Family Life Education
Improve the quality of life for children, adults, couples, and families. Family life educators empower family members by providing educational, preventative, and enrichment services in the community.
- Family life educator
- Coordinator for public policy issues
- Parent educator
- Teen counselor
- Research facilitator
- Bereavement counselor
- Military family consultant
- Curriculum developer or evaluator
- Social worker (requires a graduate degree)
- Immigrant and refugee family services
- Community outreach coordinator
- Family advocate
- Family case worker
- Occupational therapist (requires a graduate degree)
- Social services worker (WIC office, Community Health Office)
- Marriage educator
- Marriage and family therapy (requires a graduate degree)
- Local, state, and federal government agencies
- Community organizations
- Private businesses
- Faith-based organizations
- Social service agencies
- Healthcare organizations
- Child and family counseling centers
Outlook
Professionals working with families fall into a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) category that's poised for faster than average job growth (8%) in the next ten years.
Pay
Median annual wages
- Social and Community Service Assistants: $51,660 CA, $41,410 US
- Social and Community Service Managers: $89,480 CA, $77,030 US
- Marriage and Family Therapist (graduate school/Master’s degree required): $69,780, $58,510
- Salary can range across private, public and nonprofit sectors
- Salary is often based on education and experience
Interpersonal skills
Family life educators enjoy working with children and families. They must possess strong people skills to develop good relationships with families and colleagues.
Service orientation
Family life educators strive to strengthen the interpersonal relationships of families and enhance well-being.
Compassion
Family life educators frequently work with couples and families who are in stressful situations. They must have empathy to develop strong relationships with their clients.
Communication skills
Family life educators must be able to communicate clearly with couples and families. They need strong oral communication and listening skills to address family issues.
Instructional skills
Family life educators should be able to explain things to people from a variety of different backgrounds.
Strengths-Based Approach
Family life educators focus on family strengths while they equip family members with skills for healthy family functioning.
Family Diversity
Family life educators support individuals, couples, and families from various cultural, religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
