While roles like family services advocate, youth program coordinator, and childcare worker are more common in the marriage and family science field, there are more unique jobs that might be a better fit for you. This article will go over some of those unique opportunities and what each job involves.
Human Resources Assistant
Human resources is a branch of a business that is there to support and work with employees. Think of it as the connection between the business and the people who work for it. They handle hiring, payroll, training, and fielding employee questions or complaints. A human resources assistant supports fellow HR workers in these tasks. This could look like:
- Maintaining records
- Contacting employees
- Helping with employee onboarding
- Processing the payroll
Human resource assistants often work with people, so those who have good interpersonal skills excel at this role.
Corporate Wellness Coordinator
Corporate wellness coordinators work for businesses to design wellness programs for their employees. These programs are based on employee health data, allowing the coordinator to tailor activities to specific trends seen in the data. Activities can include promoting both mental and physical health, including:
- Coordinating health screenings
- Giving workshops on mental health resources
- Hosting fitness classes and competitions
- Working with external vendors
Family Financial Counselor
Family financial counselors help guide and inform their customers about financial decision-making. A large part of this job is knowing the ins and outs of people's finances, including their assets, tax information, and liabilities. Because of this, financial counselors need to develop competence in accounting, as well as in privacy and discretion. Day-to-day tasks might include:
- Learning about a client’s financial goals
- Educating clients on the potential risks and benefits of certain plans
- Monitoring a client’s account to determine if any changes are needed
- Researching investments
This profession helps families make wise financial decisions and plan for the future.
Addiction Counselor
Addiction counselors (sometimes called substance abuse counselors) provide guidance to people struggling with addictions such as alcoholism. They can act as a support system to provide education, counseling, and encouragement for both individuals and groups, as well as intervening if someone might be a danger to themselves or others. An addiction counselor will:
- Assess the mental and physical health of their clients
- Create a treatment plan
- Help clients learn recovery skills and behaviors
- Refer clients to other resources and services
Addiction counselors understand the underlying causes of addiction and are equipped with tools to tailor a recovery plan for each person.
Victim Advocate
Victim advocates work with victims of crime, providing a support system that can provide insights into the criminal justice system and offer pathways and resources to cope with traumatic experiences. These professionals can work in a variety of different situations, including with survivors of trafficking, domestic abuse, natural disasters, and other crimes. Responsibilities often include:
- Informing victims of their legal rights and options
- Helping fill out any needed forms
- Accompanying victims and families through any criminal proceedings
- Being an emotional support system
Victim advocates can work in trauma centers, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and more. They are a vital part of ensuring victims are safe and protected during some of the hardest moments in their lives.
Conclusion
Each role is an opportunity to work with those who might need support, direction, and guidance, while building up individuals and communities for the better. These positions offer unique ways to hone your talents in family studies and might help you find the best career path for you.
Citations
Cleveland Clinic. 2023. “Substance Abuse Counselor.” Health Library. Reviewed June 22, 2023.
Concordia University, St. Paul. 2021. “How to Become a Corporate Wellness Coordinator.” Online Career Guide.
Coursera. 2023. “What Is HR? Human Resources Definition and Careers.” Coursera Articles. Updated June 15, 2023.
Franklin University. n.d. “What Do Financial Counselors Do?” Franklin Career Guide. Accessed October 29, 2026.
Hinge Health. n.d. “Corporate Wellness Resources and Articles.” Accessed October 29, 2026.
Indeed Editorial Team. 2026. “HR Assistant Job Description.” Indeed Hire. Accessed October 29, 2026.
National Association of Social Workers. n.d. “Victim Advocate.” NASW Career Center. Accessed October 29, 2026.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2024a. “Personal Financial Advisors: What They Do.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Department of Labor.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2024b. “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: What They Do.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Department of Labor.
Victim Support Services. n.d. “What Is a Victim Advocate?” Help for Victims. Accessed October 29, 2026.