Exploring Careers in Health?

Are you trying to figure out if a health career is the right career path for you? Pursuing a health career is a big decision, so we recommend gathering ample information to help you make an informed decision. Check out some of the resources below to help with that process:

ExploreHealthCareers.org: The first step in deciding whether a health career is the right fit for you is knowing what different kinds of career paths are available. Utilize the Career Explorer on ExploreHealthCareers.org to learn about the wide range of careers in the health industry. Pay attention to aspects of each job option like the skills required, education requirements, working conditions, and projected salary.

Shadowing and Informational Interviewing: One of the best ways to learn about a potential career is to experience the day-to-day of what the job is like. Shadowing health practitioners can help you to learn first-hand about the exciting and challenging aspects of careers you might be interested in. After shadowing, take some time to reflect on what you thought and felt during the experience. See our previous blog post about how to find shadowing opportunities for more information.

If time is a constraint, you could also consider conducting brief informational interviews with health practitioners. In an informational interview, you are able to ask someone in your career field of choice questions about what the job is like and gain advice about how to succeed in the profession.

Values Analysis: Practitioners in health careers often hold career values such as helping others, lifelong learning, working in a fast-paced environment, and working on teams. Health careers also often require long hours and pursuing advanced education. We recommend that you take time to list the job qualities you value most, and think about whether the health profession you are considering aligns with those values.

For an in-depth values analysis, schedule an appointment with the KSU Career Center to complete the Career Values Card Sort.

For more information, see: Is a Health Career Right for You? and O*Net Online Work Values

Visit with a Pre-Health Advisor: Deciding on a health career often comes with many practical questions, such as what prerequisite coursework you would need to complete, what extracurriculars you would need to pursue to become a competitive applicant, and what the application process is like. Contact the KSU Pre-Professional Advising Center to connect with a Pre-Health Advisor who can help answer these questions and more.