Career Options for Child Development Majors
A degree in Child Development prepares students to work directly with infants, children and their families
in a variety of settings including child care, education, community services, social services, medical,
government, communications and business. A bachelor’s degree is typically sufficient for entry-level
positions while an advanced degree is needed for clinical and therapeutic counseling positions as well as
supervisory positions.
Sample of Transferable Skills Acquired Through Attending College
Listening skills
Synthesize
Conceptualize
Organization
Group facilitation
research writing
Thinking abstractly
Making decisions
Critical analysis
Establishing goals
Individual differences Planning/organize
Time management
Supervising/leading Conducting surveys
Program management
Communication
Assessment
Historical references
Organization
Problem-solving
Creativity
Report writing
Editing
Working under deadlines
Analysis/evaluation
Library research
Cultural/diversity sensitivity
Sample of Course Content Areas Transferable to Multiple Fields
Human development
Supervision
Cognitive development
Play activities
Second language theory
Creative writing
Learning theory
Child civil rights
Play theory
Biological influences
Socialization
Public speaking
Training
Social development
Child development
Cultural influences
Parenting issues
Motor development
Administration
Language development
Literacy development
Research methodology
Movement education
Cross-cultural issues
Sample Career Fields Directly or Indirectly Related to Child Development
Children-related manufacturers
Teaching
Child advocacy law
International organization
Non-profit organizations
Adoption
Advocacy
Alcohol and drug treatment
Art therapy
Childcare
Education
Early childhood education
Residential children’s care
Corrections
Curriculum development
Children-related healthcare fields
Family preservation
Child Protective Services
Foster care
Homeless services
Mental health services
Case Management
Teen parenting services
Pregnancy services
Women/infants/ and children programs
Family law
Parent education
Nutrition/health
Family life
Program evaluation
Stress management
Parenting classes
Marriage enrichment
Mediation
Training and development
Consultants
Television and theater
Photography
Art/Creativity
Entrepreneur
Theme parks
Research
Children’s rights Associations and organizations
Sales
Recreation and Tourism
Teaching
Journalism
Teaching Administration
Public policy
Program coordination
Academic Advising and Career Center • California State University, Sacramento • (916) 278-6231 • www.csus.edu/careercenter • 2013