Studying health at a university offers more career choices than other fields, so whether you’re choosing your field for the first time or changing paths, it’s wise to do some planning first. As with any major, it’s important to research the careers available, so you’ll know what you’ll be studying and where to head for your classes. In addition to classes, you’ll need some experience, so look for internship or co-op opportunities.
Here Are Some Important Things to Take Note on Deciding Whether a Career in Health Is for You:
Many Careers Allow You to Work Part-Time And Still Make Money.
Health careers can be interesting, and while many require long hours, many careers allow you to work part-time and still make ample amounts of money. Many careers in health, primarily those in research, do not require that you make a weekly commitment. Furthermore, working as a nursing assistant, a certified medical assistant, or a licensed practical nurse can work part-time shift work. While full-time employees are preferred in these areas, part-time workers can still find work.
High Paid Careers in Health Require Degrees and Experience
Health careers can be very rewarding, but the ones that pay above-average require a specific level of education. For roles requiring a degree, expect no less than 4 years of education. Plus, you would most likely need to enroll in a postgraduate program so that you can enter the field more easily. Entry-level jobs without the help of a postgraduate program can be slightly more difficult to acquire, but its not impossible.
Health Careers Can Be Rewarding
Health careers can be very rewarding, and many careers are amazing and help people in their time of need. To be a nurse, doctor, dentist, pharmacist or surgeon means you have a skillset capable of saving someone’s life, easing someone’s pain, and changing their life permanently.
Health Careers Can Be Competitive
Healthcare jobs can be highly competitive for a variety of reasons. The primary reason is that many of the most popular careers and employers don’t have enough jobs to go around. So job seekers often believe that competition is the only way to secure employment. However, many sectors such as the care field have many jobs and not enough employees to go around. Casting a wider net in your job search may be better in these cases. By keeping up with industry news, listening to Health podcasts, and subscribing to different job boards, you could find a variety of jobs in the healthcare sector. These are jobs that might be perfect for you but generally go unnoticed because they are not traditionally popular.
Health Careers Can Be Tedious
Most health careers are challenging and come with long hours of hard work. A doctor might have to deal with patients who refuse treatment; a nurse may have the conditions of their assigned patients deteriorate suddenly; a dentist may have to overbook appointments to accommodate their clients; and so on. While most people find challenges like these rewarding to fulfil and overcome, others find it depressing, boring, frustrating, and exasperating.
Many people choose a health-related career because they want to help others. They know how to communicate well with patients, understand complex medical concepts, and value work-life balance. But without the right skills, the stresses of a healthcare career can be too much to handle.
