Healthcare Career Paths
Healthcare is a vast and dynamic field offering a wide range of majors tailored to various interests and skills. Here’s an overview of different healthcare majors, what they involve, and the careers they lead to, helping you choose the right path based on your preferences.
Nursing
What It Is: Nursing focuses on patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention.
What They Do: Nurses provide direct patient care, administer medications, and educate patients and families about health conditions.
Ideal For: Those with a passion for helping others, strong communication skills, and the ability to work in high-pressure environments.
Major: Nursing (BSN)
Careers: Registered Nurse (RN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Nurse Anesthetist
Medicine (Pre-Med)
What It Is: Pre-med programs prepare students for medical school and a career as a physician. What They Do: Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, perform surgeries, and provide preventative care.
Ideal For: Individuals with a strong interest in science, excellent problem-solving skills, and a desire to work directly with patients.
Major: Pre-Medical Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry
Careers: Physician, Surgeon, Medical Researcher
Pharmacy
What It Is: Pharmacy focuses on the preparation and dispensing of medications.
What They Do: Pharmacists counsel patients on medication use, manage prescriptions, and provide health advice.
Ideal For: Those with strong attention to detail, a background in chemistry, and an interest in patient education.
Major: Pharmacy (PharmD), Pharmaceutical Sciences
Careers: Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Researcher
Physical Therapy
What It Is: Physical therapy involves the treatment of patients to improve movement and manage pain.
What They Do: Physical therapists develop treatment plans to help patients recover from injuries and improve mobility.
Ideal For: Individuals interested in anatomy and physiology, and who enjoy working closely with patients to achieve physical goals.
Major: Physical Therapy (DPT), Kinesiology, Exercise Science
Careers: Physical Therapist, Sports Therapist, Rehabilitation Specialist
Occupational Therapy
What It Is: Occupational therapy helps individuals develop or regain the skills needed for daily living and working.
What They Do: Occupational therapists work with patients to improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily lives.
Ideal For: Those who are creative, patient, and interested in helping others improve their quality of life.
Major: Occupational Therapy (OTD), Psychology, Human Development
Careers: Occupational Therapist, Rehabilitation Consultant, Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Public Health
What It Is: Public health focuses on the prevention of disease and the promotion of health within communities.
What They Do: Public health professionals develop policies, conduct research, and implement health programs.
Ideal For: Individuals interested in community health, policy-making, and research.
Major: Occupational Therapy (OTD), Psychology, Human Development
Careers: Occupational Therapist, Rehabilitation Consultant, Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Health Administration
What It Is: Health administration involves managing healthcare facilities and services.
What They Do: Health administrators oversee operations, manage staff, and ensure efficient delivery of healthcare services.
Ideal For: Those with strong leadership skills, a knack for organization, and an interest in the business side of healthcare.
Major: Health Administration, Healthcare Management, Business Administration
Careers: Health Services Manager, Hospital Administrator, Health Policy Manager
Medical Laboratory Science
What It Is: Medical laboratory science focuses on the analysis of body fluids and tissues to diagnose diseases.
What They Do: Medical laboratory scientists conduct tests, analyze results, and assist in diagnosing medical conditions.
Ideal For: Individuals with a strong background in biology and chemistry, and who enjoy working in a laboratory setting.
Major: Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Science
Careers: Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Pathologist’s Assistant
Radiologic Technology
What It Is: Radiologic technology involves using imaging techniques to diagnose and treat diseases.
What They Do: Radiologic technologists operate imaging equipment and work closely with radiologists.
Ideal For: Those interested in technology, anatomy, and working in a clinical environment.
Major: Radiologic Technology, Medical Imaging, Radiography
Careers: Radiologic Technologist, MRI Technologist, Radiation Therapist
Dentistry (Pre-Dent)
What It Is: Pre-dent programs prepare students for dental school and a career as a dentist. What They Do: Dentists diagnose and treat oral health issues, perform surgeries, and provide preventative care.
Ideal For: Individuals with strong manual dexterity, a passion for oral health, and an interest in patient care.
Major: Pre-Dental Studies, Biology, Chemistry
Careers: Dentist, Orthodontist, Oral Surgeon
Nutrition and Dietetics
What It Is: Nutrition and dietetics focus on the role of food and nutrition in health.
What They Do: Dietitians and nutritionists provide dietary advice, develop nutrition programs, and promote healthy eating habits.
Ideal For: Those passionate about food, health, and helping others make informed dietary choices.
Major: Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science
Careers: Dietitian, Nutritionist, Clinical Dietitian
Respiratory Therapy
What It Is: Respiratory therapy involves treating patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders.
What They Do: Respiratory therapists assess and treat patients with respiratory issues, often working in intensive care units.
Ideal For: Individuals interested in pulmonary health, critical care, and patient interaction.
Major: Respiratory Therapy, Cardiopulmonary Science
Careers: Respiratory Therapist, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist, Sleep Disorder Specialist
Look into the various career paths each healthcare major offers and then evaluate your strengths in subjects like biology, chemistry, and anatomy. Also think about your soft skills, such as communication, empathy, and attention to detail. Consider where you see yourself working in the future. You can also look into volunteer opportunities, internships, or job shadowing in healthcare settings to get a feel for different roles. These steps should help you make the decision that is right for you.