chld@csuchico.edu
Modoc 216
530-898-5250

Regular Hours
Monday–Friday
8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Modoc 216
California State University, Chico
400 W. First St.
Chico, CA 95929–0220

What Can I Do With This Degree?

General Information
Pre-school/Child Care
Education
Community Services
Social Services
Medical
Government
Communications
Business

General Information

Bachelor's degree is sufficient for entry-level positions.

Advanced degrees are essential for clinical and therapeutic counseling positions.

Master's degree or PhD is often needed for administrative and supervisory positions.

PhD is required for college teaching and advanced research positions.

Additional or specialized training qualifies one for higher paying and positions of greater responsibility.

Obtain part-time summer, internship, or volunteer experience in child care, schools, hospitals, camps, or overseas programs or in advocacy or service-oriented programs dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse, family violence, aging, poor, or disabled populations.

Obtain certification in CPR, safety, and first aid for adults, children, and infants.

Develop interest and gain experience in computers, arts, crafts, music, or physical activity.

Obtain certification for specialized areas including Child Life Specialist or Child Advocacy. Visit www.childlife.org for more information.

Pre-school/Child Care

List of all Places you will be able to go with a major in Child Development in the field of Child Care
Careers	Employers	Strategies
Teaching Administration	Religious organizations Private homes Extended school programs Head Start Family day care Preschool Montessori Schools Private, public franchise, and corp. day care centers	Develop physical stamina for working with children. Acquire appropriate certification for licensure for day care and public school teaching. Obtain experience working with children through volunteering or part-time jobs. Demonstrate patience with children and the ability to work well with people of various backgrounds. Develop strong communications skills to deal effectively with parents.

Education

List of all Places you will be able to go with a major in Child Development in the field of Education
Careers	Employers	Strategies
Early Childhood Ed. Early Childhood Spec. Educ. Teaching Family and Consumer Sci. Research Curriculum Development Administration Univ. Studt. Affairs Counsel. Parent-Child Education	Public and private schools (K-12) Public preschool programs (e.g., Head Start) Private preschool programs Montessori schools Adult education programs Colleges and universities Programs servicing children & adults with special needs	Acquire appropriate certification for public school teaching. Obtain PhD for college and university teaching and research opportunities. Acquire certification for day care and parent-child education. Obtain graduate degree for counseling, student affairs, and administrative positions. Find part-time or summer jobs working with children. Serve as a tutor, peer mentor, resident assistant or student advisor.

Community Services

List of all Places you will be able to go with a major in Child Development in the field of Community Services
Careers	Employers	Strategies
Administration Programming Development Research Evaluation	Community centers YMCA or YWCA Rehabilitation organizations Hospitals Adult day care providers Adoption agencies Summer camp programs Religious orgs. Consumer protection agencies	Learn to work well with all types of people through volunteer or paid positions. Seek related work experience, particularly summer camps or special needs areas. Obtain Child Life Certification for some areas. Develop strong presentation and public speaking skills. Be willing to wear multiple hats within an organization. Learn how to write grants. Develop research and writing skills.

Social Services

List of all Places you will be able to go with a major in Child Development in the field of Social Services
Careers	Employers	Strategies
Case Management Counseling Administration	Profit and nonprofit organizations focused on children, youth, families, or senior citizens Adult and child day care providers Group homes Treatment Facilities Youth services agencies Senior citizens' programs Foundations and funding organizations	Supplement curriculum with courses in social work, sociology, or psychology. Obtain a master's degree and appropriate licensure in mental health counseling, social work, or rehabilitation counseling to provide therapy. Earn a graduate degree to obtain most administrative positions. Gain experience through volunteer positions or internships.

Medical

List of all Places you will be able to go with a major in Child Development in the field of Medicine
Careers	Employers	Strategies
Child Care Programs Education Child Life Specialist Occupational Therapist	Hospitals Healthcare facilities Hospices Health and wellness agencies	Earn a master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related areas for the most opportunities. Obtain experience in advocacy. Acquire licensing or certification for some areas. Volunteer in a healthcare setting

Government

List of all Places you will be able to go with a major in Child Development in the field of Government
Careers	Employers	Strategies
Social Services Rehabilitation Program Coordination Research Program Evaluation Legislation Advocacy	Federal, state and local government agencies (i.e., Departments of Health, Education and Welfare; Criminal Justice; Sanitation; Fire and Safety; Nutrition; and Cooperative Extension) Vocational rehabilitation Mental health agencies Military child care programs Overseas child care and education programs Health and wellness agencies Women's protective agencies	Take additional courses in area of interest. Develop strong presentation and public speaking skills. Obtain specialized training for opportunities in protective services or law enforcement. Complete an internship with a government organization. Learn federal, state, and local job application procedures.

Communications

List of all Places you will be able to go with a major in Child Development in the field of Communications
Careers	Employers	Strategies
Journalism Public Relations Research Writing Editing	Organizations geared toward children and family including; book publishers, professional associations, radio and TV stations, nonprofit organizations, manufacturers, newspapers, and magazines.	Minor or double major in a communications field. Develop excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Submit articles or books for publication. Work for campus publications or radio stations. Complete internships with related organizations.

Business

List of all Places you will be able to go with a major in Child Development in the field of Business
Careers	Employers	Strategies
Management Sales Customer Service	Manufacturing companies of children's clothes, toys, furniture, and food. Department and retail stores Service organizations	Minor in business; develop skills in areas such as management, marketing or sales. Secure leadership positions on campus. Get related experience through internships or part-time jobs. Build computer skills in word processing, database management, and spreadsheet programs.