Although many people use the child development degree they earn at Ventura College to directly teach young children in a 0 - Pre-K classroom or family child care program, there are many students who want to work with children and families, however, they don’t want to work in a classroom. Below is a list of potential careers available to you with a Child Development degree that are not directly classroom related. Note: Many positions listed below will require additional schooling to achieve at least a Bachelor's Degree.
| Career Paths for Child or Child and Adolescent Development Background | ||
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| Child/Family Advocacy and Government | Lobbyist Legislation Impacting children and families Child Care Law and Employment Law Grant Writer Fund Raiser Government Official Advocacy Advocate Community Care Licensing Staff Children Services Coordinator for Volunteers Social Services Rehabilitation Program Coordination Research Program Evaluation Legislation Family Lawyer Resource and Referral Agency Staff |
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| Business and Communication | Child and Education Product Developer Early Childhood Quality Consultant Early Childhood Program Director Curriculum Developer Toy Inventor Toy Tester Author of Child/Youth books and media programs Retail with developmental focus on children’s books, music, toys Design of children’s products (e.g. clothing, furniture, playground equipment) Party Planner Sales representative Consumer advocate Journalism Public Relations Research Editing Broadcasting Entertainer/Puppeteer/Clown Corporate Advisor on Child Care Programs Designer of Developmentally Appropriate Indoor and Outdoor Spaces |
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| Counseling and Human Services | Residential Care Specialist Community Services Family Support Services Personnel Youth Development Advisor Case Management/Child Abuse Case Worker Counseling Administration of Human Services Foster Care and Adoption Services |
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| Education | Family and Consumer Science Research Curriculum Development Administration (school districts/child care) Student Affairs Counseling Parent/Parent-Child Education Museum Educator School Psychologist/Counselor School Liaison PE/Music/Art Teacher Occupational Therapist Special Education Remedial Subjects Instructor Tutor Remedial Education Instructor Early Childhood Educator Family Child Care Provider School Readiness Coordinator Substitute Teacher Educational Interpreter for Deaf Education Software Tester Child Assessment Assistant or Evaluator After School Program Staff Home Visitor Teaching (K-12) Early Childhood Teaching (0-5) Early Childhood Special Education Family Liaison Children’s Librarian School District Support Staff |
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| Health | Child Life Specialist Public Health and Wellness Educator Patient Advocate Pre and Post Natal Care Instructor Birth and Newborn Care Instructor Child Care for Medically Fragile Children Child Life Specialist Occupational Therapist School Nurse Family Therapist Child Psychologist/Psychiatrists Childbirth Instructor Midwife Pediatric Nurse Physical Therapist Speech Therapist Pediatrician Child Nutritionist |
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| Juvenile Justice | Probation Officer Group Home Manger Educator within the Juvenile Justice System |
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| Recreation | Recreation Specialist Camp director Scouting Troop Leader Coach Camp counselor |
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| Resources | Information gathered from a variety of sources including the website below What can I do with this degree? Career Ideas for Child Development Majors |
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