Why Are Interpersonal Communication Skills Important in the Human Services Field?

Human services professionals need to be compassionate, conscientious, and critical thinkers, but you might not think about the importance of interpersonal communication skills for human services professionals. However, communication skills are crucial for success in the human services field. That’s why Grace College’s online bachelor’s degree in human services has a course on Interpersonal Communication and Interviewing Skills. Read on to learn about this course and find out why interpersonal communication is important for human services!

What do students learn in the Interpersonal Communication and Interviewing Skills course?

As its name suggests, this course will help you improve your verbal and nonverbal communication skills to help you better relate to and assist clients as a human services professional. This course will teach you best practices for interacting with clients, whether you communicate with them in person, through email, or through an interview.

Brandy Reincke, the instructor of the online course at Grace, adds, “In this course, students learn the best interviewing practices, active listening skills, emotional intelligence, conflict management, personal communication styles, and different types of interviews that are specific to human services careers.”

What types of assignments or projects do students complete in this course?

Assignments and projects for Interpersonal Communication and Interviewing Skills in Human Services will help you learn, retain, and apply the information taught in this course. Each week you will complete textbook readings, reading comprehension questions, and activities based on the content. You will also engage in discussions with your classmates about course content. 

Throughout the course, you will have opportunities to reflect on your current and future career goals to help you determine how you can apply the skills you learn. In addition, you will complete assessments to gauge your understanding of communication styles and proper communication practices. Finally, you will end the course with a final project that entails conducting a mock interview.

Throughout the course, Reincke will walk alongside you to ensure you comprehend the course content. “I try to make sure that students understand the pragmatic and relative value of the material to their current and potential careers,” shares Reincke. “This course is relative and is structured for students to learn important interpersonal skills that pertain to the human services field. I include detailed feedback with assignments to ensure student comprehension.”

Why is interpersonal communication important in the human services field?

Human services professionals interact with people regularly by advocating for their clients’ needs, writing outreach and implementation strategies, and establishing and maintaining relationships with clients. Developing strong interpersonal skills is therefore essential to success in human services.

Reincke explains, “It is not enough to simply express ourselves; we also have to understand others and how to effectively communicate to reach our goals. Those working in the human services field must have the skills to relate to individuals and build trust. The goal is to be a competent, skilled communicator who demonstrates the professionalism necessary to understand, empathize with, and/or intervene with a client.”

Why are interviewing skills important for human services?

Interviewing skills are also essential to conversing with clients. “Interviewing is the mode of communication used most often in this field between the professional and the client,” shares Reincke. “It is important to know procedures and institutional guidelines in this industry. However, the way that professionals relate to the client can determine successful outcomes with the clients.” Ultimately, practicing good interviewing skills will help you determine your clients’ needs and how you can meet them.

Whether you become a case manager, community health worker, or rehabilitation counselor, human services is all about helping people improve their lives. Because human services focus on communicating with others to meet their needs, intentionally developing interpersonal communication skills is imperative for those in the field. 

“It is important to be able to foster trusting relationships with clients to be a human services professional. You have to have the knowledge and skill set to communicate effectively with the client,” says Reincke.

If you dream of helping people improve their lives through human services, read about how you can use your bachelor’s degree in human services and learn about Grace College Online.