Kellogg Community College’s Human Services Program is offering multiple sections of the course HUSE 101: Introduction to Human Services this spring semester, starting Jan. 18. Below, Human Services Program Coordinator Wanda Miller, who teaches the course, answers some questions about what students can expect.
Tell us about your class. What is it about and what kinds of topics do you cover?
HUSE 101 is designed to teach the basics of the helping profession. Students learn about the various jobs in Human Services (most are unaware that it is such a broad topic). They learn the different perspectives as well as the many roles in the field. They learn that Human Services takes an interdisciplinary approach in working with clients. They learn the important values that a worker must have when working in this field (such as confidentiality, genuine acceptance, tolerance, etc.).
What do you think is the most interesting aspect of Human Services?
One of the most interesting aspects of Human Services is the wide range of jobs titles, employment opportunities, and the impact that it has on EVERYONE’s life. For instance, law enforcement can benefit from Human Services as well as hairstylists. No profession is off-limits to the basic tenets of Human Services.
What are some unique or interesting assignments offered in the class?
Locating Community Resources in the student’s community that may help clients with various concerns (housing, food, financial, clothing, child care, addictions, domestic violence, the list goes on). Students seem to really enjoy learning about how to conduct a session with clients, practice with their classmates and then have an opportunity to apply the entire process with “real clients” that I bring in.
Who would most benefit from taking the class?
Like I mentioned above, EVERYONE can benefit, especially those looking to work in the helping profession (juvenile detention centers, Department of Human Services, homeless shelters, foster and adoption care, family and children services, school social workers, drug court, family advocate, wraparound, community activist … the list goes on and on and on).
Anything else people should know about the class?
Human Services is the foundation of all other helping professions (social work, psychology, counseling, substance abuse therapist, etc.). Students will learn the basics of Human Services and how to properly work with a diverse population whose background, culture and ethnicity may be different than their own. They will learn how to work with and support individuals who are experiencing many different life situations. This course will provide students with skills that can apply in real-life situations and knowledge they can rely on and pull from in every situation they encounter.
The first Spring 2022 classes start Jan. 18, and the semester ends May 9. For information about signing up for winter/spring classes, visit kellogg.edu/registration. For more information about studying Human Services at KCC, visit kellogg.edu/human-services.