Finding the right career path can be a huge challenge. When you are young, there is a consistently growing pressure to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life, starting as early as high school. This pressure never really stops. Even veterans of the workforce sometimes grow dissatisfied with their career choices and want to make a change.
There is nothing shameful about being confused about your professional future. The key to choosing the right job is finding something that you are passionate about and highlights your strengths. Perhaps you have a deep passion for caring for others. In this case, it might benefit you to pursue a career in healthcare.
The healthcare industry is a massive sector in the United States. It encompasses a broad range of career paths, making it possible for many types of personalities to find a home for their professional aspirations. Let’s discuss some of the career options in the healthcare space that you might be interested in.
Home Health Aide
When people are struggling to take care of themselves, but do not want to move to an assisted living facility, then they may opt to hire a home health aide. This person will help them with basic tasks like getting dressed, hygienic activities, and going out into the community. Technically, home health aides do not necessarily need a formal education in healthcare. However, it would be very beneficial for your prospects and for the client to obtain your CPR certification online.
Physician
A physician (doctor), is often one of the most well-known disciplines in the healthcare industry. They typically have the greatest amount of upward mobility in terms of salary, but it also means that it requires the highest level of education. Becoming a physician is hard work and takes years of schooling before you even start this very demanding job. However, you get the chance to treat and diagnose patients, often saving their lives.
Clinical Lab Technician
Are you excited about the idea of the science behind medical diagnosing and testing? Then a clinical lab technician role might be perfect for you. These people perform tests on fluids and tissue samples from patients to help doctors diagnose them. It is a critical service that is more behind the scenes, yet is nonetheless crucial to help people.
Pharmacist
Another high-paying job in healthcare is the role of a pharmacist. These professionals have extensive education when it comes to administering and prescribing drugs to patients. They know how drugs can interact with the body and other medications, so they can help patients make safe decisions about their health needs. Chemistry and anatomy are two important components of a pharmacist’s education, so a passion for these topics would be beneficial.
Physical Therapist
When people need help recovering from illnesses, injuries, or major surgeries, physical therapists can step in to help. Becoming a physical therapist requires a master’s and a doctorate, so the education path is long and arduous. The reward is a great salary and the chance to help people recover from physical ailments that have ruined their quality of life. Individuals on this career path should have little trouble getting connected to employers.
Registered Nurse
If you want to be on the front lines for patient care, then you can hardly beat becoming a registered nurse. They are responsible for physical care and emotional support in hospitals and clinics. A four-year degree is often enough to find a job as an RN, and the need for nurses is always very high, with over three million positions in the United States alone.
Dietician
Maybe you do not want to be involved in caring for people’s injuries and illnesses but rather their diets. When patients need a specialized diet plan for either recovery or general wellness, the assistance of a dietician is needed. You will have to learn the details of how food affects the body and the chemical processes involved. Once your four-year education is completed, you can make a fairly strong salary as a dietician.
If You Are Passionate About Caring for Others, Then Healthcare is the Perfect Industry
This list is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the career opportunities that exist in the healthcare sector. There are tons of other positions that you could pursue, including radiologist, veterinarian, surgeon, anesthesiologist, psychiatrist, dentist, and medical assistant. The variety of opportunities means that almost anyone could find a role to be passionate about.
The key to finding the right career path for yourself is figuring out what your strengths and passions are. Are you interested in chemistry? Then you could become a pharmacist or lab technician. Prefer to provide comfort for patients who are suffering? Then a psychiatrist or nurse may be a better role. Perhaps you could take some skill assessments or personality tests to find out what you are good at and choose a healthcare career path based on the results.