The healthcare field includes numerous professions, each with unique educational requirements, practice settings, and career trajectories. We're here to guide you toward graduate-level health professions programs, including:
Anesthesiology Assistant • Athletic Training • Audiology • Chiropractic • Dentistry • Genetic Counseling
Medicine (MD/DO) • Nursing • Occupational Therapy • Optometry • Pharmacy • Physical Therapy
Physician Assistant • Podiatry • Public Health • Speech-Language Pathology • Veterinary Medicine
Gaining Experience
Through courses, co-curricular activities, volunteering, shadowing, internships, and other experiences, you will help clarify your values, skills, and interests to determine which health professions career you're best suited for.
Finding Your Fit: Key Questions to Consider
Choosing a health profession is a profoundly personal decision. As you explore your options, reflect on these essential factors:
Your Strengths and Interests:
- What subjects energize you? (biology, chemistry, psychology, physics, math, etc.)
- What areas of healthcare interest you?
- What motivates you?
- What skills do you want to develop? (problem-solving, communication, manual skills, research, etc.)
- Are you drawn to direct patient interaction or behind-the-scenes healthcare roles?
- What type of impact do you want to make? (individual patients, communities, research, policy)
Your Lifestyle Preferences:
- What level of education and training do you envision pursuing for your career goals?
- What work environment appeals to you? (hospitals, clinics, schools, labs, outdoors, etc.)
- Do you prefer predictable schedules or varied workdays?
- What lifestyle factors matter most to you? (work-life balance, schedule flexibility, earning potential, geographic mobility)
Resources for Career Exploration:
- Explore Health Careers: Detailed profiles of 100+ health professions, including day-in-the-life scenarios, educational requirements, and salary information.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Official employment projections, median salaries, and job market trends for all health professions.
- O*NET Online: Comprehensive database of occupational information including detailed descriptions of tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities, work activities, and work context for health professions.
- Professional Organizations: Most health professions have dedicated organizations offering career information, networking opportunities, and student resources.
Please meet with an HPA advisor to discuss your interests.