The healthcare sector accounts for up to one-third of all new jobs. In fact, employment in health-related professions is expected to grow 15 percent within the next eight years, adding 2.4 million jobs to the field. Many students find themselves drawn to the health and wellness industry, to meet this growing demand. However, some are unsure of the specific job opportunities they can pursue after graduation. If you are asking, “What can I do with a Health Science degree?”, you are not alone.

For students who are interested in a career in health and wellness, a degree in Health Science can provide both flexibility and versatility. There is a wide variety of careers that a bachelor’s in Health Science can prepare you for, where you can make a real difference. For example, careers can be found in areas like fitness, health education, and nutrition, just to name a few. Here are some specific examples of what you can do with a Health Science degree in hand.

Community Health Educator

A community health educator works to promote good health and inform the public about disease prevention. Rather than providing one-on-one care, a community health educator works to benefit the community as a whole by empowering individuals to make the necessary changes in their behavior to improve their well-being. Students pursuing a degree in Health Science can specialize in Community Health Education in order to enter this field.

Responsibilities
Community health educators deliver resources and education in an effort to influence the behavior of members of their community. They may be asked to develop literature and reading materials that can be passed out to the public in an effort to inform them about a specific disease. Health educators can also work with local medical professionals and government officials to change policies that have an impact on the health and welfare of community members. They might also work to identify prevailing health issues affecting the community and develop a strategy to address them.

Earning Potential
Health education specialists earn a median pay of $48,140 per year. Employment in this field is expected to increase 13 percent by 2029, making this career an excellent choice for students who want both job security and the chance to be a positive influence in the lives of their neighbors, friends, and family.

Personal Trainer

For students who want to combine their passion for fitness with their interest in health science, a career as a personal trainer provides a great pathway. When earning their degree in Health Science, students can add an Exercise and Fitness concentration that will train them in the areas of kinesiology, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, and more. With this knowledge base, graduates can enter a career as a personal fitness trainer.

Responsibilities
Personal trainers and fitness instructors work with individual clients or with groups. They evaluate their clients’ fitness level and help them meet their health and fitness goals. These meetings and/or classes can take place in a gym, fitness facility, or in a client’s home. In some cases, personal trainers may also provide their clients with information on topics such as nutrition and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Earning Potential
A personal trainer’s annual pay can depend on a few factors. For example, if they work for a gym, their pay will depend on experience level and on the pay scale that the gym uses for its trainers. However, if a personal trainer works as an independent contractor, they can work at multiple fitness facilities or build their own client base. In this case, they can earn quite a bit more. According to Indeed, the average national salary for a personal trainer is about $42,780 per year.

Wellness Program Manager

Students interested in helping others make healthy dietary and lifestyle choices, in a one-on-one setting, may consider a career as a wellness program manager. A degree in Health Science, with a concentration in Nutrition, is recommended for this career path.

Responsibilities
Wellness program managers work for organizations to help manage and administer policies and programs that promote physical, mental, and financial wellness in the lives of their employees. They may create wellness programs and activities such as health screenings, smoking cessation coaching, and weight management classes. They may also be in charge of managing any onsite fitness facilities and hiring instructors, when applicable.

Earning Potential
The salary range for this career depends largely on experience level and the kind of workplace environment the wellness program manager works in. Glassdoor estimates that the average annual salary for a wellness program manager is $77,029.

Post-Graduate Programs

Health Science degree programs can also prepare students for post-graduate work. While baccalaureate degrees in Health Science are more common than graduate degrees in the field, a bachelor’s in Health Science can prepare students for a variety of related graduate programs. For example, students who have earned a degree in Health Science and are drawn to nutrition and bio-individuality are qualified to enter a Master’s of Science in Nutrition program. A degree in Health Science can also prepare students for graduate study in areas like Occupational Therapy, Nursing, and a Doctor of Chiropractic program.

Unlike a degree in biology or chemistry, a Health Science degree focuses on health problems and outcomes. Health Science courses prepare students to work in a broad, interdisciplinary field full of employment opportunities. Plus, when students choose a concentration, such as Exercise and Fitness, they’ll graduate with the skills they need to work as experts in their passion career. If you’ve ever wondered, “What can you do with a Health Science degree?”, it’s clear that there is an abundance of options.

Curious about the Bachelor of Health Sciences program? Ask for more information about University of Bridgeport’s unique offerings.