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As a college professor and faculty advisor, I suppose it's impossible for me to not give advice to potential students. I'm not sure how many people have actually taken my advice, but I still think it's pretty good. I hope it helps you!
Read non-fiction and fiction books and journals. Read newspapers. Read on a variety of topics, not just health-related ones. Reading helps you become a better thinker and communicator. It also helps you relate your specific skills and interest in health to the larger issues facing your organization and community.
Take a part-time health/fitness-related job while you are in school. Your studies will become more meaningful for you, you will get a better sense of where you want to focus your career and you will be more marketable when seeking your first full-time position.
If you don't like to work in teams, don't enjoy helping others and aren't a good listener, then you need to choose another career. Seek opportunities now to improve your counseling skills, increase your understanding of human behavior and performance, become a better public speaker and develop your ability to solve problems and reach goals within a group setting. Join professional organizations, volunteer to serve on committees, assume leadership positions and become more aware of how you relate to others.
Some students mistakenly assume that their choices, attitudes and habits in school don't "count" toward their professional image. The health promotion field is small and you will meet people now who you may interact with again in the future. Your professors can be excellent references for you IF you have made a good impression on them. Your classmates will become your colleagues. As you attend conferences and host guest speakers in classes, you will meet people who might someday hire or recommend you for a position or opportunity. Approach your education as you would your job; keep your committments, value your education, take initiative and approach your assignments responsibly.
As a student you will be offered unique opportunities not offered to post-college professionals. Professional conferences provide free "internships" to attend and invite student presentations, professors will invite students to assist with research projects, students are invited to apply for scholarships and the chance to study abroad. Many students are afraid to apply, believing that they aren't qualified or don't want to risk the possibility of rejection. Before you dismiss an opportunity as not possible, talk to someone who you respect about it. Few students have extensive qualifications or achievements; that's why you're still a student!
I welcome the opportunity to talk with you personally about your choice of college, major and career interests if you are considering the field of health promotion/fitness. Please contact me at spencer@rowan.edu with your questions. Good luck!
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