Dear Students,
The internet is remarkable. Unlike most of you, I remember when it didn’t exist (this week I get a chance to wear my Old Man Hat). Before the age of the internet, searching for information was often a challenge. When I tried to learn about potential graduate schools, it wasn’t easy. A few brochures I could request by mail, posters on bulletin boards in the halls between classes, and a handful of summary publications in the library were available.
But on the whole, the best a prospective grad student could hope for was to know someone who went to a particular school and talk to them about their experience. That wasn’t always an easy person to find. Now there is information everywhere. Schools provide vast amounts of information online, ranging from broad overviews to incredibly detailed descriptions of curriculum. This is true for graduate and professional programs alike.
Despite all of this information everywhere, it is still critical to talk to people face to face. There is something about someone answering your questions in person that can be particularly productive. This is especially true when you are in search of personal answers.
That’s why I want to let you know about the upcoming Health Professions Fair.
The Health Professions Office has an awesome webpage, but the HP Fair is an opportunity to meet and talk face to face with admissions representatives from 80+ professional schools that include practically every health professions school in the state and many more from across the country. It would be impossible for most of you to visit every school, so we bring the schools to you! UT Austin students, alumni, and interested community members who are interested in finding out more about the health professions career pathway are welcome to attend.
When: Wednesday February 25th, 2015; 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Where: The Recreational Sports Center Gymnasium (RSC 2.200). Business casual attire suggested.
Find a list of participating programs on the HPO website: https://cns.utexas.edu/health-professions/events-workshops/health-professions-fair
Also: we are looking for student volunteers for this event. If you would like to take advantage of this great opportunity to get involved, click here to volunteer at the HP Fair. Shifts are 1-1.5 hours long (longer if you have the time and interest!) and we can work around your schedule. The following shifts are available: 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. (Breakfast will be provided), 9-11 a.m., 11-1:00 p.m. (Lunch will be provided) and the last shift runs 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. You will need to complete an online orientation prior to volunteering.
Sign up to volunteer by 5 p.m. on February 18th. If you have any questions, please email Terra Ousley at Terra.Ousley@austin.utexas.edu
Because despite all the information we have access to, it is still important to meet face to face, to shake someone’s hand, to have a conversation, and to make a personal connection. Best of all, the ability to check out that information online affords us the chance to come prepared and make the most of these in-person opportunities.
Best,
-Dr. Vanden Bout
P.S. As always, the weekly newsletter link is at the top of the email.
P.P.S. What is red and smells like blue paint? Red paint.
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