Look below for relevant events and throughout this page for resources to help you learn about and land a position in this field. You can also subscribe to this community’s newsletter for job/internship updates, employer events, and more.
Want personalized advice to figure out your next steps? Maureen can help!
Upcoming Events
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Feb10
College of Letters & Science Career Fair Prep Night @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Gordon Dining and Event Center Register Here
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Feb12
Career Fair Prep for International Students @ 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm 126 Memorial Library
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Feb18
Spring Career & Internship Fair: Day 1 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Discovery Building Register on Handshake
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Feb19
Spring Career & Internship Fair: Day 2 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Discovery Building Register on Handshake
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Feb20
Equity and Inclusion Career & Internship Fair @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Union South - Varsity Hall Register on Handshake
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Apr16
Career Closet Shopping Spree @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm SuccessWorks, 711 State Street, 3rd Floor
Jobs & Internships on Handshake
Here’s a preview of just a few positions currently available on Handshake. Note that the date shown is not the application due date, but is the date the position was posted!
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Therapeutic Recreator I OR II at Maryland Department of Health
February 7, 2025 -
Clinical Psychologist at Illinois Department of Human Services
February 7, 2025 -
Personal Care Assistant at Swenson
February 6, 2025 -
Dietitian at Illinois Department of Human Services
February 6, 2025
Network with Alumni
There are many UW-Madison alumni working in this career area who are ready to have a networking conversation with students like you! They can share more about their careers and experiences, give you advice on how to get into these fields, answer your questions, and more. Learn more about alumni below, and enroll in our Career Conversations Canvas module for our help in setting you up with a networking conversation.
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Alumni Working in this Career Area
Explore Career Paths
If you’re interested in careers in helping people whether through direct care as a counselor or therapist, by managing healthcare systems to impact the patient experience, or analyzing data to improve efficiency in the delivery of services, there’s a place for you in allied health, public/global health, mental health, health administration and management, clinical research and much more.
Pre-Health Advising: If you have an interest in professional programs in healthcare, please consider making an appointment to see a Pre-Health Advisor, and if you’re looking to gain patient care experience, get started here.
Looking for more? Explore regional health & mental health organizations!
- Allied Health
- Mental Health
- Health Administration/Management
- Social Work
- Health & Business
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Speech-Language & Hearing
- Other Ways to Explore
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.

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. Learn more about mental health professions with the resources and organizations below.
Psychology
Counseling
- American Counseling Association
- Clinical Social Worker vs. Mental Health Counselor
- Licensed Counselor Guide
- American Mentalhealth Counselor Association
- The National Rehabilitation Association
School Psychology



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.
To get started on exploring different career paths and options in this field, check out the following resources to learn about current topics and discussions happening in the healthcare realm to get some insights into the industry.
- American College of Healthcare Executives -This is the website for the official organization for healthcare executives/administrators.
- Public Health Online– This website provides a great overview of the field, along with recommended skills and education
- Columbia Southern Blog– This post does a nice job highlighting the fact that there are many different paths and job choices in healthcare administration.
- Modern Healthcare & Healthcare Executive Podcast
- American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
- American Health Information Management Association

There are many great careers that involve the intersections of health and business, from healthcare consulting, to medical device sales, to digital health and health devices.



Pharmacists are medication experts who enhance patient care and promote wellness. They ensure medicines and doses are correct, prevent harmful drug interactions, counsel patients on the safe and appropriate use of their medications, and prepare and dispense prescriptions. As a pharmacist, you will have unique and specialized expertise about the composition of medicines, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties, as well as their manufacture and use. You may prepare personalized medications, participate in patient rounds at the hospital, reduce the spread of infections, conduct research or clinical trials for a biopharmaceutical company, or focus on a specific patient population or disease state (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, asthma, HIV, and pain management).

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.
Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) and American Public Health Association – go here to learn more about career paths and graduate school.
Professional fields directly related to Communication Sciences and Disorders fall into two main categories: clinical positions and research. Clinical positions are available in both speech-language pathology and audiology in a variety of settings including schools, clinics, hospitals, and other locations. Speech-Language Pathologists work to improve communication; including speech, language, voice, swallowing, and social communication skills. Audiologists prevent, identify, diagnose, and treat hearing and balance disorders. Scientific research works to better understand communication and supports clinical assessment and treatment related to the field (e.g., speech, language, hearing, cognition, and swallowing).
To learn more about majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders, visit the department website here. To learn more about career paths in speech-language and hearing, check out more resources here.

Explore Regional Health & Mental Health Organizations
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.
Healthcare & Wellbeing FAQs
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What specific skills and experiences should a resume include for Healthcare & Wellbeing?
For most opportunities involving helping professions, a standard resume is a great place to start. A simple, well-organized resume that highlights your relevant skills and outlines your accomplishments is all you’ll need for the majority of opportunities. That’s why it’s generally a good idea to stay away from fancy graphics and the free templates you find online, because even though they can look good at first, they can’t be adapted as you rework and add to your resume.
Sometimes, it’s helpful to have a few different versions of your resume, including one “Comprehensive Resume” that has all of your past work written out and can easily be cut down and re-ordered to highlight different types of experience, with related headings, based on the opportunity that interests you.
Ready to get started on your resume? Check out the SuccessWorks resume page, and set up an appointment with a Peer Advisor or Graduate Intern for feedback on your draft!
What should I be doing as a student to prepare for a career in the helping professions with direct 1:1 service to others?
When thinking about what experiences to have and to include on your resume, remember that you can include relevant knowledge and skills that you’ve gained from coursework, volunteering, student organizations, and other roles that may include providing a service to specific populations, like childcare or tutoring, being a camp counselor, advocating on mental health issues, being a peer advisor on campus, or working as a patient navigator with a community and social service organization. Above all, demonstrating strong interpersonal communication skills, empathy, and an interest in making a positive impact on others’ lives shows that you are interested in working in healthcare and human services.
Where can I find jobs and internships in this field?
It depends on the type of jobs and internships that interest you! The community newsletter highlights relevant opportunities as they’re posted, and this handout provides you with examples of local organizations where students are known to volunteer, work, and intern in the Madison and Milwaukee areas. Handshake is also a good site to check out, because it has information about career fairs and employer events as well as job and internship postings. I recommend adding the Handshake widget to your MyUW homepage to easily access the site. And of course, there’s the student job board for UW-Madison where you’ll find administrative and helping roles that are useful for getting started in Healthcare related career paths.
Larger job boards (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.) are always an option, too. While they can be overwhelming they do give you suggestions in the job search window of other titles to search. This can be helpful in creating a keyword list to help narrow your search. For the time being, I recommend you start with more focused search resources like the ones included above.
Is a cover letter actually important?
When applying for jobs and internships in these fields, it may depend on the type of role as to whether or not a cover letter is required. If you are filling out an online application, answering specific essay questions, and providing evidence of relevant experience, a cover letter may not be required. However, if there is a place to upload a cover letter, it is your chance to demonstrate your writing ability and to show a hiring manager why you’re interested in the position, and how your skills and experience make you a strong candidate. No one pursues a career in a service-oriented, helping profession without a strong passion or connection to their work, so that shared drive and motivation is something that every employer looks for in a candidate.
What types of gap year jobs should I look for?
Gap years are a great option to give yourself time to research and apply for programs of interest, learn more about the skills you want to gain through a graduate degree, and figure out what type of programs are the best suited for your goals and priorities. If you are planning on applying to health profession programs and you’re taking a gap year(s), ask yourself what types of experiences and skills are you still looking to gain? What else will help you to be a competitive applicant? Do you need more clinical experience, patient contact with specific populations, research or service work? There is no right experience to have, but demonstrating that you are spending your time wisely and preparing for your next steps is invaluable!
Check out the Grad School Application resource page, and enroll in the Grad School and Gap Year Canvas for more information.
Is being a doctor the best way to save lives working in healthcare?
There are multiple paths into working in healthcare. In addition to exploring common health professions, take time to consider paths like biomedical research, public health, health policy and healthcare management. These paths are also known for saving lives and play a vital role within the healthcare industry. In fact, all members of a healthcare team need to work together to provide the best care for patients. You can learn more about the collaborative approach to learning that UW-Madison graduate professional programs take on the Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education website.
Do I have to succeed in upper level math and science courses in order to work in a clinical healthcare setting?
Actually, there are other options if you discover that your skills and strengths may be stronger in other subjects. Start here to see all the different paths found in a clinical setting. One example is respiratory therapy.? Check-out two year training programs and masters degrees that don’t require organic chemistry. Here’s one program to explore.
Do I need to go to graduate school to find a rewarding career path if I major in psychology?
Not necessarily! Transferable skills you learn include research, problem solving, human behavior and so much more.
Some of the most common types of jobs that psychology majors have applied to on Handshake, to name a few, include all different types of analyst roles, HR recruiting, consulting, and product development.
Do I need a doctorate degree to work in mental health?
There are so many graduate school options for pursuing a path in counseling. How do I know which program is right for me?
Before enrolling in a graduate program, all prospective students must learn how to choose a counseling program that suits their personal interests, academic needs, and career goals. When you figure out these aspects of decision making for yourself, you can start to narrow in on the types of programs in which to apply. Here is another good resource to help in this process.
When should I make an advising appointment with Maureen?
If you’re just getting started with your resume or cover letter, the Resume and Cover Letters page has all you need to put together a solid draft! Then, our Peer Advisors and Graduate Interns can help you make sure your application materials are ready to submit and highlight all of your relevant skills and experience at an Express Advising Appointment!
If you know you’re interested in healthcare and human services careers and are looking for ways to gain experience, check out the resources linked on this page! On these pages, you’ll find examples of different career paths in mental health, plus examples of alternative paths to work in healthcare beyond the clinical setting.
If you have in-depth questions about figuring out the best graduate program to become a therapist, want to explore what else you can do in healthcare besides being a doctor, nurse, physician assistant etc.., or are feeling lost and want help getting a better sense of your options within this Career Community, then that’s a great time to meet with Maureen, the Career and Internship Specialist for Healthcare & Wellbeing! Maureen and other Career and Internship Specialists can help you with mock interviews, honing your application strategy, negotiating a job offer, and discussing that transition from college to career or graduate school. Make an appointment with Maureen here.
Graduate School
If I want to work in some of these careers, 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:
For our complete guide, view our non-credit Canvas module – Graduate School & Gap Year and learn more about Health-Related Gap Year Programs here.
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Graduate Programs in Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, and Schools
Use this guide to help with starting the exploration and decision-making process of identifying types of mental health related graduate programs to pursue by:
- Answering the following questions.
- Which clients do I want to serve?
- Which mental health issues do I want to treat?
- Which professional settings do I want to work in?
- Gaining clarity of your options.
- Identifying how multiple paths lead to similar types of roles.
*It is recommended to meet with an advisor to discuss questions and identify your next steps.
Counseling | Social Work | School - Based Programs | |
Required Graduate Education (WI) | Masters in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS, MA)Clinical Rehab Counseling (MS)Counseling Psychology (MS)Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Community Counseling (MS, MA) | Masters in Social Work (MSW) and sometimes counseling related graduate programs. | Master’s Degree (MSE, MS)School Counseling Masters in Social Work (MSW) School Social WorkSchool Psychology (EdS, PhD) |
Undergraduate Majors |
Most programs accept any/all undergraduate degrees and majors. While majors like psychology, social welfare, social work, and human development and family studies will provide students with an introduction to these fields, they are not necessary for admission to graduate programs. To explore a variety of majors recommended for helping people and other interests, see these lists. |
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Populations Served | Including children, teens, adults, families, couples, elders, LGBTIQ+Active military and families, distinct race based and/or cultural groups, veterans,criminal justice populations with various mental health issues/diagnosis, social and emotional issues | Same as Counseling column. | Children through teens generally in K-12 settings |
Job Tasks & Mental Health Issues | Examples for all types of counseling programs and clinical social work include: treating various mental health diagnoses: including anxiety, depression, personality, trauma, stressor-related, and substance use disorders, short-term or chronic illness, physical and psychiatric disabilities, traumatic brain injury and other neurological impairments, learning and intellectual disabilities, sensory disabilities, and aging. | Examples include providing and assessing needs for counseling, support services, case management, wellness checks, and advocacy for people experiencing: chronic health conditions,homelessnessmental health or substance misuse, divorce, and unemployment School Social Worker:Includes individual and group work with students, keeping track of attendance, part of multi-layered system of support team, collaboration with teachers, help family connections and obtain outside resources for them, crisis intervention, push in classroom support | School Counselor:Includes individual student academic planning and goal setting, short-term counseling, referrals for long-term support, collaboration with families/teachers/ administrators/community for student successEd.Specialist and School Psychologist: Includes providing culturally responsive assessment, intervention and prevention strategies. Trauma informed care strategies, AODA prevention, de-escalation strategies, and individual and group counseling |
Recommended Undergraduate Experience | It is important to gain experience related to the helping professions. This can include opportunities that allow you to help and serve others and/or gain experience in various settings (healthcare, schools, behavioral health, etc.) including the following.Volunteer, Intern, Work (part-time/full-time) in related activities: peer advisor | crisis stabilizer | community care camp counselor | tutor | teaching paraprofessionals | outreach and programmingspecific population support and mentoring | behavioral health | ||
Work Settings | Non-profits, for-profits, govt. agencies (county, state, federal) for inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, correctional facilities, various clinical settings, private practice, schools, in-home, and in community-based settings | Same as Counseling column. | Schools or school district buildings |
Examples of Graduate Programs (WI) (Search other graduate programs on professional association websites including CACREP) |
Wisconsin CACREP accredited programs: University of Wisconsin - Stout University of Wisconsin - Whitewater University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
The state Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board maintains a list of approved LPC education programs in Wisconsin.
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Wisconsin Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited programs: Concordia University Wisconsin University of Wisconsin - Green Bay University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
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Wisconsin CACREP accredited programs: University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh University of Wisconsin - River Falls University of Wisconsin - Whitewater - School Counseling
APA accredited University of Wisconsin- Madison - School Psychology |
Licensure Requirements (WI) (Licensing requirements vary from state to state, it is important to consider the licensing and credentialing requirements of the state you plan to live and work in. If you are unsure about these plans for your future, connect with a career advisor to discuss options.) |
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
LPC licensure in Wisconsin requires the completion of 3,000 hours of supervision for holders of master’s degrees, with 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact, and doctoral degree applicants are required to complete 1,000 hours of supervision. Applicants must: • submit an application and pays the applicable fee(s) online via LicensE, • satisfies the education requirements, • satisfies the supervised experience requirements, and • passes the National Counselor Examination (NCE), National Counselor Mental Health Certification
Examination (NCMHCE), or the Clinical Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRCE). |
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Upon completion of education and after receiving certification as an advanced practice social worker or as an independent social worker, engage in at least 3000 hours of supervised clinical social work practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact and including DSM diagnosis and treatment of individuals.
Board reviews application and determines eligibility to sit for the national ASWB exam. The exam for this level is called the ASWB Clinical Examination.
Contact ASWB to register for the national exam. |
Follow State Licensure Requirements
Tier I - One Year License with Stipulations
For candidates who have not yet met all of the requirements of their approved program to obtain a license.
Tier II - Provisional License
Educators who completed an approved educator preparation program for the first time in a license category (Teaching, Administrator or Pupil Services) after September 23, 2017, will be issued a provisional educator license for each license within that category.
Tier III - Lifetime License
A lifetime educator license may be issued to educators who successfully completed at least six semesters of experience in the category of their provisional educator license and have completed all statutory requirements.
Tier IV - Master License
This optional license may be issued to educators who hold, or qualify to hold, a Wisconsin lifetime educator license in school counseling and successfully complete a national board for professional teaching certification (NBPTS) or a Wisconsin Master Educator Assessment process (WMEAP). |
Certifications |
National Certified Counselor (NCC) National Certified Counselor (NCC) is the premier counseling certification. Earning national certification demonstrates to your colleagues and the public that you have voluntarily met high national standards for the practice of counseling. Those standards include demonstrating a mastery of counseling knowledge and skills by completing a graduate degree from an institutionally accredited or Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) counseling program, passing a rigorous national examination, the documentation of work experience and supervision requirements, and subscribing to the highest ethical and practice standards.
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)
A CRC is the only professional counselor educated at the graduate level and who has demonstrated a breadth and depth of knowledge and skill necessary to serve individuals with disabilities across a wide range of disabling conditions. CRCs use a unique and broad range of highly specialized services to evaluate, determine, coordinate, and manage any or all necessary services throughout the rehab process. A CRC is the bridge between the individual and a self-sufficient, fully integrated life.
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Social work is an evidence-based profession that promotes human and community wellbeing. Guided by a person-in-environment framework, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge based on scientific inquiry, the purpose of social work is actualized through its quest for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons, locally and globally.
Learn more with these resources and organizations: