Youth Development

Unique Career Opportunities in Child Development

February 05, 2025

A woman and a child sit at a table facing each other, both making a shushing gesture with their fingers on their lips. The table has colorful items scattered on it.

Child development professionals play a crucial role in enhancing children’s lives by providing essential support and guidance that facilitates growth and learning.

Focusing on physical, emotional and cognitive growth, child development encompasses various aspects such as achieving milestones, behavior management and social interactions. Understanding and promoting healthy development from a young age is essential for children to reach their full potential.

You may be familiar with the role of a child life specialist, a common career in child development. There are several less-known but equally fulfilling career opportunities in child studies. These unique paths allow professionals to impact children’s lives in other ways, showcasing the field’s diverse and rewarding nature.

The Need For and Impact of Child Studies Professionals

Child studies professionals make a significant difference in children’s lives in various ways:

Early childhood/brain development: children in their preschool years benefit when professionals understand and support their learning and development from an early age.
Children’s learning and development: high-quality early childcare and education programs impact children’s learning and development, setting them up for success.
Identifying developmental issues: professionals identify and address developmental issues early, potentially preventing long-term challenges.
Supporting and empowering families: by providing support and resources to families, they are empowered to create nurturing environments for their children.
Promoting emotional growth: developing emotional intelligence and resilience is crucial for children learning to navigate life’s challenges.
Enhancing quality of life: their work aims to improve children’s overall quality of life by promoting health, well-being and happiness.
Staying current on child development research findings: continuous research and learning in the field allows professionals to stay informed on the latest findings and best practices in child development and implement them in their professional settings.
Advocating for child welfare and inclusiveness: child studies professionals advocate for policies prioritizing child welfare, inclusivity and access to opportunities for all children.

Contributing to Pediatric Success: Child Development Job Pathways

Individuals with a background in child studies and youth development have diverse and unique pathways available to them. Post-graduation, career opportunities are endless, allowing professionals to make a meaningful impact in various settings.

Child Development

Child development specialists observe, assess and support children’s holistic development, focusing on understanding and facilitating physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth. Through data-driven assessments and interventions, these professionals are trained to identify developmental milestones, recognize potential challenges and provide support services as needed.

Where do child development specialists work?

Advocacy Organizations	Advocacy organizations promote policies and practices that support children’s well-being and development.
Government and Nonprofit Organizations	Government and nonprofit organizations focused on child and family support offer services and programs to enhance the development, quality of life and general well-being of children and families.
Hospital/Medical Settings	Child life specialists in inpatient and outpatient hospitals and medical settings provide comprehensive care and support for children and families experiencing and coping with medical challenges. Jessika Boles, assistant professor at Peabody College, has conducted and won awards for her research in many areas of child life development in hospital and medical settings, such as examining the value of a certified child life specialist.
Early Childhood Centers	Early childhood centers, including daycare centers, preschools and Head Start programs, create and nurture stimulating environments for young children.
Schools	In elementary through high school, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) roles such as behavior intervention specialists promote positive development and address individual needs.

These settings represent just a few of the many environments where child development specialists apply data-driven solutions to foster healthy growth in children.

Government and Family Services

Professionals within government agencies focused on children’s welfare safeguard children’s rights and promote their well-being within the framework of governmental policies and programs. Individuals in these roles serve as champions for the most vulnerable members of our communities, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Where do government and family services professionals work?

Child Protective Services (CPS)	CPS agencies investigate reports of child abuse and neglect to ensure the safety of children, providing support services to families in crisis.
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)	DCFS professionals in state and county-level agencies oversee and facilitate foster care placements, adoptions and child welfare programs.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)	HHS agencies may have divisions or offices dedicated to child welfare protection, providing services and resources to at-risk children and families.
Social Service Agencies	Local and state social service agencies often have child welfare divisions that work to protect children, support families and ensure child safety.
Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)	CASA programs recruit and train volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system.
Child Advocacy Centers (CAC)	CACs are multidisciplinary facilities where professionals coordinate child abuse investigations and provide services to child victims and their families.

Professionals within these agencies collaborate with stakeholders including law enforcement, healthcare providers, educators and community organizations to safeguard children’s rights, provide support and promote their overall well-being.

Child Advocacy

Child advocates are important in legal and community settings, as well as within other community-based child welfare organizations. They work to ensure that children’s rights are protected and advocate for their best interests in various settings.

What roles do child advocates play in legal and community settings?

Legal Advocacy	Child advocates can serve as legal representatives for children in family court proceedings, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are upheld within the legal system. They work to advocate for fair and just outcomes that prioritize child safety.
Policy Advocacy	Child advocates can influence and shape local, state and national policy to protect children and promote their rights. They may advocate for improved laws, regulations and services that impact children and families.
Community Engagement	Collaboration with community-based organizations and agencies allows child advocates to provide support, resources and services to children and families in need. They raise awareness of various issues affecting children, advocate for improved services and empower families to access support.
Child Empowerment	Child advocates empower children to participate in decisions that affect their lives. They provide a platform for children to express their needs, preferences and concerns and advocate for outcomes that prioritize their best interests.

By working to ensure that children’s voices are heard in policy and family court decisions, child advocates safeguard children’s rights and well-being and promote a more just and equitable society for all.

Behavioral Interventionists

Behavioral interventionists support children with developmental delays or behavioral challenges. They utilize their expertise in behavioral analysis and intervention strategies to help children develop essential skills, manage behaviors and achieve their potential. By implementing evidence-based interventions, these professionals support children’s growth and quality of life.

What settings and populations do behavioral interventionists support?

At-Risk Youth	By providing targeted interventions, behavioral interventionists support those who are at risk of or have experienced developmental delays or behavioral changes. They help these individuals overcome barriers and access necessary resources for their development.
Children with Unique Family Circumstances	Behavioral interventionists may also work with children facing unique familial circumstances such as foster care, trauma or those coming from diverse cultural backgrounds. They tailor their interventions to address specific needs and challenges.
Child Development Centers	Behavioral interventionists may be employed in child development centers, early intervention programs, or special education settings where they individually support children with diverse developmental and behavioral needs.
Autism Centers and Programs	Given the prevalence of autism spectrum conditions and related developmental differences, behavioral interventionists often work in autism centers and programs. They implement specialized interventions to support children on the autism spectrum and their families.
School Settings	Some behavioral interventionists work within school systems to support children with behavioral issues, learning differences or emotional challenges. They collaborate with educators and families to create behavioral support plans and interventions.

Through tailored interventions and support, behavioral interventionists empower children with developmental delays, behavioral challenges or other struggles to thrive and reach their full potential.

Lay the Foundation for Your Career in Child Studies at Peabody College

Vanderbilt University Peabody College of education and human development is dedicated to preparing future professionals to work in the child development field through advocacy work or direct intervention.

The M.Ed. in Child Studies offers an Applied Professional Track with unique program highlights to consider:

Flexibility within the program allows students to meet their unique and individualized goals, providing the freedom to pivot between tracks.
Tailored learning experiences offer pathway options and structure for students.
Research-backed approaches encourage students to rely on data and scientific research to guide their work, ensuring evidence-based practices in child development and advocacy.
Internship opportunities secured by faculty help students develop unique skills and interests that differentiate them from other candidates in future job searches.
Renowned Peabody faculty have published research and share a national reputation for excellence. Learn from distinguished practitioners and award-winning researchers in the field, like Jessika Boles, who serves as the executive director of the Child Life Academic Society and as an ACLP research fellow.
Strong alumni connections provide valuable mentorship opportunities and career support.
Specialization opportunities are available for aspiring child life specialists or applied behavior analysts.

Are you looking for a way to advocate for and support children’s growth and development? Look no further. The child studies field opens doors to various child development careers with impact. Let Peabody College prepare you for what comes next with a well-rounded education, specialized training and valuable child development connections.