Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Be sure to take the core classes such as ENGL Courses in your second year could include ENGL 202,
101, ENVH 200, and PSYC 150. Work with an ac- MATH 170, HPE 223 or BIOL 291, HSCC 322, COMM
EXCEL IN
ademic advisor to choose liberal studies classes 201, HPE 225 or BIOL 292, and MKT 201 and ACCT 251.
that both interest you and give you a broader Be sure to check out the 8-Semester Plan and your
understanding of the world around you. advisor for your concentration.
EXPERIENCE
Check out WCU’s DegreePlus program and Get involved with the Integrated Health Sciences
GET HANDS-ON
Connect with the Center for Service Learning Develop deeper relationships with the organizations
and ask about the Lily Award, a program aimed for which you volunteer. Ask for special projects or
to encourage students to be connected with responsibilities that you can highlight on a resume.
their community.
If you want to study abroad, this is a good year to
Volunteer in retirement homes, schools, af- have that experience. Consider opportunities like
ter-school programs, on-campus initiatives such Global Health Internships.
as the UP Program.
PREPARE FOR LIFE
Further explore your career options or career Attend the Catamount Career and Networking
COLLEGE
interests using the Center for Career and Day to identify summer, part-time, or internship op-
Professional Development’s online resources,
AFTER
for in a recent college graduate resume. (Chronicle of Higher Education’s study on 50,000 employers)
Chemistry Management Sociology
Consider internships or job shadowing experiences Investigate requirements for full-time jobs. Assess
within your field. Check out the CCPD’s Job Shadowing what skills or experiences you’re lacking and in-
Days in Atlanta, Asheville, or Charlotte. vest time in seeking additional opportunities such
as certification programs, classes, or professional
Consider networking with professionals in your field at development workshops during your last year to
national or regional professional conferences such as fill that gap. Connect with your faculty advisor or
the International Congress on Integrative Medicine career counselor.
and Health.
Continue to build relationships and volunteer with area Join professional IHS organizations such as the
organizations in your field. Healthcare Administrators Association, American
Public Health Association, or Health Care Educa-
Connect with alumni in your field through tion Association.
LinkedIn.
Network with employers and non-profits at the Cata-
mount Career and Networking Days.
DID YOU KNOW?
Visit the CCPD to hone your professional resume and Apply to professional school, if applicable.
cover letter. Apply for internships. Utilize the Writing
and Learning Commons for MCAT, GRE, and other Look for and apply for jobs between 4 and 6 months
professional exam preparation sessions. Take the before graduation.
MCAT, GRE, etc. Use Big Interview to learn more about
professional interviews. Polish your resume, cover letter, and interview
skills by visiting the CCPD.
Schedule a visit to tour professional schools of your
choice, if applicable.
MORE INFORMATION
INTERNSHIP Information Professional RESOURCES
Health & Wellness Concentration:
This degree does not require an internship. However, stu-
• Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE):
dents are strongly encouraged to complete an internship
shapeamerica.org
on their own; students in the pre-professional track may be
• American Public Health Association: apha.org
required to have observation or internship hours as part of
• Society for Public Health Education: sophe.org
the admission to a graduate program. Students can work
• Health Care Education Association: hcea-info.org
with the Center for Career and Professional Development to
Management Concentration:
learn about internships. Students will be required to com-
• Association for Healthcare Administrative Professionals:
plete a culminating senior-level service learning capstone
ahcap.org
course that provides an individually tailored exposure to
• Healthcare Administrators Association: hcaa.org
real-world health issues which impact regional, national,
• American College of Healthcare Administrators: achca.org
and global communities.
Pre-Professional Concentration:
• American Medical Association: ama-assn.org
SKILLS LEARNED in the • American Academy of Physician Assistants: aapa.org
Classroom • National Athletic Trainers Association: nata.org
• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy: aacp.org
The core competencies will center on developing skills, • The American Occupational Therapy Association: aota.org
knowledge, and attitudes such as: • American Physical Therapy Association: apta.org
• Critical thinking • American Chiropractic Association: acatoday.org
• Problem solving
• Communication
• Inter-professional teamwork and
• Ethical and evidence-based decision making. QUESTIONS?
For questions, please call the Integrated Health Sciences
A special emphasis is placed on promoting cultural compe- pro-gram at 828-227-7705 or visit ihs.wcu.edu.
tency and sensitivity for the needs of underserved popula-
tions. To schedule an appointment with a career counselor,
contact the Center for Career and Professional Development
at 828-227-7133 or careers.wcu.edu
KNOWLEDGE Base
This program will prepare students to:
• Recognize the global nature of health
• Develop awareness of the importance of cultural
competence, especially in underserved populations with
health disparities
• Understand the interaction among healthcare policy,
economics, and healthcare delivery
• Demonstrate effective professional/ interprofessional
communication and collaboration