How to Find Field Opportunities

Your BB H course work, combined with paid or volunteer work experiences which are relevant to your career goals, should qualify you for a variety of interesting and satisfying career opportunities after graduation. The BB H faculty have set a core curriculum for all BB H majors and have provided students with some flexibility to select additional courses to enhance classroom learning. Nevertheless, practical, hands-on experiences outside the classroom are also essential to career preparation. This sheet is intended to be a guide to get you started to find field opportunities related to BB H. In addition to the benefit that the experience itself will provide, students will also benefit from interacting with professionals who will then be in an excellent position to write a meaningful letter of recommendation for you.

Career Services

Penn State's Career Services (formerly CDPS) is an excellent place to start for help to learn how to search for field experiences. It is never too early in a student's life to go to the 4th floor of Boucke to see all of the facilities they offer. You can meet with an intake counselor any time between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. weekdays in 412 Boucke Building to discuss your needs or to schedule an appointment with a counselor. You can visit their web site anytime at http://www.sa.psu.edu/career/

The Office of Student Affairs

The Office of Student Affairs at the University Health Services (Ritenour) offers a number of excellent opportunities for you to become involved in programs that are related to health promotion. Students who participate in these programs report that they enhance their communication skills, learn about current health issues, gain experience in college health, serve fellow students, develop leadership skills, enrich their Penn State experience, and build friendships that will last a lifetime. Example programs include:

You can learn more about theses programs at: www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/servicelearning.htm

Student Organization Involvement

Involvement in student organizations that relate to your professional interests can be a good way to develop skills and personal character-istics valued by employers. Two health-related organizations are HealthWorks and the Student Health Advisory Board. HealthWorks educators are student volunteers who are trained to educate Penn State students about healthy decisions and behaviors in the areas of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs, Nutrition, Sexual Health, and Wellness. For more information call 863-2500. Student Health Advisory Board (SHAB) is involved with the publicity of health services available to students at University Park. For more information call 865-6555 and ask for the SHAB advisor. The web site for both of these is http://www.psu.edu/UHS/organiz.html

Volunteer Positions

Valuable professionally-relevant experience can be obtained in a voluntary activity. The AT&T Center for Service Leadership was founded to provide out of class opportunities in leadership development and volunteer activities for Penn State students. Lion's Share is the division which helps to match students with community volunteer opportunities, some of which are with health-related organizations. For more information visit 101C HUB or http://cac.psu.edu/~kjh164/volunteer.html#activities

Independent Study

A BB H faculty member might be willing to sponsor you for an independent study in which you receive academic credit. The University specifies that 45 hours per semester is required to receive 1 academic credit. To find a sponsor for an independent study, read about the interests of the faculty, make an appointment with the appropriate faculty member, and discuss your ideas. If the faculty member agrees to sponsor you, the two of you write a contract which specifies what must be done to receive credit for the project. Then complete and sign the form for independent study (available from Kathy Barefoot in 302 HHD East), and take the form to Kathy to process the addition of BB H 296 or 496 to your schedule.

Externships

Penn State Externships provide a five-day observation-oriented experience in an employment setting related to your career and educational goals. Many of the experiences include observation of or participation in daily operations of the organization. Typically, as an extern, you would shadow a Penn State alumni sponsor engaged in a career related to your interests. The extern experiences are for a one-week period over one of the semester breaks or spring break. If the pre-arranged sites appropriate for BB H majors are not in a location or do not otherwise meet your needs, the counselors at CDPS will help you arrange a more suitable externship if you give them enough lead time.

Summer field experience (Job / Internship)

Summer employment that provides pay as well as professionally relevant experience provides many of the same benefits as an internship. Other summer or part-time jobs may not provide professional experience but may be beneficial in providing 'non-professional experience' in an organization related to academic or career plans. An example would be a BB H major doing office work in a health-care facility. Internships are intended to provide professional experience and learning opportunities related to your major and/or career plans. Internships may or may not be for pay. Currently BB H does not have a formalized internship process in place. Each semester CDPS presents a program on Internship & Summer Job Search at 7 PM in the HUB Fishbowl; in 1997-98 the programs were November 4 and February 3. A handout on the same topic is available in the CDPS office. On April 2, 1998 the PA Career Day at the BJC provides an opportunity to meet with many state employers; you may ask them if they have field experience opportunities. At any time you can contact organizations that might hire BB H grads and inquire if they have any opportunities. CDPS has described many useful job searching strategies on their web site beginning with http://www.career.sa.psu.edu There is a binder in 302 HHD East in which field experience leads are being collected.

Opportunities for field experiences and jobs of interest to BB H students are increasingly posted on the internet. The URLs often change, but this list may get you started.

Don't forget that there are resources for your use in the Undergraduate Office (302 HHD East). For example, Career Opportunities in Health Care, Externship Sites for 1997-98 (from CDPS), Shadowing the Health Care Professional, a flyer for students to get the most out of the experience, and the binder with BB H field experience leads are on the table in that office.

Take advantage of all your networking opportunities. In addition to making contacts through friends, family, current/former employers, classmates, and faculty members, there are many other networking avenues you can pursue. You may learn about opportunities through newspapers, newsletters, job fairs, hometown contacts, professional associations, student organizations, trade magazines, community service/volunteer groups, and many more.

While there is a great deal of information available, you must be persistent in your search. Have a plan that includes a great resume and cover letter, appropriate follow-through, and good record keeping. Be prepared, open-minded, flexible, and professional. It's up to you to make all your contacts count!