Counseling Careers Without a College Degree

<table border="1"><tr><td> </td><td>Social and Human Services Assistants</td><td>Fitness Trainers and Instructors</td><td>Recreation Workers</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Degree Required</b></td><td>High school diploma or equivalent</td><td>High school diploma or equivalent</td><td>High school diploma or equivalent</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Training Required</b></td><td>Short-term on-the-job training</td><td>Short-term on-the-job training</td><td>Short-term on-the-job training</td></tr> <tr><td><b>License/Certification</b></td><td>None</td><td>Certification preferred</td><td>Certification required</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job growth (2020-2030) </b></td><td>17% (much faster than average)*</td><td>39% (much faster than average)*</td><td>16% (faster than average)*</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$35,960*</td><td>$40,510* </td><td>$28,440*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p><h3 id="section---WhatCounselingCareersCanIHaveWithoutADegree">What Counseling Careers Can I Have Without a Degree?</h3><p>Social and human services assistants provide assistance to community workers, like social workers and psychologists, in identifying client needs, and coordinating and checking in with the clients to make sure they are provided with the appropriate benefits. Fitness trainers and instructors promote physical fitness and motivate individuals to become physically healthy through exercise and proper nutrition. Recreation workers design and promote activities for groups and recreation centers that would help people get active and at the same time have fun. </p><h3 id="section---WhatEducationRequirementsDoINeed">What Education Requirements Do I Need?</h3><p>These careers typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, although some employers prefer to hire those with an associate degree or bachelor's degree. Associate degrees in human services or social science are available for social and human services assistants who want to pursue higher education, while fitness trainers and instructors can get bachelor's degrees related to health and fitness such as physical education or kinesiology. Recreation workers do not need any type of degree. </p><h3 id="section---WhatTrainingShouldIGet">What Training Should I Get?</h3><p>For these careers, graduates are required to have short-term on-the-job training. Training in case management will be beneficial for social and human services assistants to help them respond to different clients and be able to determine which services are appropriate for them. Fitness trainers and instructors will need to be certified and trained by an experienced trainer before working directly with clients. On-the-job training for recreation workers usually takes less than a month and it involves various training depending on the work environment. </p><h3 id="section---DoINeedToGetCertified">Do I Need to Get Certified?</h3><p>Social and human services assistants do not need certifications. Fitness trainers and instructors are required to get a physical fitness certification accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), as well as certification in CPR and AED. There are several certifications for recreation workers accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and recreation workers can earn one or all these certifications depending on their work experience. </p><h3 id="section---WhereCanIWorkAndHowMuchIsTheSalary">Where Can I Work and How Much Is the Salary?</h3><p>Social and human services assistants typically work in offices, hospitals, clinics, or shelters and earned a median of $35,960 per year as of 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Fitness trainers and instructors work in private fitness centers, recreational centers, or clients' homes and earned a median of $40,510 per year. Recreation workers mostly work outdoors in parks, camps, or recreational centers handling special events and earned a median of $28,440 per year.</p>