Healthcare careers are not only personally rewarding but also vital to society because of the profound impact healthcare professionals make on the lives of patients. If you're considering this path, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities. The future generation of healthcare professionals plays a crucial role in advancing medical care, making your interest in this field crucial and meaningful.

Healthcare also offers incredible versatility, with careers ranging from hands-on, skill-intensive roles like orthodontists, to more empathetic and patient-focused jobs like nurse aides. There are also many unique and emerging healthcare careers. For example, genetic counselors, who guide patients through genetic testing and assess for inherited conditions, and bioethicists, who explore the ethical dimensions of medicine and biotechnology.

While some healthcare roles involve direct patient care, others focus on behind-the-scenes work, such as clinical research or healthcare administration. Think about where your interests align, whether it’s working face-to-face with patients or driving discoveries in a lab.

Not sure if healthcare is the right fit? You can also consider alternative careers like public health advocacy, medical writing, or biotech innovation, where you will still contribute to life sciences and the betterment of others without pursuing clinical patient care.

Pursuing a career in healthcare can be expensive, but don't let the financial challenges deter you!

Scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs are available, especially for underrepresented groups. Exploring opportunities and consistently applying for programs that fit your needs can significantly reduce costs.

To get you started, here are some recommended scholarship search tools that you can use to find opportunities that best match your needs and goals:

- BigFuture Scholarship Search
- CareerOneStop
- Scholarships.com
- Scholy
- RaiseMe
- Appily.com
- FastWeb
- Higher Education Services Corporation

Additionally, you can find highly helpful lists of scholarships for healthcare students here, here, and here, as well as scholarships for students from underrepresented communities, minority students, and more.

You can also try searching for scholarships specific to your state or consult the financial aid office at your current school! Furthermore, focus on staying organized  and motivated when applying to multiple scholarships.

Feeling stuck or unsure where to begin? Career quizzes can help you identify roles that best fit your personality and interests. Although they shouldn’t be the sole determinator for your future career, these tools provide an excellent starting point for exploring healthcare paths based on your preferences.

Here are some links to career quizzes and guides:

- https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/self-assessments.aspx
- https://www.laboure.edu/quiz
- https://alliedhealthprograms.com/healthcare-career-quiz/
- https://missourihealthcareers.com/take-career-quiz/
- https://www.bcu.ac.uk/blog/health-professions/which-healthcare-career-is-right-for-me

NOTE: Some of the quizzes linked above will require an email address to send results.

A strong academic foundation is key to any healthcare career. Whether you’re in elementary school or high school and beyond, there are countless resources to help you on your journey! Having a strong foundation in math and writing, while also picking courses in areas like biology, chemistry, anatomy, and biochemistry will give you an edge. If possible, look through the course catalog of your school for unique science electives that you can use to explore specific career interests!

Check out these links to educational channels, free online courses, and other resources:

- Amoeba Sisters: Highly recommended as an approachable and fun way to learn introductory biology!
- NEJM Group: Here, you can explore clinical insights from one of the world's leading medical journals.
- The Organic Chemistry Tutor: A go-to resource for clear, step-by-step explanations of a vast variety of academic topics.
- Strong Medicine: Learn clinical medicine and evidence-based practices with easy-to-follow lectures.
- edX Courses: You can find tons of free courses that contain informative lectures, practice quizzes, and other content.
- Memrise: A helpful tool for remembering vocabulary. It’s intended to be a website for learning languages, but you can find vocab sets on various other topics, including many for medical terminology.
- Edukatico: Through this search tool, easily find online courses and recorded lectures across various subjects!
- Zygote Body: An interactive 3D anatomy tool.
- PhET Simulations: Free simulations that make learning science concepts more visual.

Although careers in healthcare are highly fulfilling, there are obviously challenges as well. In addition to the invaluable advice given by the healthcare professionals interviewed in Career Spotlights, Here are some general tips to guide you through your journey:

Explore your interests
Take time to discover which areas of healthcare excite you the most, whether it's patient care, research, or working behind the scenes. Be flexible and open-minded!

Shadow professionals
Gain insight into different roles by shadowing healthcare workers or volunteering in a medical setting. You'll be surprised at accessible opportunities in your area to get engaged in the medical field as a student.

Focus on academics
Build a strong foundation in science and math by taking courses like biology, chemistry, anatomy, and statistics. Don't be afraid to ask for help if needed, but also don't be too focused on being perfect and overstudy to the point of burning out.

Develop interpersonal skills
Healthcare is all about teamwork and communication. Practice empathy and clear communication whenever possible.

Stay curious
Healthcare is constantly evolving! Even now, you can keep up with relevant news, technology, and research to stay informed and inspired.

Seek mentors
Find professionals or professors who can guide you, answer questions, and provide valuable advice.

Build resilience
Healthcare can be demanding. Learn to manage stress and balance work and personal life. self-care is key!

Embrace diversity
Appreciate different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. This understanding will help you connect better with patients and colleagues.

Get hands-on experience
Volunteer at hospitals, clinics, or community organizations to gain practical skills and insights into healthcare work.

Be open-minded
There are so many roles in healthcare. stay open to paths you might not have considered, from physical therapy to medical research.

Be patient with yourself
The journey to a healthcare career can be long and challenging. Take it one step at a time, and don’t rush the process.

Stay ethical and compassionate
Your care and integrity are just as important as your knowledge and skills. Remind yourself of why you're pursuing a career in healthcare in the first place!

Diversity in healthcare is vital, as bringing unique perspectives together fosters innovation and better patient care. Representation has improved over the years, but disparities remain and there is more work to do. For instance, some underserved communities lack access to culturally competent care, which is vital for patient comfort and successful treatment.

Additionally, explore the financial aid resources mentioned earlier to identify opportunities tailored to underrepresented groups. While challenges may arise, remember that your voice and contributions are invaluable to creating a diverse and inclusive healthcare environment.

Here are some ways you can further the mission for inclusivity and diversity in healthcare:

Educate yourself and others
Learn about the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in healthcare and share this knowledge with peers. Awareness is the first step toward change.

Advocate for equitable access
Support initiatives that aim to reduce disparities in healthcare access and resources for underserved communities.

Mentor and inspire
If you’re already in a healthcare setting, or even just volunteering to help teach and guide younger students, mentor individuals from diverse backgrounds to help them navigate their paths into healthcare careers.

Promote cultural competence
Embrace discussions that foster understanding of different cultural practices and beliefs. Encourage open conversations about how to improve inclusivity in your workplace or school.

Engage in outreach
Volunteer or organize programs in schools or communities to inspire underrepresented groups to pursue healthcare careers.

Celebrate diversity
Recognize and celebrate the contributions of healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds. Representation matters!

Stay informed
Keep up with research and policies related to diversity in healthcare!

Many healthcare careers suffer from shortages or are less appreciated despite their importance.

For example, according to the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, there is a high turnover rate for EMTs and paramedics due to low wages, a lack of work-life balance, and burnout among other factors. These first responders play a critical role in emergencies, greatly affect the outcome of major accidents and disasters.

Another such career is geriatrics. According to the American Geriatrics Society, by 2030, the U.S. will need 30,000 geriatricians, but only 6,500 are expected to be available. The rapidly aging population is driving this demand, yet being a geriatrician remains a less popular specialty.

Other careers that are projected to have high demand but are currently facing shortages include sleep specialists, due to growing awareness of the importance of sleep health, and pulmonologists with the rising cases of respiratory disease and post-COVID-19 compilations.

Why pursue these careers?

Underappreciated careers offer unique rewards, including opportunities to address pressing healthcare challenges and make meaningful contributions to patients and society. By pursuing these roles and raising awareness of their importance, you can help fill critical gaps in the healthcare system while also finding personal fulfillment.