So, What Can You Do with a
BBH Degree?
By,
Sandy McDonough, MS, CGC
BBH Graduate ’98
Goals of Presentation
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Undergraduate Experiences
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Post-College
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The “In-Between” Stage
Graduate School
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Planning for the Future
Focused Studies
The Real World
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Finding the Right Job
Undergraduate
Professional/Volunteer Work
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Externship
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Internship
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Johnson & Johnson Health/Wellness
BBH Department
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Community Hospital, Planning Department
Research Assistant, Behavioral Pharmacology Lab
Volunteer
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Community Hospital, Public Relations & Marketing
Sample Resume:
Education
EDUCATION: BS in Biobehavioral Health with Minors in Spanish and Psychology
The Pennsylvania State University  University Park, PA
May ‘98
Current GPA: 3.75 of 4.0, Dean’s List each semester
Relevant Courses
Research and Applications in Biobehavioral Health
Physiology
Planning and Development of Health Education Programs
Genetics
Spanish for Social Services
Epidemiology
Sample Resume:
Professional Experience
Health & Wellness Intern
May ’97 – August ’97
Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters  New Brunswick, NJ
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Developed skills in fitness center supervision.
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Conducted fitness assessments, facility tours, and exercise programs.
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Designed and led safe, effective group exercise classes for a variety of fitness levels.
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Planned, promoted, implemented, and evaluated a health promotion program.
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Coordinated a Health Fair for over 1,800 employees.
Research Assistant
March ’96 – May ’97
Behavioral Pharmacology Lab  The Pennsylvania State University  University Park, PA
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Recorded and analyzed Centers for Disease Control data on cigarette smoking.
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Compiled and logged data for research projects.
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Worked collaboratively with research team in analyzing data sets.
Extern
January ’97
Planning Department  Saint Barnabas Health Care System  Toms River, NJ
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Shadowed Director of Planning during administrative meetings, task force, and community outreach programs.
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Oversaw the daily operations of a health care system.
Volunteer
June ’96 – August ’96
Public Relations and Marketing  Community/Kimball Health Care System  Toms River, NJ
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Wrote press releases collaboratively with Public Relations Specialist.
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Researched hospital marketing and promotion strategies
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Assisted in updating physician directory and arranging promotional mailings.
First Job:
Fox Chase Cancer Center
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Research Study Assistant, Department of
Psychosocial & Behavioral Medicine
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Interviewed colorectal and prostate cancer
survivors about long-term medical and
psychosocial issues
Facilitated discussion sessions for couples
coping with breast cancer
Applying to Graduate School
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GRE Preparation
Gained Counseling Experience
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Bereavement Volunteer
Course Prerequisites
Shadowed Genetic Counselor
Letters of Recommendations
What Is A Genetic Counselor?
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Work with individuals or families at risk for or
diagnosed with a genetic condition
Provide information and supportive counseling
Coordinate testing
Connect families with community resources
Involved in teaching, research, screening
programs, coordination of support groups
Where Do Genetic Counselors Work?
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Work with MD or PhD Geneticists
Part of a team of specialists
Work in large medical centers or hospitals,
usually in departments of pediatrics and
obstetrics
Some work in research, public health or in
private commercial laboratories
Private Practice
What Kind of Education and
Training are Required?
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Undergraduate degrees in biology, genetics, nursing,
psychology, public health, social work, or a related
biological science
*Broad based educational backgrounds
Interest in and knowledge of basic genetics and some
counseling experiences
Skills in communications, listening and counseling
Must complete a master’s degree from a training
program
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Courses focusing on genetics, psychosocial theory, and
counseling techniques
Graduate School:
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
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Masters of Science in Genetic Counseling
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Coursework: Embryology, Biochemistry, Medical/Clinical/Human
Genetics, Biostatistics, Bioethics, Psychology
Thesis: Perceived Risk and Communication of Genetic
Information in Families with Colorectal Cancer
Research Assistant, Colon Disease Family Registry
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Conducted interviews about personal, family, medical, and
psychosocial histories
Constructed family pedigrees and made referrals for genetic
counseling services for hereditary colon cancer syndromes
Genetic Counseling:
St. Barnabas Medical Center
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Maternal-Fetal Medicine
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Provided prenatal counseling in high volume setting
Took detailed family and medical histories
Offered and coordinated genetic testing
Explained test result
Provided ongoing psychosocial support and resources
to patients
Provided documentation and medical management
recommendations to patients and referring
obstetricians
From Clinical to Corporate:
Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc
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Meet with New York City physicians and genetic
counselors to provide education, implement new
genetic testing programs, and increase
utilization of cancer genetic testing
Raise awareness of availability and clinical utility
of genetic testing for physicians and patients
through hospital-based outreach events
Inherited Cancers Overview
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Up to 10% of all cancers are inherited
Clinical tests
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Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer: BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer: MLH1 and MSH2
genes
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: APC gene
Hereditary Melanoma: p16 gene
Benefits of Genetic Testing
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Personalized Risk Assessment/Clarify Risk for the Family
Medical Management Decisions/Cancer Prevention
Reduce Stress and Anxiety
You Have to Start Somewhere
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Have Realistic Expectations
Have a Resume & Cover Letter Ready
Get Experience
Keys to Success
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Networking
Put in the Time/Research
Be Proactive
Take Advantage of Resources
Be Open Minded
Take Small, Manageable Steps
Find a Balance
Genetics Resources
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National Society of Genetic Counselors
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Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc.
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www.myriadtests.com
March of Dimes
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www.nsgc.org
www.marchofdimes.com
Genetics Education Center
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www.kumc.edu/gec
Job Resources
 Penn
State Career Services
 www.sa.psu.edu/career
BBH APG (Affiliate Program Group)
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Connect with Alumni
 Website: http://bbh.hhdev.psu.edu/apgcontact.asp
 Email: bbhapg@yahoo.com
Get Involved, Make Suggestions
Build Your Alumni Society!