Deciding a Health Science Career Path

Your first step is to learn about the different health related professions. An excellent source of information is NEAAHP (Northeast Association of Advisers for the Health Professions). The Health Career Links page has many other good sources. In addition, Wells College offers HS100 Introduction to Health Sciences where local healthcare providers from a variety of fields come to campus and talk with students.  This course is a great oppertunity to explore the large selection of careers in the health sciences and is also a great way for students to network with healthcare professionals.

• A variety of pre-requisite courses that are found in the health science major
• Breadth and depth of study in the liberal arts 
• Genuine desire to work with people and be an active member their communities  
• Evidence of a strong work ethic with the ability to work through difficult problems using analytic and critical thinking skills.

Pre-requisite Courses

If you are interested in a health science career you should talk to your adviser and a member of the health science advising committee to ensure you are getting the support you need to reach your goals.  To obtain a career in the health sciences you can major in anything but you must complete a number of pre-requisite courses that span a variety of majors.  These courses vary by profession but are combined in our Biological Sciences: Health Sciences major.

Biological Sciences: Health Sciences Major Requirements

Commonly Declared Minors 

Obtaining a minor with your health science degree is strongly encouraged and provides evidence of work ethic and desire to learn. Obtaining a minor is also a way to set yourself apart from other applicants and go above and beyond the required coursework.  Health science majors are encouraged to pursue any minor that the school offers that is compatible with the major requirements.  Common minors that health science students pursue include:

• Chemistry
• Cognitive and Brain Science
• Computer Science
• Healthcare Management
• Holistic Health Studies
• Psychology
• Science Health and Values
• Sociology
• Sports Management

Double Majoring

Some health science students decide to double major in Biological Health Sciences: Health Sciences and another compatible major.  If you are interested in doing this, you should talk to your adviser as soon as possible. Common second majors obtained with the the Health Science major include Psychology, Sociology/ Anthropology, and Computer Science.  

Community Involvement

If you are going into a healthcare field (human or animal) you need to demonstrate you genuinely want to help people and can work with people in a healthcare setting.  You can easily be involved in community service by participating in clubs, internships, and other on campus activities.  Some examples include:

• Health Science Club
• Pre-vet club
• Red Cross Club
• Aurora Volunteer Fire Department/ on campus EMT
• On campus food pantry
• Campus Greens
• Rural Health Immersion Program
• Volunteering at a local horse farm that provides hippotherapy
• Becoming a teaching assistant

Research and Internships

Wells College requires you to do at least 2 internships before you graduate but some health care professional schools require MUCH more.  Before being admitted into a program you have to provide sound evidence that you have a good understanding what that career is all about. Health care professional schools also look very favorably on students that have completed an independent research project. For example, 90% of the students accepted into Cornell veterinary school have independent research experience.  Even though these students have no desire to pursue a PhD it show prospective graduate schools that the student likes to be challenged, can thin critically, and can work as part of a team. This experience will help you stand out from the crowd.

• On Campus Research: Talk to faculty on campus to see what research opportunities are available. One big advantage you have at Wells is that you have easy access to research opportunities.  You just have to talk to your professors.
• Setup Wells Internships: Rural Health Immersion Program, Matthew House
• Working/ volunteering at hospitals, vet clinics, dental clinics, physical therapy clinics, etc.
• Research experiences for undergraduates (REUs): You get paid to do research over the summer.  Locations all over the country! In the past 3 years students at Wells have done REUs at Cornell, Rochester, Upstate Medical, Georgia Tech, Samford University (Alabama), and the University of California.
• Study abroad. Health science students have done study abroad programs in Ireland, Italy and Australia.