Experience and Opportunities in Health Care Careers
Dear Counselor, I just recently became a certified medical assistant, but I have no experience in the medical field. Do you have any suggestions on helping me find opportunities?
Answer:
If employers seem hesitant to hire you because of a lack of experience, then you should try getting involved in healthcare in any way possible. Hospitals and clinics are always looking for volunteers – if you could volunteer at one (for even just one hour a week), not only will you build up your history of hands-on experience but you’ll establish contacts (knowing people is key in any industry).
You should also look into setting up some informational interviews. At an informational interview, you’re not necessarily interviewing for a specific position but it’s really more of an opportunity for you to interview professionals in the field. You can ask them questions about what it’s like to work in the field, how to get that first job, tips for being successful, etc. Not only do you gather lots of helpful info but again, it’s a great way to network with professionals.
Contact hospitals or clinics and ask them about setting these up. Finally, seek help from the career services center at the school you attended. Inquire about job placement services or see if they have any alumni that they can get you in touch with.
Dear Counselor, I am a freshman in high school, and I’ve wanted to do something in the medical field since shadowing a physical therapist. My only problem is that I do not know what major I should pursue. I heard about a pre-physical therapy major but I wasn’t sure if there were others that would help me in my career. How do I find a good major for physical therapy?
Answer:
Many students major in one of the sciences with the most common one being biology. Other popular majors include kinesiology, psychology, and general sciences. You’ll want to maximize the number of science classes you take – anatomy, chemistry, biomechanics, physiology, kinesiology, and biology are all extremely helpful. They’ll best prepare you for the coursework you’ll face in your physical therapy program.
You can start preparing now by taking a lot of science electives in high school. Also consider getting some additional exposure to the physical therapy field. Volunteer at a hospital or clinic to gain hands-on experience. And keep in touch with the people in the field that you meet – having contacts is always helpful.
Dear Counselor, I want to become a doctor, but I’m concerned with the amount of coursework. What would a medical education path resemble?
Answer:
Being an extremely hard worker is probably the most vital component. During your undergraduate years, your level of commitment to medicine will be key. Admission to med school is competitive so it’s important that you do very will in your courses. It’s also important to do well on the MCAT and to be able to demonstrate an interest in the medical community (i.e. through volunteering or some sort of activity). In med school, the coursework will be challenging and the standards for passing your exams will be very high.
If you’re still in high school, it is good to get into the habit of taking challenging courses and excelling in them. Take as many science classes as you can to prepare you for your undergrad. If you have the passion and the dedication, you should do well.
Dear Counselor, I just finished high school last May and I moved to NYC for nursing school. However, my circumstances have changed, and I can no longer pursue a nursing degree. Are there similar opportunities in the healthcare field?
Answer:
Luckily, there are plenty of options for people in the health care field, all with varying requirements for education. One option is a career as a medical assistant. Medical assistants work directly with patients and they perform a number of the same duties as nurses. The training moves at a quick speed, which means you’ll be out and working in the field sooner.
After working for some time, you can always go back to school to pursue additional training. And if you do return to school to become an RN, having a background in medical assisting will help you immensely. Review our medical assistant career profile to get more details about possible schools, the type of education and requirements you may need.
