Community Welfare and Human Services

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Undergraduate Major

Faculty of Education and Arts

Description

This major provides students the opportunity to study policy and practice in welfare, education and community services. It prepares students for innovative and creative employment in the dynamic community welfare sector and the broad arena of human services. Drawing on an experience based model of learning, the course equips students for capacity building for individuals, families, groups, communities and organisations to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable society.

Students who graduate with a major in Community Welfare and Social Services find employment in community organisations, local government, and state or federal government areas which focus on people. Some examples include:

  • children's services
  • youth
  • health
  • housing
  • juvenile justice
  • family support
  • women and children's crisis support and refuges
  • cultural and recreational projects

Community Welfare and Human Service workers are also concerned with extending social research influence in the pursuit of social justice goals in international contexts and related professions. Some graduates may pursue a social research career or engage in various forms of social research within their welfare and human services practice.

Industry Experience

Students undertaking this major via the Bachelor of Social Science have the option of doing a practicum/field study in a community or government agency. The practicum/field study involves both project planning and project implementation.

For more information about Community Welfare and Human Services, visit the School of Humanities and Social Sciences site.

 

View our Bachelor of Social Science in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.

View our Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.

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Some occupations require a higher level of completed study than an undergraduate degree, and for this reason it is worthwhile considering the range of Honours, Research Higher Degrees (RHD), Postgraduate Coursework programs and additional study options available. These options may also be useful for specialising in a particular area, or to stimulate career change. Some of the future options following a major in Classical Languages include:

 

Honours: Bachelor of Social Science (Honours)

 

Postgraduate Study:

Research

Masters by Research
PhD

As the global job sector can be competitive, it is of great advantage to complete a post-graduate qualification, particularly by independent research (such as Masters by Research, or PhD). See examples of research areas within this discipline here.

Coursework

After completing a degree there are a broad range of post graduate options available in a variety of fields which can allow you to specialise in a particular area of interest or build upon your existing knowledge base. To explore such options please visit the Post Graduate Handbook at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/campaigns/postgrad/

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Sample Jobs

The following list provides some example jobs for the Community Welfare and Human Services major. Some of these jobs will depend upon the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, and the combination of other majors and electives studied, for example some may require further study.

Getting the Edge

Most employers seek to recruit people who have relevant work experience and an appreciation for their industry. Here is a check list of ideas about gaining experience and industry knowledge.

  1. Check the type of experience most employers in your field of interest expect. Don’t overlook the part time work you may be currently doing. Most employers understand that the skills are transferrable even if the work is not in their industry.
  2. Check your academic program for any courses that involve a placement or the opportunity to undertake an industry based project.
  3. Check your school for Summer Scholarships for research opportunities.
  4. Check vacancy sites for advertised traineeships, part time employment and vacation work opportunities in your field.
  5. Source and approach organisations directly about possible work shadowing or information interview opportunities.
  6. Source and approach organisations directly for paid work opportunities.
  7. Consider volunteering.

Note: Gaining experience may be important but not at the expense of your studies. Make sure you do not overload your timetable with unrealistic work commitments.

 

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Sample Employers

Community Welfare and Human Services graduates find employment opportunities in a wide variety of industries in small, medium or large organisations. Below is an example of some of the large and smaller organisations that recruit this major.  

Recruitment Timing

Some large organisations have specific graduate recruitment programs designed to employ the pick of graduates each year. You must be in your final year of study or recently completed to apply for these programs. The timing of these recruitment drives varies and may occur at any point in the academic year, in some cases starting as early as the first few weeks of the first semester or trimester.

Find out if employers in your area/s of interest have graduate programs, when they typically recruit and what recruitment methods they use. Check with the Careers Service .

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Societies and Associations

Associations and societies often provide relevant and up to date information about a variety of issues relating to specific industry sectors. These can be a good starting point to learn more about occupations through profiles, industry news, links to academic journals and information on research developments. Many also offer student membership, conference and professional development activities, newsletters and the opportunity to participate in projects.

Below are links to a variety of Community Welfare and Social Services related societies and associations that you might find interesting.

 


Don’t overlook student societies and associations. As well as student chapters of professional associations, some faculties or schools have discipline based student associations. Check your school or faculty web site; perhaps you might start one if one doesn’t exist.

Some academic disciplines run Seminar Programs that involve regular seminars presented by University of Newcastle academics, visiting academics and postgraduate students. Check your schools website for the timetable.

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Job Search Sites

Searching job sites is a good way to gain an understanding of: industries recruiting professionals in this field; types of roles and the requirements or expectations of employers for these roles. There are many online job search sites, here are a few to start with:

Australian and International

  • CareerHub: the University of Newcastle Careers Service careers and job search site for enrolled students and graduates.

Australian

  • CareerOne: Australia wide job listings, all levels and industries including executive positions
  • MyCareer: Australian and international listings
  • Seek: comprehensive Australian job listings, also includes New Zealand and UK listings
  • The Big Chair: Management and Executive Jobs

International

Graduate Attributes and Employability

Graduate attributes for the Bachelor of Social Science are the skills, abilities and knowledge that are highly sought after by a broad range of employers. Below is the complete list of attributes that graduates will have demonstrated upon the completion of the degree.

Graduate Attributes

Upon completion of the degree, graduates can expect to have:

  1. Advanced social research skills: In-depth knowledge and skills in the design and conduct of social research, including the capacity to collect, organize, critically assess, and present information in written and oral forms.
  2. Specialist Social Science knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of one or more specialist areas in the Social Sciences.
  3. Critical thought and informed decision-making: The ability to structure and present logical arguments, critically analyse material and opinions, and make informed decisions.
  4. Effective management and teamwork skills: The ability to work autonomously and collaboratively, including effective leadership skills, teamwork, organisational and program management capabilities.
  5. High-level communication, interpersonal and presentation skills: Advanced level of written, oral, and interpersonal skills, including the effective use of information and communication technologies.
  6. Ethical and socio-cultural sensitivity: An understanding of ethical issues, standards, and public responsibility in relation to professional practice. An appreciation of cultural diversity and sensitivity towards vulnerable and Indigenous groups.

You will recognise these attributes in the selection criteria listed in the following job ads.

Sample Job Ads & Tips

Job ads provide useful information about the job and the required skills, experience and qualifications. Information like this is useful in career planning. Below is a small sample of job ads with tips on planning and job applications; explore further to gather more useful information for your planning.

Please note, the job ads listed on this page are not current and were sourced from a variety of websites in 2010.

 

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