Careers in teaching, community services and government are all possible with a child development degree. Education jobs can be found in day care centers, public and private schools. Nonprofit organizations that focus on children and families also seek individuals with child development backgrounds; community work may involve counseling or case management.
At the government, local, state and federal agencies, such as health departments, utilize the skills learned by child development majors, to do work including program coordination and advocacy for at-risk youth.
Specialized training that supplements the degree, such as experience with arts and crafts or CPR certification, is helpful to candidates as they begin their careers. Specialized training paves the way for promotions to jobs with more responsibility and higher pay.
Entry-level job prospects for those with a child development degree are expected to increase 11 percent through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is largely due to the increased focus on early childhood education programs such as Head Start. However, the BLS notes that opportunities for advancement in the field may be limited.
The kind of work obtained with a childhood development degree varies depending on the level of degree earned. For example, bachelor's degrees qualify the recipient for entry-level positions, while graduate degrees are necessary for those who want to work in an administrative or counseling capacity. To teach or research at the college level, a doctorate is a prerequisite.
In order to work in a day care or public school, childhood development degree holders may need to become certified and licensed per state guidelines. Certification may also be required for specialized positions such as Child Life Specialist or Child Advocate in a community service organization or government agency.