which is required for graduation.

“Reading a textbook is a way of learning about human services, but there is nothing better than seeing real-life experiences,” Fair said. “It changes perspectives.”

Senior Rachel Jones gained valuable experience during her practicum.

“I interned at an elementary school with the school counselor and met many wonderful children,” Jones said. “I still volunteer there every week.”

The human services department has established working relationships with over 100 agencies through students’ practicums and internships. Some institutions in Alamance County include Alamance County Sheriff’s Department and Health Department, Western Middle School, Burlington Police Department, Guilford Child Development Center, Twin Lakes Retirement Center and Greensboro Volunteer Center.

“It may sound cheesy, but I decided to major in human services because I wanted to make a difference,” senior Jenny Vanyur said. “I was always interested in community service and how to improve the situations of those in less fortunate positions.”

These experiences draw upon knowledge in the social sciences, especially psychology and sociology, working towards improving human life and society.

“Human services is grounded in the social sciences,” Fair said. “Psychology and sociology are very important for theory, intervention and research in the field.”

Graduates in recent years have been employed in many different positions, such as activities directors, social workers, juvenile court counselors, psychiatric assistants, counselors, probation officers, agency and volunteer coordinators and case managers.

Reporter: Colby Pierce - 10/03/07