Do your friends turn to you for health advice?  Do you enjoy cooking healthy meals? Or are you looking to prepare yourself for a career in the health industry?  If any of these sound like you, you should consider becoming a peer health educator through HealthWorks. 

HealthWorks is a three semester commitment for University Park students.  It requires one semester of training and two semesters of service on the UP campus. Training includes a three-credit class through the Department of Biobehavioral Health (BBH) during the Fall semester.  The course covers topics that will be helpful in your role as a peer health educator, like: health promotion theories and strategies and health issues, including alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, nutrition, physical activity, sleep and stress. Weekly meetings and outreach activities continue during the spring semester.

HealthWorks volunteers become active on campus, helping to coordinate and execute Safer Sex Parties and HIV test counseling.  Their various outreach activities raise awareness about topics like flu prevention, sustainability, and body image. Past projects have included campus walking maps, healthy cooking tutorial videos, and a healthy options cookbook that features fresh produce in its recipes.

Students interested in HealthWorks can apply by visiting http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/wellness/healthWorks.shtml starting Feb. 2.  The application window will be open until March 6.