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What does a Youth Specialist do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 4 min read

A youth specialist is a professional who works with young people to help them overcome challenges and develop positive life skills. Youth specialists may work in schools, community centers, or other settings. They may provide individual counseling, lead group activities, or teach classes. Their goal is to help young people grow and thrive.

Youth Specialist job duties include:

  • Organize and implement educational and recreational programs for youth
  • Develop and monitor individual service plans for youth
  • Advocate on behalf of youth and their families
  • Collaborate with community partners to connect youth to needed resources
  • Provide crisis intervention services as needed
  • Conduct home visits to assess family functioning and identify risk factors
  • Participate in weekly team meetings to discuss cases and develop treatment plans
  • Keep detailed records of client interactions and progress
  • Attend trainings to keep up-to-date on best practices in the field
  • Supervise interns or other staff members as needed

Youth Specialist Job Requirements

Working with youth can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it requires a great deal of patience, understanding, and skill. Most youth specialists have at least a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or a related field. Many states also require youth specialists to be certified in child and adolescent mental health. In addition to formal education and training, most youth specialists have several years of experience working with young people in a variety of settings.

Youth Specialist Skills

  • Communication
  • Patience
  • Active Listening
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Creativity
  • Flexibility
  • Organization
  • Time Management
  • Stress Management
  • Motivational Speaking

Related: Top Youth Specialist Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Youth Specialist

A youth specialist is a professional who works with young people to help them overcome challenges and reach their full potential. There are many different types of youth specialists, including counselors, social workers, and psychologists. To become a youth specialist, you will need to have a passion for working with young people and a desire to help them succeed. You will also need to have the necessary education and training.

If you are interested in becoming a youth specialist, the first step is to research the different types of positions available. Once you have an idea of the type of position you would like to pursue, you can begin the process of obtaining the necessary education and training. Many youth specialists have a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field. However, some positions may require a master's degree or higher. In addition to formal education, most youth specialists also have experience working with young people in some capacity. This could include volunteering, working as a camp counselor, or teaching in an after-school program.

Once you have the necessary education and experience, the next step is to obtain certification from a professional organization such as the National Board for Certified Counselors. This certification will show that you have the skills and knowledge needed to work as a youth specialist. Finally, it is important to stay up-to-date on trends and issues affecting young people. This can be done by reading professional journals, attending conferences, and networking with other professionals who work with youth.

Related: Youth Specialist Resume Example

Related: Youth Specialist Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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