For those fascinated by health and the human body and driven to make a difference in the lives of others, a bachelor of health sciences degree can act as the gateway to a diverse number of career paths. At the undergraduate level, a health sciences major lays a solid foundation in health principles, research methods and clinical procedures, enabling students to build their own careers based on individual strengths and interests. Those students who take advantage of internships, career-targeted electives or specialization tracks should find themselves most competitive in the job market after graduation.
Health Educator
A career in health education isn’t limited to the classroom at your local high school, although a position as a health teacher certainly is one of the many options available to health sciences graduates. Today, with the growing public push for greater health education, health science majors can find employment in government agencies, community organizations, religious and charitable institutions and even private businesses. In all of these settings, health educators work to educate and empower people toward a healthier lifestyle.
Health Science Writer
For some health sciences students, writing comes easily and earning ‘A’s’ on papers is no problem. These students may want to consider a career as a health science writer, a profession centered on making health expertise accessible to the general populace. Health science writers take highly technical, jargon-laced scholarly reports from the medical field and translate them into layman’s terms, so that non-doctors can learn and potentially benefit from that knowledge. Health science writers may have their works published in newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, textbooks and informational pamphlets.
Biomedical Illustrator
Students equally gifted in both the biological sciences and the arts may be drawn to a career as a biomedical illustrator. These professionals create the visuals that accompany written or verbal medical knowledge, helping doctors, patients, medical students or the general populace really get the picture when it comes to health and the human body. Biomedical illustrators may use a wide range of artistic techniques, ranging from painting to sculpture, and contribute to projects such as textbooks, educational films, brochures or posters.
Medical Interpreter
Health sciences students who happen to be bilingual, or at least highly fluent in a second language, can put their sought-after skills to work as a healthcare interpreter. These healthcare professionals play a critical role in enabling doctors and other practitioners to provide the best possible treatment to individuals who may not speak or understand English — a growing segment of the patient population. Interpreters fluent in American Sign Language are also needed to communicate with deaf or hard-of-hearing patients. According the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the health care industry is one of the leading employers of interpreters today.
Substance Abuse Counselor
Substance abuse counselors work with patients who are struggling with dependence on alcohol, medications or other addictive substances, providing assessment, interventive or preventive treatment and aftercare support. They may work with patients one-on-one or in group settings, and may be employed in a range of settings, including hospitals, outpatient mental health centers, detox centers, prisons and employee assistance programs. After graduating college, health sciences majors may need additional certification or credentialing in order to work as substance abuse counselors.
A bachelor of health sciences degree offers students versatility, and motivated health sciences graduates will combine their collegiate classes with personal skills and interests to pursue the job description that suits them best. As healthcare remains an ever-looming issue in the United States, the demand for well-educated healthcare professionals will continue. Whether tackling the obesity epidemic, promoting healthy living to children and adolescents, or helping people to understand the nation’s complex and changing healthcare and health insurance laws, health sciences majors have an array of rewarding and important careers awaiting them after graduation.
