Many careers provide the opportunity to make a lasting impact on young people’s lives. Such rewarding careers focus on childhood growth, behavior and education in work settings such as childcare centers, schools, community service centers, and healthcare organizations and clinics. 

Individuals interested in working with children can explore child development career descriptions, including the job duties, work settings and educational requirements. Such careers often require a bachelor’s degree in child development, family studies or a related field. 

Why Pursue a Career in Child Development?

Having a career in child development is not just about doing a job — it’s a chance to shape the future. Here are some compelling reasons to enter this growing field: 

• High demand: The work performed by people doing child-focused jobs, including in teaching, child care management and family services, is essential in society. 

• Meaningful work: Professionals in child development help children build strong emotional, cognitive and social foundations. 

• Career versatility: Child development professionals work in education, healthcare, social services, nonprofit organizations and private businesses. 

• Job stability: As families and communities prioritize early childhood education and family support services, the job market for these positions remains strong. 

4 Child Development Careers

Many graduates of family studies, child development and related programs choose to take on educational roles, but there are other career paths that can be pursued as well. Consider these four rewarding child development career options. 

1. Child Life Specialist

A child life specialist is a trained professional who helps children and families cope with the challenges of hospitalization, illness and medical treatments. They work in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings such as rehabilitation centers and hospice facilities to provide children with emotional support, education and therapeutic play activities to help them understand and manage their medical experiences.  

Key responsibilities: 

• Providing emotional and psychological support: Helping children and their families navigate the emotional stresses related to medical conditions, surgeries and treatments 

• Developing age-appropriate coping strategies: Using play, music, storytelling and other forms of therapy to help children express their emotions and fears 

• Educating children on medical procedures: Explaining medical treatments, surgeries and hospital stays to children in simple, nonthreatening ways to help reduce their anxiety 

• Collaborating with healthcare teams: Working alongside doctors, nurses and social workers to advocate for the emotional well-being of children 

• Supporting families: Helping the children’s parents and siblings understand their medical conditions and providing them with the resources they need 

Education, licensure/certification and experience requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in child development, psychology, human development or a related field 
• Certified child life specialist (CCLS) credential, which requires:
  • Completion of a child life internship (600 clinical hours) 
  • Passing the Child Life Certification Exam, administered by the Association of Child Life Professionals 

2. Adoption Counselor

An adoption counselor is a professional who provides guidance, support and resources to birth parents, adoptive parents and children throughout the adoption process. They work to ensure that the adoption experience is ethical, informed and emotionally supportive for all parties involved. Work settings include public and private adoption agencies, child welfare organizations, social services agencies and family counseling centers. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Supporting birth parents: Providing counseling to biological parents considering adoption, ensuring they understand their rights and options 

• Assessing adoptive parents: Conducting home studies and background checks to evaluate whether adoptive families are prepared for parenthood 

• Matching children with families: Working with adoption agencies to find the best possible match between children and adoptive parents 

• Providing emotional support: Offering counseling to children and parents before and after adoptions to help them adjust 

• Navigating legal processes: Assisting with the legal and administrative requirements of adoption, including the paperwork and compliance with state laws 

Education, licensure/certification and experience requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling or child and family studies 

• For some positions, a master’s degree in social work or counseling 

• In some states, licensure (licensed social worker or licensed counselor) 

• Experience in child welfare, social work or adoption services often preferred 

3. Early Childhood Interventionist (ECI)

An early childhood interventionist (ECI) is a specialized professional who works with infants, toddlers and young children (typically from birth to age 5) with developmental delays, disabilities or other special needs. They provide therapeutic and educational support to children to help them reach important developmental milestones and improve their cognitive, motor, social and communication skills. 

These professionals often work for early intervention programs (state-funded services for children with developmental delays), public and private schools, nonprofit organizations and healthcare organizations. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Assessing developmental delays: Evaluating children for speech, motor, cognitive, emotional or behavioral challenges 

• Creating individualized plans: Developing individualized family service plans (IFSPs) or individualized education programs (IEPs) tailored to children’s unique needs 

• Providing direct interventions: Using play-based learning, therapy and structured activities to help children improve their motor skills, language development and social interaction 

• Supporting families: Educating and guiding parents on how to support their child’s development at home 

• Collaborating with other specialists: Working with speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and special education teachers to provide comprehensive care to children 

Education, licensure/certification and experience requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, special education or a related field 

• For some roles, a master’s in special education, speech therapy or occupational therapy 

• In some states, certification or licensure 

• Experience in early childhood education, social work or pediatric therapy beneficial 

4. Community Service Specialist

A community service specialist is a professional who connects individuals, families and communities with social services, resources and programs that improve their well-being. They typically work for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, social service programs and community outreach initiatives to support people in need, including children, families, the elderly and underserved populations. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Assessing clients’ needs: Evaluating individuals or families to determine the type of assistance or services they require 

• Connecting clients to resources: Helping people access housing, healthcare, food assistance, job training, childcare or mental health services 

• Advocating for clients: Working with government agencies, schools and other organizations to ensure clients receive the necessary support 

• Developing and implementing community programs: Organizing outreach programs, workshops and community events to support the well-being of people in the community 

Education, licensure/certification and experience requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, child and family studies, or a related field 

• Experience in case management, social work or community outreach often preferred 

Start Your Child Development Career With a Degree in Child Development or Family Studies

Are you ready to explore child development careers in greater depth? SEMO Online’s Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies program features concentrations in Child Development and Family Studies that help students develop the skills they need to succeed in adolescent and family service roles.  

Guided by experienced educators and industry professionals, SEMO Online’s programs give students the flexibility to complete their education while working or handling whatever other responsibilities they have. SEMO Online also offers an Associate of Arts in Child Care and Guidance program that can stack toward the bachelor’s in child development degree. 

Launch your career in child development with SEMO Online.