Becoming A Health Educator

Becoming A Health Educator
When it comes to an entry-level position as a health educator, a bachelors degree would usually suffice. However, some employers prefer that apart from that degree, you should also have some experience related to the field, whether through internship or volunteer work. On the other hand, some employers require a Masters degree for certain positions, especially if you are seeking for advancement.

In the bachelors degree, you will basically learn about the theories and methods related to health education. Along the way, you are also expected to develop the necessary skills in order to implement health education programs. In the meantime, taking additional courses such as psychology, human development, and foreign languages can be an added advantage. Going for internships or volunteer activities to do with the field would be an added advantage to your resume as you would then gain hands-on experiences as well as allow you to apply some of the theories and methods that you have learnt throughout the bachelors degree course. After that, you can opt to pursue a Masters in Health Education. In most public sectors, to attain a position as a health educator would require a Masters degree. Some employers would even sponsor their educators to continue their education in order to keep up to date to the latest trends in the field. You may need to undergo a specific certification to become a certified health educator, depending on where you come from.

Apart from the paper qualifications, one will need to have the personality for it. Health educators generally spend much time working with people, and must be comfortable working alone and in groups. As they are educators, they would need to be able to communicate well, and be able to speak comfortably with the public especially since they might need to teach classes or give presentations. Because they would be working with diverse populations, they will need to be culturally sensitive and be opened to the differences. Lastly, they should also be creative as they will need to come up with new programs or materials.