A bachelor’s degree in youth development may not make you rich, but it can give you a rewarding career helping others, a professor in the program said. 

“If you’re driven by being able to make solid money, which many people are, youth development might not be the best choice. I’ve made a big career out of it, and I don’t have any complaints, but it’s not like going into a business setting,” said Fred Capestany, a professor of Human Services at Highline.

Capestany said students who aren’t only driven by money might consider the program – people who are interested in helping people and enjoy working with young people.

“Folks that have an interest in helping others, that they specifically enjoy young people, especially adolescents, because that’s not for everybody,” he said.

The degree can help you find a good, solid, living wage job, Capestany said. 

“Of course, now with the labor shortage there’s a lot of issues regarding jobs, but in general there are a lot of available jobs for example agencies like Neighborhood House, After School All Stars and local Boys & Girls Club,” said Fred Capestany, professor of Human Services at Highline.

“The good thing is that the job market is really broad since it stretches out from nonprofits to government-funded programs.”

Capestany described what a typical job could look like. 

“You supervise the youth, lead activities, support the youth in their educational journey, help keep them on track, almost like a mentor or adviser,” he said.

As Highline’s enrollment numbers have decreased, so has the number of applications in Youth Development.

“I’m not sure if there is less interest because of COVID-19, but it’s definitely showing in less applications,” Capestany said. 

“The bachelors in applied sciences in Youth Development focuses on teaching people the skills and experiences,” he said. “Anything to be able to go into working with young people.”

To be accepted into this program, you need to complete a regionally accredited associate of applied science degree or higher (or its equivalent), in one of the following areas: chemical dependency, human services, criminal justice, early childhood education, paraeducator, paralegal, or community health and wellness.  Other associate degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

You will also need to provide official transcripts from an accredited college or university and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. To earn the degree, students need 180 credits total, including 60 general education credits; 40 additional program-specific credits; 20 additional coursework credits; and 60 associate degree credits.

Capestany said the program is very flexible and they try their best to accommodate students and their needs.

“Typical students in the Youth Development program are a little bit older, have come back to school after many years, have families, and or are working a part time or full time job while in the program therefore most of these students need more support from the faculty,” he said. “So when we offer classes, we try to make them in the afternoon or online.”

Pamela Denny is a current student in the program and so far, has had a great experience with this program but more specifically with Capestany, her professor.

“During Fall Quarter I experienced a series of unfortunate events. The college was moving from a web-based platform to more in class instruction classes. Some of the Covid restrictions were being lifted so this was a natural course event. However, when I looked at the availability of classes I couldn’t see a way to work and go to school,” she said.

Denny then reached out to Capestany to voice her concerns and he helped her find a solution.

“He heard me. He saw me. He helped me. He reached out to some colleagues. We made a plan and touched base again later when my classes were scheduled,” she said. 

“I did end up finding a new job that pays me $8 more an hour than my previous place of employment, but not because I had to,” Denny said. “I chose to take the position after considering how much I have learned in this program, with these incredible instructors, in this past year.”

She said she would recommend this program to other students because of how much Capestany and other faculty have helped her throughout her journey.

“I believe he genuinely cares about students and what this program provides to our community.

We are the change makers that can provide spaces of grace and growth to children, their families, and our communities,” she said. 

For more information visit https://catalog.highline.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=26&poid=7443&returnto=65 or https://humanservices.highline.edu/degrees/bas-youth-development/

You can also email Teresa Pan at tpan@highline.edu or Fred Capestany at fcapestany@highline.edu