Get an overview of specializations in:
Allied Health(clinical professions besides MD, PA, RN etc…) For students who are interested in careers where you are part of a medical team, “allied health care providers may play roles in evaluating and assessing a patient’s needs, keeping the physician and others informed of the patient’s progress and caring for the patient. Others work independently as specialists in exercise, nutrition, health education, speech and daily function.”
See the Center for Pre-Health Advising website Allied Health Professions for additional information about job functions, professional associations, graduate school and additional resources. L&S students interested in these professions are still able to meet with the Career & Internship Specialist in SuccessWorks.
Mental Health – “Some of these professionals include counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers and psychiatric nurses who help children, adolescents and adults deal with a variety of life stresses and problems, including addiction/substance abuse; problems with self-esteem; aging-related mental health issues; and other emotional or behavioral issues.”
Public Health – “Public health is the science and art of creating healthy communities through education, research and promotion of healthy lifestyles. In public health, the focus is on health promotion and disease/injury prevention. A career in public health opens the door to diverse opportunities in a variety of sectors such as federal, state, and local organizations, private, and non-governmental organizations.”
Health Administration/Management – “These professionals are are the business side of healthcare and their responsibilities include developing policy, coordinating and directing planning, maintaining an efficient and effective organizational structure, managing the organization’s assets, and analyzing the organization’s profitability and efficiency. A healthcare management career requires leadership skills, specialized knowledge of the healthcare industry, financial management, human resources, healthcare technology and informatics.”
Now Explore
- Learn about work environments and functions
- Find out requirements for education and training
- Discover the professional organizations and career outlook
Wisconsin Health Careers Area Health Education Centers (AHEC): Go to Healthcare Occupations menu to choose your area of interest. This is a good resource with Wisconsin specific employment trends
ExploreHealthCareers.org: See Start Exploring Today on the first page to find a wide variety of professions within healthcare, including Mental Health.
Career Profiles Health & Medical Career Center: Read health profession career profiles and find out information on employment trends by state.
Identify skills, job functions, outlook, salary etc…
ONET OnLine: O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more!
Occupational Outlook Handbook: The OOH can help you find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.
CareerOneStop: A source for career exploration, training & jobs. Sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Labor.
Glassdoor.com: Jobs, Company Reviews, Salaries, Interviews, Know Your Worth.
Build Your Experience & Skills
Use these sites to search for Internships, Volunteer, Part-time/Full-time jobs. Learn position requirements and qualifications to find out what skills and experiences you need for jobs of interest. In addition, search specific healthcare and mental health organization websites for other job listings.
Handshake: Find opportunities specifically for UW students and recent grads.
Indeed Human Services: A job search site listing positions at the national level.
LinkedIn: Search human services, mental health.
Idealist.org: Non-profit jobs and internships.
Glassdoor: Search by job title or company.
Wisc.jobs: Find jobs in the State of Wisconsin.
Examples of On Campus Resources
Center for Leadership and Involvement, UW-Madison Student Job Center, International Internship Program, Morgridge Center for Public Service
Graduate School
If I want to work in healthcare and wellness, do I need to go to graduate school or receive further training or certification? If yes, what is the right program(s) for me? Does it make sense to do a Ph.D. or a professional master’s program? Talk to your career & internship specialist, your academic advisor, and faculty members to learn more and to find out about different programs, here are a few resources to get you started: The Top PhD Resource on the Web, Commission on Accreditation, Schools in Public Health and Masters in Healthcare Administration.
Connect with Professionals
LinkedIn: Build your online presence by developing a profile, search for alumni in your major to learn the different paths you could consider, search for opportunities and more!
Use the Higher Education section to access guides on how to best use LinkedIn.
Badger Bridge: Whether you are fresh off Bascom Hill, a seasoned professional, or still a student, Badger Bridge is for you! Consider this your go-to resource for:
- Seeking alumni connections for professional advice
- Making a career change
- Connecting with alumni in your city or cities across the globe
- Considering relocating
Professional Development, License, Training & Additional Resources
A good way to further explore career interests is by checking out professional associations’ career and education resources. You can also learn about relevant events and conferences to attend, which is a great way to meet people in the field and make connections.
Psychology
Counseling
- American Counseling Association
- Clinical Social Worker vs. Mental Health Counselor
- Licensed Counselor Guide
- American Mentalhealth Counselor Association
- The National Rehabilitation Association
Social Work
Industry Research
- National Organization for Human Services
- U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Healthcare Management
American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management …
American Health Information Management Association
American College of Healthcare Executives
Public Health