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Wellness
The wellness industry encompasses a broad and diverse variety of activities, services, and products. Personal fitness and training, corporate wellness, diet, nutrition, beauty and mindfulness are all included in this industry. In recent years, a focus on proactive health approaches has sparked huge growth in this sector, and according to the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness economy is currently valued at $4.5 trillion (2018 data).
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Career opportunities in fitness and corporate wellness continue to grow as individuals, businesses, government, and insurance organizations place an increasing emphasis on encouraging active and healthy lifestyles to help prevent injuries and illnesses amidst rising health care costs and health care reform measures. Companies are investing more in workplace wellness programs to help reduce health care costs and to help employees be more productive and present at work. Companies may provide on-site fitness programs and facilities, or provide discounts and financial incentives for employees to join gyms, lose weight, and quit smoking. Corporate wellness programs might also include health fairs, health education, medical/biometric screenings, health coaching, and wellness newsletters. The fitness industry is also seeing a trend towards further growth in online/virtual personal training, personalized group-based training programs, participation in yoga and pilates, and fitness centers in nursing homes or residential care facilities.
Videos
Infographics
Articles
- Fitness Industry Issues/Trends Articles - A collection of current and useful articles on industry trends from the IDEA Health and Fitness Association.
- Health and Fitness Jobs: What You’ll Need, Where to Go and What You’ll Pay - by Kathryn Tuggle, published by FOXBusiness.
Student Groups
- Center for Health Research - The goal of the Center for Solutions Through Research in Diet & Exercise is to translate research and science into actionable programs and policy that will improve communities.
- PolyFit - Students who are passionate about health care and provide both students and the community with tests to measure personal health and strength.
Informational Interview
- Consider contacting local practitioners regarding the possibility of an informational interview or job shadowing opportunity. An informational interview is an informal conversation with someone working in an area that interests you who will give you information and advice. It is an effective research tool in addition to reading books, exploring the Internet and examining job descriptions. Read more about informational interviews here: Informational Interview and Job Shadowing Handout
- Reach out to professors at Cal Poly as well as industry professionals to set up an interview.
Professional Connections
- Corporate Health and Wellness Association - This LinkedIn group is dedicated to those involved in corporate health wellness, corporate fitness & nutrition, population health management, worksite wellness and medical wellness with a focus on health, wellness, and prevention for companies and employers.
- Fitness and Wellness Professionals - This group of fitness professionals on LinkedIn was created for networking and sharing of ideas and information as they relate to the health, wellness, and fitness.
- IDEA Health and Fitness Association - IDEA and its members are passionately committed to improving the health and fitness of all people.
- Society of Health and Physical Educators - SHAPE America is committed to ensuring all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, physically active lives.
Internship Opportunities
- Kinesiology Department Internship Program - a fieldwork program which provides a supervised, professional field experience in a variety of settings appropriate for the students’ interests and career goals.
- Premier Health and Fitness Resources - lists hundreds of fitness and health promotion internships on our Internship Finder directory.
Example Job Titles
- Corporate Fitness Instructor
- Fitness Club Owner
- Fitness Trainer/Instructor Coordinator
- Fitness and Wellness Coordinator
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Lifestyle and Weight Management Coach
Job Listing Links
- ExerciseJobs - Professional exercise and fitness jobs
- BluefishJobs - Jobs in collegiate recreation and beyond
According to The World Health Organization, "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Holistic wellness is achieving the integration and balance of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being of a person.
Videos
Infographics
- Six Dimensions of Wellness - This infographic by BodyFACTS illustrates the National Wellness Institute's definition of wellness in pictorial form.
Articles
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): The NCCIH explains the difference between complementary and alternative medicine. Learn about the different forms of Mind-Body Practices, the role of integrative medicine and natural products.
- Holistic Health Outlook: Read about different careers related to Holistic Health
Student Groups
- Student Health Advisory Committee - The Student Health Advisory Committee serves as the principal communication between students and the Health Services staff and is advisory to the ASI. Representative also serves on the Health Services Oversight Committee.
Local Workshops, Classes, and Informational Interviews
- California Holistic Institute - Learn from the experts at our local school of therapeutic massage.
- Transcendental Meditation - Explore the evidence-based wellness benefits of meditation practice at free, local introductory talks.
- Consider contacting local practitioners regarding the possibility of an informational interview or job shadowing opportunity. An informational interview is an informal conversation with someone working in an area that interests you who will give you information and advice. It is an effective research tool in addition to reading books, exploring the Internet and examining job descriptions. Read more about informational interviews here: Informational Interview and Job Shadowing Handout
Professional Connections
- Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM): This LinkedIn group represents an association of health professionals and citizens working to put the health and care back in health care.
- American Herbalists Guild - A non-profit, educational organization representing the goals and voices of herbalists specializing in the medicinal use of plants.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) - The NCCIH explains the difference between complementary and alternative medicine. Learn about the different forms of Mind-Body Practices, the role of integrative medicine and natural products.
- Yoga Alliance - The largest nonprofit association of over 70,000 yoga teachers and schools in the U.S. devoted to promoting the integrity and diversity of the teaching of yoga.
Internship Opportunities
- SLO Yoga Center - Become a certified yoga teacher.
- Smiling Dog Yoga - Attend yoga teacher training and advanced studies workshops.
- Consider contacting local practitioners to inquire regarding opportunities for internships, volunteerism, or training.
Example Job Titles
- Acupuncturist
- Herbalist
- Massage Therapist
- Naturopathic Doctor
- Yoga Teacher
- Wellness Coach
Job Listing Links
The National Bureau of Labor Statistics has calculated that employment of nutritionists and dietitians is expected to increase 20 percent during the current decade between 2010 to 2020, primarily because of both an increased emphasis on disease prevention in a growing and aging population, as well as increasing public interest in nutrition.
According to the California Employment Development Department, “A growing and aging population will boost demand for nutritional counseling and treatment in hospitals, residential care facilities, schools, prisons, community health programs, and home health care agencies. Public interest in nutrition also will spur demand, especially in food service management.”
Infographics
- Nutritionist Career - This infographic takes a look at the growth of a career as a nutritionist along with general statistics.
- How to Become a Nutritionist - This infographic by schools.com shows the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist along with the steps to achieve this career path.
Articles
- Dietitians and Nutritionists in California: Learn about career paths, potential job duties, and employment outlook, in this occupational guide prepared by the California Employment Development Department
Student Groups
- Cal Poly Center for Health Research - The goal of the Center for Solutions Through Research in Diet & Exercise is to translate research and science into actionable programs and policy that will improve communities.
- Cal Poly Nutrition Club - The Nutrition Club is an excellent group for students involved or interested in the nutrition field. The club provides a great social network for students to meet each other and participate in social events. There are also a lot of volunteer opportunities for students to get hands-on learning experience in the food and nutrition industry.
- Health Enrichment Action Team (HEAT) - As a nutrition-oriented team, HEAT provides dietary analysis, assistance with disordered eating and healthy eating on campus, fitness nutrition, and weight management support for students, free of charge.
Programs & Courses
Professional Connections
- Nutrition Health Providers and Professionals;
- Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialists Network
- American Society for Nutrition (ASN): ASN’s goal is to promote research in the nutrition industry by bringing together nutrition practitioners and researchers. Student members can apply for travel grants and scholarships, and access ASN’s journal publications. Recent graduates can take advantage of the job board, where employers list open positions within the field. The ASN also provides its members with additional resources to promote career growth, including annual meetings, conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
- American Nutrition Association (ANA): promotes nutritional health and well-being in the U.S. Nutrition students and recent graduates can access lectures, publications, and networking opportunities. Leverage the Intern Matching Program, or submit articles and videos to the ANA website. ANA also offers a job board where recent nutrition graduates can search for current openings within the field.
Internship Opportunities
- Cal Poly Dietetic Internship: Upon completing their dietetic internship, students will be qualified to enter clinical dietetics, foodservice management, community programs and to take the registration examination for their RD credential.
Example Job Titles
- Clinical Dietitian
- Consultant Dietitians
- Management Dietitian
- Nutritionist
- Careers in Nutrition - check out Cal Poly FSN's page on career paths
Job Listing Links
Wellness Technoloy
Wellness Technology can be loosely defined as the spectrum of wearables, apps, online tools and embedded systems designed to measure, track, motivate, and otherwise contribute to the wellness of individuals, and fueling the practitioners and businesses who support them.
Videos
Infographics
- Wearable Technology Infographic by Vandrico
Student Groups
- Cal Poly Center for Health Research - Center for Solutions Through Research in Diet & Exercise
- PolyFit - A group of students who are passionate about health care and provide both students and the community with tests to measure personal health and strength.
- Biotechnology Club - educates members about the wide application of biotechnology in industrial, medical, and agricultural fields.
Programs and Courses
- BIO/CHEM 202: Orientation to Biotechnology - Introduction to the diversity of fields in biotechnology. Applications in agriculture, nutrition, medicine, and environmental problems. (Prerequisite: Completion of a course with a BIO, BOT or MCRO prefix and a course with a CHEM prefix.)
- IT 137: Electrical/Electronic Systems - Introduction to electrical and electronic circuit fundamentals. Essential information for technical managers regarding the universal law, theory, principles, application, and troubleshooting of AC and DC circuits and devices. Familiarity with concepts used extensively in manufacturing/ production and countless electronic products.
Professional Connections
Internship Opportunities
Example Job Titles
- Firmware Graphics Engineer
- Industrial Designer
- Program Manager, Field Testing
- Research Scientist
- Software Testing