Human Services Degree, Certificates Lead to Jobs Helping Others

Richmond Community College has revamped its Human Services Technology program to provide four tracks of study that include social work, at-risk youth, gerontology and substance abuse.

Students will receive certificates for each track of study they complete while working toward the associate degree for Human Services Technology.

“These certificates prepare you for jobs that are in as much demand as anything in the technical field because they deal with helping people,” Amanda Faulk, lead instructor for the Human Services program, said. “People are important, and they’re always going to need help in some form or fashion.

“Unfortunately, there’s always going to be some sort of crisis or disaster, family dysfunction, substance abuse, mental disorders or personal struggles, so the need for social workers is never going to go away,” Faulk added. “There are many important jobs and fields of study, but there’s nothing more important than a human’s life.”

The Human Services program prepares students for a variety of careers, including social and community service manager, recreation worker, physical therapist aide, health educator, rehabilitation counselor, mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor and juvenile camp coordinator.

Teresa Smith of Laurel Hill provides behavioral support for Scotland County Schools. Being in the Human Services Technology program at RichmondCC provided her with the skills to get the job with the school system and has put her on track to her ultimate goal, which is to be a guidance counselor.

“I’ve always had a heart to help others,” Smith said. “I have five children, and I’ve seen their friends go through a lot of different things as they were growing up. I was always the person they came to talk to and for help. That’s why I want to work in the schools and become a social worker or guidance counselor because I want to be able to reach other kids and help them as well.”

Smith is working toward an associate degree in Human Services Technology, but she will also have certificates in at-risk youth and substance abuse when she completes the program.

“My instructors at RichmondCC have given me direction in my career plans and have helped me take the classes I need to achieve those goals,” Smith said.

Fall semester begins Aug. 17 at RichmondCC. New students can register for fall classes by coming to the College’s main campus in Hamlet or the Honeycutt Center in Laurinburg. Applications can be completed online.

For more information about the Human Services Technology program or other programs offered at RichmondCC, call (910) 410-1700.