Community/youth studies : Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Community development worker - aims to empower communities by developing the skills required to regain control over and improve quality of life. Work takes place in communities often perceived to be disadvantaged, for example because of age, race, ability, economic circumstances, or location.
• Youth worker - provides opportunities for the personal and social development of young people aged between 11 and 25 (though more usually between 13 and 19). Programmes aim to redress inequalities and empower individuals to take action on issues affecting their lives; from health, education, unemployment and the environment.
• Community education officer - works to promote and facilitate access to a wide range of voluntary educational activities by all members of the community, regardless of age. The work involves: liaising with local groups to identify community interests and needs; planning programmes to meet these needs by cooperating with other adult education providers; and encouraging participation.
• Careers adviser/personal adviser - provides information, advice and guidance to young people aged 13-19 in England in secondary schools and sixth form colleges.
• Advice worker - responds to requests for help from members of the public and assists clients by providing information and confidential advice on a wide range of issues.
• Equality and diversity officer - works towards the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equality in relation to employment, housing, education and social welfare. Other job titles, such as diversity officer or equalities officer, are now more commonly used by large public sector organisations.

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Health promotion specialist - works in a specific setting such as in a school, or with specific issues such as teenage pregnancy, tobacco control or drugs.
• Social worker - specialises in young people or ‘looked after’ children, for example. Experience (voluntary or paid) of work with vulnerable people is usually required for social work training courses.
• Learning mentor - works with a range of pupils in schools. Issues explored include punctuality, absence, bullying, behaviour and abuse and working with gifted pupils experiencing difficulties.
• Secondary school teacher - possible if your degree also includes about 50% of the subject you want to teach or subjects related to citizenship. Responsibility for pastoral care of pupils is common after some experience. 

Other options

Get involved in your local community and build up some work experience. Contact your local youth service (local authority in Scotland) or voluntary bodies to arrange voluntary or part-time sessional work. See the Volunteering England  website for details of volunteer bureaux in your area, or visit Volunteer Scotland , Volunteering Wales or Volunteer Development Agency .

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.

Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.