To work as a social and community service manager, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree; and
• have one to five years of related work experience.

Education after high school

Most social and community service managers have a bachelor's degree or higher. Common fields of study are counseling, social work, education, and management. Many managers have a college degree in the area in which they provided service before becoming managers. For example, the manager of a mental health center might have a master's degree in counseling.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's and master's degree programs in service fields, such as counseling and social work.

Work experience

Social and community services managers often have experience as social service workers. Many managers work first as welfare workers, social workers, counselors, or assistant managers before becoming managers.

On-the-job training

You should consider participating in an internship while in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

Some agencies have in-house training programs. They may also pay for college courses you take to improve your skills.