1. It’s more than good luck!
Landing a JOB
It’s more than good luck!

2. Introduction Too much morbidity & premature mortality in the U.S.
In 2009 (U.S. Department of Labor, 2010)
63,320 health educators in U.S.
Average salary $49,060; $23.59/hour
Health education is offered in a variety of settings
Skills needed to work in all settings are the same

3. Possible Employment Settings
Schools
Clinics or Hospitals
Community / Public Health Agencies
Business / Industry
Self-Employment

4. School Health Education/Promotion
School health” involves all the strategies, activities, and services offered by, in or in association with schools that are designed to promote students’ physical, emotional, and social development” (ASHA, 2010)
Primarily involves instructing school-age children about health & health-related behaviors
Potential to impact students is tremendous
56 million students
132,000 schools
Can be very effective, but programs often compromised
Coordinated School Health Program – 8 components
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

5. Rules of Good Health* - 1922 Take a full bath more than once a week
Brush teeth at least once a day
Sleep long hours with windows open
Drink as much milk as possible, but no coffee or tea
Eat some vegetables or fruit everyday
Drink at least four glasses of water a day
Play part of every day outdoors
Have a bowel movement every morning
*Regney (1922)
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

6. School Health Education/Promotion
Preparation
Teacher preparation curriculum in college
Licensed by the state
Responsibilities
Teach (typically 7-12, sometimes K-6)
Lesson planning; grading; keeping a Web page with announcements, assignments, & grades or progress reports; parent meetings; disciplining; coaching; & administrative duties
Also, developing curricula, after-school activities, & committee work (i.e., Drug Task Force)
Advocate for school health; policy development
Advantages / Disadvantages
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

7. Public/Community Health Education/Promotion
Community health education & public health education – same or different?
“The work of public health educators (PHEs) is to change policies and environments as well as attitudes and behavior that affect health, and to operate in close association with community groups” (ASPH, 2010)
Healthy People Healthy People in Healthy Communities
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

8. Community/Public Health Education/Promotion
Types of agencies
Voluntary health agencies (e.g., ACS, AHA, ALA)
Public health agencies (or official governmental agencies) (e.g., LHDs, state health department, federal agencies)
Could include many different responsibilities
Planning, implementing & evaluating programs
Administrative functions– e.g., fund raising; budgeting, recruiting & coordinating volunteers, grant proposal writing
Coalition building
Committee work & public speaking
Media relations
Advocacy
Advantages / Disadvantages
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

9. Worksite Health Education/Promotion
worksite health promotion - “a combination of educational, organizational and environmental activities designed to improve the health & safety of employees & their families” (Joint Commission, 2001, p. 103)
Can help with health care costs
Programs vary greatly from site to site; often include exercise
Programs at 80% of worksites (>50 employees); almost all large employers (>750 employees)
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

10. Worksite Health Education/Promotion
May need two degrees; one a generalist like in health education/promotion & a second in specialty area like exercise physiology, nutrition, nursing or athletic training
May need certifications - e.g., CHES, MCHES, ACSM, CPR, smoking cessation
Responsibilities
Many & varied
Conducting classes - e.g., fitness, nutrition
Conducting screenings & personal training sessions
Administrative functions; maintaining records & equipment, writing newsletters, health fairs
Marketing the programs
Advantages / Disadvantages
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

11. Health Education/Promotion in Health Care Settings
Variety of settings – e.g., hospitals, medical clinics, home health agencies, HMOs, PPOs
Types of jobs
Employee health & wellness
Patient education
HMOs have been most receptive to hiring
Third party reimbursement an issue
Optimistic about future employment opportunities
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

12. Health Education/Promotion in Health Care Settings
Involved in numerous & varied activities
Activities differ from setting to setting
Responsibilities
Planning, implementing, & evaluating programs & activities
Education: 1-on-1 or group patient education services
Administration – e.g., grant proposal writing, public relations, employee wellness activities, marketing
Coordination & collaboration of/for activities
Advantages / Disadvantages
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

13. Health Education/Promotion in Colleges/Universities
Academic, or faculty, position
Responsibilities: teaching, community & professional service, scholarly research; depends on the institution
Emphasis on the responsibilities vary based on the type of institution
Typically need a doctoral degree & experience; maybe CHES/MCHES or CHES/MCHES eligible
Health education specialist in university health service or wellness center
Plan, implement & evaluate programs for students
Resource library, peer education programs
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree; CHES/MCHES helpful
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

14. International Opportunities
Much need, especially in developing countries
Special dedication; challenging; personal satisfaction
Cultural differences; may need a 2nd language; topics for programs may be very different than you have learned about in the United States
Peace Corps an excellent opportunity
CDC is expanding its work around the world
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

15. NONTRADITIONAL HEALTH EDUCATION/PROMOTION POSITIONS
Sales related to health & fitness
Health insurance
Pharmaceutical
Fitness, health, & medical equipment
Health-related books & materials
Communication areas
Publishing
Media; TV, newspapers
Health-related Web sites
Unique opportunities (i.e., teaching in justice/mental health center)
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

16. Landing that first JOB
Creating a resume that reflects professional competence
Type all application materials and proof read all materials multiple times

17. Landing that first JOB Experience…experience…experience!
Previous employment
Internships/Practicums
Service Learning
Volunteering

18. Landing that first JOB Review job openings on a regular basis
Network…network…network

19. Landing that first JOB Develop a Portfolio! Certifications / Licensure
Work samples (varied)
Certifications / Licensure
Professional Memberships

20. Landing that first JOB Honest Assessment of Skills
Communication Skills
Written
Verbal
Second language
Collaboration
Technology Skills
Leadership Skills
Organization Skills
Assessment, Planning, Implementing, Evaluating

21. Landing that first JOB Current and specific references
Developing relationships necessary for people to provide recommendations beyond the standard

22. Interviewing Do your homework Having a vision for your future
Being able to communicate your strengths and identify areas in which you will continue to grow
Demonstrating good listening skills
Providing answers to the questions asked

23. What you want to know about your employer
Support for continuing education or professional development
Benefits package
Work environment/climate
Strengths/future goals of the agency or organization…
Review process/advancement