Child Life Specialist

 

Do you love the idea of working with children in a hospital or related setting, but aren’t as interested in taking a load of pre-med type science courses?  Then, the career of Child Life Specialist might be just the profession you have been looking for!  Child Life Specialists provide essential services to children and their families as they prepare to undergo different medical procedures.  Here are some further details from the professional website, Childlife.org:

Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events.

Armed with a strong background in child development and family systems, child life specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. They provide emotional support for families, and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization. Because they understand that a child’s wellbeing depends on the support of the family, child life specialists provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members. They also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress. 

http://www.childlife.org/The%20Child%20Life%20Profession/

As far as work environments for child life specialists, the website indicates:

Although child life has its traditional foundations in hospitals, an increasing number of child life specialists are applying their unique expertise to help children in other environments, including outpatient healthcare facilities, doctors’ offices, hospice care, specialized camps, schools, court systems, and funeral homes. Whatever the location, child life interventions focus on the individual needs of the child and family. 

http://www.childlife.org/The%20Child%20Life%20Profession/WhereDoChildLifeSpecialistsWork.cfm

For more specific details about requirements in pursuing a career in this rewarding career, please visit: http://www.childlife.org/Certification/Getting%20Certified/index.cfm

Internship experience as well as appropriate academic preperation are required, so a visit to Baylor’s Child and Family Studies department might help you on your way to exploring this field further.

You can reach this department at:

http://www.baylor.edu/fcs/index.php?id=62112

As always, please let us know if we can seek out more information for you regarding this valuable career path.

 

 

 

 

 

Health Science Studies Major

 

We frequently receive questions about the Health Science Studies major in Baylor’s School of Education.  It should come as no surprise, since approximately one-third of Baylor freshmen indicate that they are on a pre-med track.  If you are interested in a career in healthcare, pre-med or otherwise, please take a few moments to learn some basics about this popular major.

The Health Science Studies major is offered on a Bachelor of Science in Education degree plan.  Be aware that this does not automatically mean that you will be prepared for teacher certification with this program, though some students choose to include teacher education classes in their courses of study.  Students in this major have a choice of four options:

  • Pre-Physical Therapy Option
  • Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Option
  • Secondary General Science Education Option
  • Health Professions Option

Obviously, the first two options are intended for students who plan on applying to a professional school in physical therapy, medicine, or dentistry.  The programs include the prerequisites needed for admission to the professional schools.  Students in these two options should note the following requirement, taken directly from the Baylor University Undergraduate Catalog (2011-2012):

“Students in Health Science Studies (HSS) Premedical/Predental and Pre-Physical Therapy majors will be required to have a 3.0 or beter cumulative GPA after 60 hours are completed (with at least 15 hours at Baylor). These 60 hours will include but not be limited to BIO 1305-1105, BIO 1306-1106, CHE 1301, 1302, 1316, HP 1420, and required math coursework. If a student does not have the 3.0 GPA after completing the required 60 hours, the student will be placed on probationary status for one term.  At the end of the one probationary ter, (two summer sessions count as one term) if the GPA is still not at a 3.0 and/or the above coursework is not completed, the student will not be allowed to continue in this major. Students may appeal the GPA requirement only in very unusual circumstances. Appeals must be made in writing to the director of the HSS program within 15 days of the end of any semester after 60 hours when a student’s GPA falls below 3.0.”

Students in the latter two options must maintain a 2.6 GPA or higher, meaning that some students who are not able to continue in the Pre-Physical Therapy or Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Options are able to change to the Secondary General Science Education Option or Health Professions Option as a back-up plan.

The Secondary General Science Education Option has Health Science Studies students to take courses that would make them eligible to apply for teacher certification, while the Health Professions Option gives students the choice of a minor in Business Administration or Community Health.

Many students find appealing the professional field experience or internship that is built into this major.  Also, students are quick to notice that the Health Science Studies major does not require students to take a foreign language, a significant difference from a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree plan.

We hope this summary whets your appetite for information on the Health Science Studies major.  Stay tuned, as we plan to add an interview with Dr. Barbalee Symm about this major to our Meet the Majors podcast series soon!

Career Spotlight: Public Relations Specialist

When you hear the words public relations, what comes to mind?  Is it planning massive events, a celebrity’s spokesperson sending out a “no comment” response, or even someone “spinning” a story to make an organization look more positive?  The media has done little to conquer stereotypes of the profession of public relations.

At the core of public relations is writing, which makes it fitting that the Public Relations sequence is an option of the Journalism major at Baylor.  Strong grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills are a must for success in this field.  Public relations specialists work hard to promote a positive image of an organization or individual.  They use various forms of media to communicate their messages, such as print, online, and broadcast media.  Public relations specialists also need to be adept at interpersonal skills, since they work closely with staff from the various media outlets.

If promoting the good that others are doing sounds good to you, here are some ways you can learn more about a career in public relations:

Public Relations Society of America

Baylor University’s Department of Journalism, Public Relations, and New Media

What Can I Do with This Major?

Career Spotlight: Management Analyst

Do you enjoy offering advice?  Is research your forte?  Are you looking for a career in a growing industry?  If so, read further for information on a career as a management analyst.

According to the O*NET OnLine, management analysts, “conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplifications and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively.”  They help managers determine the best strategies for success.

The Occupational Outlook Quarterly explains that educational backgrounds for management analysts vary, though many possess a Master of Business Administration degree.  It goes on to list common undergraduate majors as business, management, marketing, economics, and engineering.  The publication also notes that many management analysts have work experience with management information systems.

For more information, and to determine if a career as a management analyst might be a fit for you, visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Announcement: U.S. Department of State Presentation at Baylor

The Department of Career Services in the Paul L. Foster Success Center shared the following announcement:

Ambassador Ron McMullen will discuss Foreign Service careers, internships, and experiences from 4:00 – 5:00 pm on Monday, September 12, 2011 in Kayser Auditorium in the Hankamer School of Business.  All students, staff, and faculty are invited to attend. Students/Alumni please RSVP in Hire a Bear.

Following this presentation Ambassador McMullen will be conducting individual consultations regarding summer 2012 internships with the U.S. Department of State.  Please request an interview via Hire a Bear to schedule an individual consultation with Ambassador McMullen.

Internships are paid positions. Minorities, students with disabilities, wounded veterans, speakers of hard languages, 1st generation college-goers, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and others are encouraged to apply.  Candidates must be American citizens, undergrad (but not Freshmen) or graduate students, and be planning to continue their college or grad school education after the internship.