Fair spotlights opportunities in health, human services
Feb. 15, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- People interested in nursing, occupational therapy, social work and a wide range of similar fields are invited to explore their options at a recruitment fair Wednesday, Feb. 27, offered by the College of Health and Human Services at Western Michigan University.
This is the first recruitment fair the college has offered. It is geared especially to WMU students, but members of the community, including high school students interested in health and human service careers, are welcome to attend. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the West Ballroom of the Bernhard Center.
"Many students express an interest in helping others, but they're not sure which careers will allow them to do this," says Melinda Lockett, a student development specialist in the college. "This will give them some options that are available to them in health and human services."
Students often are surprised to find out what opportunities are open to them, Lockett notes. For example, people usually associate social work primarily with working in the welfare system, but Lockett says social workers can be found in schools, courts, hospitals, corporate arenas and elsewhere.
In addition to social work, nursing and occupational therapy, information will be available on other undergraduate degree programs, including speech pathology and audiology and travel instruction. Information on undergraduate minors, including gerontology, social work, speech and hearing and substance abuse services, also will be offered. Opportunities in a new interdisciplinary health services program that fosters careers in such fields as physician assistant, blind rehabilitation and occupational therapy also will be explored.
Lockett says job prospects in the health and human services are good and extend beyond the well-publicized demand for nurses.
"Everyone knows there's a shortage of nurses," Lockett says. "But there are excellent job opportunities in other health and human service fields as well."
For more information, call the college office at (269) 387-2656.
Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu