Joining organizations for health science majors is one of the best ways to gain more experience in the healthcare industry and to meet students interested in the same issues as you. These groups include fraternal organizations that exist on campuses across the country and specialty clubs for students with set career goals. Though you may not find the same organizations on your own campus, you may find some similar clubs and groups.
Delta Epsilon Mu
One of the top organizations for health science majors that you can join is Delta Epsilon Mu. This is the only coeducational fraternity in the country for health majors. Founded in 1996, it has branches in Washington DC and in 12 states, including Ohio, New York, Michigan, Rhode Island and Texas. Members must have an interest in healthcare, and most members major in fields like pre-medicine or veterinary science. According to the Delta Epsilon Mu website, its chapters work on special projects with organizations like food banks and research institutes.
Future Healthcare Executives
Future Healthcare Executives is a great on-campus club for those who want to use their healthcare degrees to run and operate facilities. The organization accepts members who major in public health, counseling and other topics. It usually holds monthly meetings that let students discuss new technology used in the healthcare industry, the classes they take and their future goals. FHE also offers professional networking events that let students mingle with healthcare executives from the surrounding city and service learning opportunities. Students can even sign up for a job shadowing program to see what professionals do on the job.
Nutritional Sciences Club
Some of the best organizations for health science majors relate to a specific subject matter like the Nutritional Sciences Club. This is a type of club found on multiple college campuses that provides students with a fun place to talk about nutritional topics like food science, product development and the connection between health and nutrition. Similar organizations are open to students studying other aspects of health and include organizations like the American Physical Therapy Association, American Society of Nutrition and American Sports Medicine Institute.
Campus Clinic
If you want to work with patients as a medical professional like physical therapist, doctor or nurse, consider volunteering at the campus clinic. Even the smallest of college campuses will have a clinic that provides medical support to students. They can come in for a pinkeye treatment, to talk with a licensed counselor or for the treatment of another medical condition. Though most of the staff working in these clinics have medical licenses or professional degree, the clinics also need volunteers to work the phones, stock supplies and meet with new patients. Volunteering in the clinic will give you a better look at how medical facilities operate.
Honors Societies
Depending on your grades, you might consider joining one of the organizations for health science majors that are only open to honors students. Honors societies are available in most college departments and only accept students who have a grade point average of 3.0, 3.2 or even higher. You may join with a lower overall GPA and a higher GPA in your health science classes too. These organizations offer professional networking opportunities, social events, service learning programs and even off-campus excursions for members.
Health science majors include those enrolled in pre-med programs and those studying specific subjects like physical or occupational therapy, nursing and nutrition. Joining one of the organizations for health science majors is the best way to get more out of your major and to enjoy opportunities like service learning programs and professional networking events.
