Many freshman students start out college undeclared; they aren’t sure what they want to major in and hope to use their first year to find something they want to study. Unfortunately, many students take up to two years to decide on a major; and they may even switch several times up into their junior year. This wastes a lot of time and money, and can significantly delay graduation.
If you have no idea what you want to major in, one option you might consider is taking time off from college. If taking a break isn’t an option for you, research and finding a major you can be passionate about should be your number one priority. The sooner you declare a major you want to stick with, the more you can focus on taking the classes you need to graduate, allowing you to stay on track to graduate on time.
This health education feature is one in a continuing series of “Undeclared” posts. Other majors that have been explored include information technology, counseling, public health, business management, social work, healthcare administration, web development, cyber security and education.
A Degree in Health Education
Pursuing a degree in health education requires dedication and compassion. Your academic path can range from an associate’s degree and bachelor of science in health education to a more specialized certification such as registered dietary nutrition. With a background in health education, there is a vast range of career opportunities including specialty niche jobs you’ve likely never considered.
As you start to explore careers, you may find that many jobs require at least a four-year degree. However, if you have the right skillset and demeanor, there are positions that allow you to start working with less. Many students interested in health education, ultimately, decide to pursue additional certification to qualify for niche careers. If, after finishing your health education undergraduate degree, you still don’t know which direction you want to take, consider following the path of other students who elect to work in the field before pursuing a master’s degree.
It can be difficult to navigate the vast array of opportunities. With so much discussion around healthcare policy happening in the United States, it is not always clear which jobs will remain relevant or become outdated as the field evolves. Taking into account the sheer number of roles healthcare encompasses with a spectrum of salaries, it’s important to examine multiple potential careers and familiarize yourself with specific qualifications and benefits before making a decision.
We’re going to explore several in-demand health education positions in the current job landscape. Additionally, we’ll cover the necessary qualifications for each position as well as the most appropriate training approach. Together, this information will help you decide if a career in health education is right for you.
Doula
You don’t necessarily need to pursue a career as a doctor or nurse to help deliver babies. From the time a woman finds out she is expecting to after giving birth, doulas provide support on multiple fronts including emotional, physical and educational. Sometimes referred to as labor companions or labor support professionals, doulas aim to help women have a safe and empowering birthing experience.
Although you don’t need a college degree to become a doula, a background in health education would help you answer a mother’s questions as well as address any fears or concerns she might have. Doulas help expecting mothers and their partners create a birth plan. While prices vary, North Carolina-based doula Sarah Cowherd told The Penny Hoarder, that she “charges $1,175 for her birth-only package and $25 to $45 per hour for postpartum care.” Doulas are a valuable resource for techniques that can help to reduce the stress and trauma that sometimes accompany childbirth.
It’s important to note that doulas don’t provide any type of medical care. Nevertheless, you must be knowledgeable about various medical aspects as they pertain to labor and delivery.
Nutritionist
Another career you might consider exploring following your studies in health education is nutritionist. As you may already know, a nutritionist is an expert in the role food and nutrition have in both promoting health and managing diseases. Their job is to advise people on what they should and shouldn’t eat in order to be healthy or to achieve a specific health-related goal such as losing weight or managing diabetes. What you might not know is nutritionists work in a variety of different capacities.
Nutritionists are divided into two groups: clinical nutritionists and community nutritionists. For either path, you will need to start with a bachelor’s degree followed by specific certification. Experts at U.S. News report that, in 2018, the average salary for nutritionists was $61,210. Clinical nutritionists generally work one-on-one with patients and their families to assess, design, and implement dietary strategies that will address a particular medical issue.
On the other hand, community nutritionists work in schools, community health clinics, government agency programs, and health maintenance organizations to serve specific subgroups of the population. Your background in health education makes you a good fit for developing programs that address the specific nutritional issues of subgroups such as the elderly or at-risk families.
Community Health Worker
If you live in an underserved community and feel called to help, then community health worker (CHW) could be just the position you’re looking for. Often, community health workers have a close understanding of the community where they work. Considered frontline public health workers, you must have the ability to form trusting relationships in order to do your job effectively. Think of this job as a bridge between people and needed healthcare information and services.
Like the previous two jobs, community health workers don’t provide medical care, but rather, they are the liaison or intermediary between health/social services and the community. According to U.S. News, the median salary for a community health worker was $39,540 in 2018. The trusting relationships they’ve built allows them to facilitate access to crucial services and educate people about important health topics like disease prevention.
As a CHW, you will put your health education background to work as you strive to increase health knowledge in the community. In addition to a high school diploma, most CHWs have a one-year certificate or two-year associate’s degree in health education. Either on your own or through collaboration, you will organize activities such as outreach and informal counseling. Part-educator and part-advocate, it’s your job to recognize the roadblocks to a particular community receiving adequate healthcare and to put a plan in place to overcome those obstacles.
These health education careers are just three examples of the many jobs awaiting you in this booming field. Upon pursuing one of these positions, you might realize it’s actually a path to an even more specialized career that plays to your passion. Regardless of if you pursue a four-year degree or you’re better suited to on-the-job training, you now have a better idea of how your own skills and interests match up against these in-demand professions in the health education field.
