Getting Started in a Prevention Career
Learn about what a career in prevent looks like, see internship opportunities, find free courses, and learn the basics of starting a prevention career.
What does a Career in Prevention Look Like?
There is no one right way or one path to starting a career in prevention. As the following document indicates, many college majors and prevention aligned careers can be helpful to starting a prevention position.
College majors to consider: education, public health, health sciences, social work, communications/marketing, human services, psychology, youth development
Aligned careers: community health worker, educator, health care, social worker, recreation, counselor, after school program staff
Internship Opportunites
If you are still in college or have access to college courses, consider an internship opportunity in one of many majors. A list of college courses in the Vermont area with internships is available here.
Free Core Prevention courses
To learn more about prevention consider taking one of the following free introductory courses online.
Introduction to Substance Abuse Prevention: Understanding the Basics
This foundational course serves as the required, introductory module for the in-person Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST). This self-paced course offers practitioners new to the field of prevention, or working in related fields, an introduction to the history of prevention, key concepts and definitions, specific drug effects, and an exciting glimpse into the effects of substance use and addiction on the brain.
Participants will learn about: Basic terminology and facts; History of substance use and prevention in the United States; Addiction and the brain; and, Effects and health risks of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
This course was developed by the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC).
5.0 Hours Certificate of Completion Available
Prevention 101
This training will provide an introduction to substance misuse prevention and demonstrate how to use prevention concepts to support community change. Training topics will include:
- Vermont Prevention Model
- Strategic Prevention Framework
- Understanding risk and protective factors
For a Prevention 101 course near you, reach out to your regional Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use Prevention Consultant. In-person and virtual courses may be available. Find your regional Prevention Consultant here.
Sample Position Descriptions
Sometimes the best way to learn about a career is to review the position descriptions of current jobs. Please see the following examples for prevention positions.
Community Health Dept Prevention Coordinator
Prevention Program Coordinator