Portland, OR—October 12, 2026—American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) recently hosted its second annual Virtual Career Summit, connecting ACHS students and alumni with wellness industry insights, professional development strategies, career resources, and entrepreneurship guidance to support their next steps.
The annual Career Summit reflects ACHS’s continued commitment to supporting students throughout their education and beyond graduation. The summit comes as the global wellness economy continues to expand. According to the Global Wellness Institute’s 2025 Global Wellness Economy Monitor, the sector reached $6.8 trillion in 2024 and is projected to grow 7.6% annually through 2029. ACHS’s summit focused on practical career preparation within this evolving field, including communicating professional skills, exploring career pathways, and planning a wellness business.
The 2026 event brought together ACHS faculty and career professionals to help participants explore career pathways in health and wellness, strengthen practical career skills, and consider how their education and interests may connect with their professional goals.
“We see career development as an important part of the student journey at ACHS,” said Ilana Rose Frigaard, Chief Operating Officer at ACHS. “The Career Summit gives students and alumni an opportunity to explore career pathways, strengthen professional skills, learn from experts, and identify practical next steps based on their individual goals.”
Exploring Career Pathways in Health and Wellness
The 2026 Career Summit opened with Dr. Patricia Kaufman, Dean of Integrative Health and Nutrition at ACHS, who presented Career Pathways and Industry Trends. The session explored trends shaping the health and wellness field and encouraged participants to consider how their education, interests, and skills may connect with different professional pathways.
Career development professionals Celia Strangone and Anthony Sharp from Career Team then led a session focused on resumes, personal branding, and LinkedIn. Participants received practical guidance for communicating their skills and experience, strengthening their professional presence, and preparing for future career opportunities.
The Summit also addressed entrepreneurship in the wellness field. In From Passion to Practice: Building a Successful Wellness Business, ACHS Assistant Professor Jimmy Godard shared insights for students and alumni interested in developing a wellness business or professional practice.
The event concluded with resources and next steps participants can use as they continue developing their individual career plans.
Supporting Career Development Beyond Graduation
The Career Summit is one part of the broader career development resources available to ACHS students and alumni.
Through ACHS Career & Alumni Services, students and graduates can access career planning support, resume and cover letter assistance, interview preparation, professional development resources, networking opportunities, and business planning support.
ACHS students and alumni also have access to Handshake, a career platform where they can build professional profiles, explore jobs and internships, connect with employers, and access career resources and events. ACHS launched Handshake for students and alumni in 2026, expanding access to career development resources and employer connections.
Together, these resources support ACHS’s approach to career development as an ongoing process that can begin while students are enrolled and continue after graduation.
“Career goals evolve, and the support students need can evolve with them,” said Frigaard. “We want students to know they can begin using career resources while they are in school and continue connecting with ACHS as alumni.”
Connecting Education With Professional Goals
The second annual Virtual Career Summit builds on ACHS’s wider efforts to connect education with career exploration and professional development.
ACHS continues to expand career-focused programming, employer and industry connections, professional development resources, and alumni engagement opportunities to help students and graduates explore how their education, interests, and skills align with their professional goals.
Students are encouraged to connect with ACHS Career & Alumni Services early in their academic journey to begin exploring career pathways, developing professional materials, building connections, and identifying goals before graduation.
About American College of Healthcare Sciences
Founded in 1978, American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) is an accredited online institution specializing in integrative health and wellness education. ACHS offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral education across areas including integrative health, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, aromatherapy, and related health and wellness disciplines.
ACHS is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). As a Certified B Corporation® and People and Planet First Verified, ACHS is dedicated to advancing sustainable and ethical practices while preparing graduates for success in the evolving wellness workforce.
For questions about this press release or to schedule an interview, please contact Tracey Abell at [email protected].
