In Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of your textbook you were introduced to career path options and skills needed to be a human service professional. You examined your own beliefs and values about the human service profession, and read about how your personal journey and your reasons for entering the human service profession can impact your work within the field. For this discussion you will be challenged to examine your reasons for choosing to become a human service professional.

Use the Internet and the Library to conduct some research on career specific practices, specialty areas and professional organizations in the human service profession. Review your readings as well and then respond to the following questions:

• Discuss your reasons for choosing the human service field as your future profession.
• What are the skills needed to become an effective human service professional?
• Illustrate how your personal characteristics, beliefs, and values support your future success in the human service field.
• Describe how self-exploration can help identify your strengths and any possible limitations you may have in the human service field.
• Please read Chapters 1 and 2 in your textbook, Becoming a Helper. Chapter 1 will provide you with an overview of specific fields of human service practices. These career practices include assisting couples, individuals, families, and communities. Chapter 2 explores the human service professional as an individual, utilizing self-exploration and understanding of their personal experiences, family of origin, roles and values, while also addressing life transitions.