As the majority of the social science graduates in 2012, I find the social service employment sector to be the most attractive for me. In particular, I would be interested in having a career as a teen court case manager or residential crisis counselor. These jobs interest me since both of them involve working closely with some of the most vulnerable members of modern society. I would like to be able to utilize my knowledge of society and its systemic issues to help disadvantaged individuals in difficult situations.
A residential crisis counselor, for example, works with homeless and runaway teenagers in a shelter, providing them with means to access psychological support and be re-integrated into society. I consider this occupation to be an extremely emotionally rewarding one, fitting the narrative of meaningful work. By assisting those in objectively difficult situations in getting a better life for themselves, I could feel like I am using my knowledge and effort for the greater good. The same can largely be said about the occupation of a teen court case manager.
Additionally, these two positions would allow me to work closely with challenging situations, satisfying my interest in the ways social patterns and intersectional discrimination manifest in real life. I believe that my skills in data analysis, research design, social institutions, and communication would help me significantly in either of the aforementioned jobs.
The knowledge and experience in working with information would allow me to decipher the life patterns of the vulnerable individuals I would be working with, facilitating a higher quality of support. Communication skills would be essential for establishing trust and mutual understanding in any social service occupation.