Prevention and Wellness Services : Lifestyle Advisors

Who are they?

Lifestyle Advisors work in collaboration with the professional staff of Prevention and Wellness Services to gain hands-on experience in leadership, group facilitation, public speaking, peer education, outreach and health specialty areas. Lifestyle Advisors are peer health leaders who increase the "health literacy" of Western's campus by working in one of a variety of health specialty areas: alcohol and drug risk reduction, CPR/First Aid, sexual health, promoting equality, body empowerment and general health, and violence prevention.

Qualifications?

No previous experience is required. The only "requirement" is the desire to be involved in being a healthy individual and creating a healthier community.

We typically ask these questions when we recruit:

• Are you committed to making a difference in your community?
• Do you care about health and well-being?
• Are you interested in leadership opportunities?
• Do you care about social justice and equality?
• Are you looking for quality training and practical work experience?
• Do you want an experience that can support your career and life plans?
• Do you want to connect with other students who care about these things?

We do ask that students have a 2.5 GPA. We want them to be successful academically and actively support all our Lifestyle Advisors to do well in their academic work.

Recommended experience?

If someone has had volunteer experience or leadership experiences before, that is a bonus.

Training?

• Complete HLED 250 "Health and the College Student: from Individual Health to Community Action" spring quarter;
• Complete fall training - students come back to attend eight working days in mid-September of intensive specialty topic training prior to the beginning of fall quarter.
• Attend weekly supervision meetings and in-service trainings throughout the academic year, and participate in 3-4 hours of volunteer service per week.

How many students are hired annually?

We usually admit between 50 to 60 new students per year.

Is the position paid?

This is an ALL volunteer program. However, the students do get four credits for taking the spring quarter foundations training class, HLED 250.

Where can people learn more?

Click here or call Prevention and Wellness Services at 360-650-2993 or the Director of Prevention and Wellness Services at 360-650-3643.

Deadlines?

• Recruitment begins January 4, 2011
• Students must attend a 30 minute information session to pick up an application (session dates, times and locations will be on all recruitment posters and other recruitment materials)
• Completed applications are due to OM 560 by 5 pm, Friday February 4th, 2011.