Students explore career options in health, human services
Oct. 6, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University students interested in nursing, occupational therapy, social work and a wide range of similar fields are invited to explore their options at an academic information fair Wednesday, October 9, offered by WMU's College of Health and Human Services.
The event is geared especially to WMU students, but area high school students interested in health and human services careers are welcome to attend. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rooms 105-107 of the Bernhard Center, professionals and faculty from the college will answer students' questions, discuss their fields, and distribute general information about college majors.
Students often are interested in helping others, but are not sure what careers will allow them to do this, says Melinda Lockett, an academic advisor in the college. The information fair will tell students about 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, 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 and blindness and low vision studies 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.
For more information, call the college office at (269) 387-2656.
Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu