When you think of a career in the health industry it’s common to think of roles such as doctors, dentists, nurses and physios. Whilst these are a big part of the industry, there are a whole range of other roles that help improve people’s health and wellbeing.
Consider your interests and passions and ask yourself, what motivates me? What are my skills? What careers in health are aligned with that? Do you like working with individuals, groups or using data to understand large segments of society?
Do you want to travel? Due to constant global demand, a career in health can potentially set you up to work anywhere in the world.
Work in the health sector is available in a range of settings from Hospitals, Community organisations and Private healthcare practices to Diagnostics and testing and Biodesign, and biomedical engineering and innovation
Reflect on what draws you to your dream career. Is it the thrill of problem-solving, the opportunity for one-on-one clinical interactions, the chance to improve health outcomes, or the aspiration of running your own practice one day?
Think about all the times you’ve come across healthcare in your life – where do you fit in?
- One-on-One Clinical Contact: If you're passionate about one-on-one clinical contact and improving individual health, consider fields like Podiatric Medicine, Optometry, Exercise Physiology, or Audiology. These professions provide opportunities to directly impact individuals' well-being.
- Front-Line Health Care: Pharmacy is an ever-evolving profession, with pharmacists increasingly playing a front-line healthcare role. People often seek advice from pharmacists before consulting a GP. This career is people-focused and contributes significantly to community health.
- Problem-Solving: If you thrive on tackling challenges, consider a career in medical research or biomedical engineering. Engage in ground-breaking research that contributes to new cures, medications, or innovative diagnostic tools to enhance healthcare outcomes.
- Clinical Pathology: Clinical pathologists are instrumental in the early diagnosis of various diseases, including cancer. This field involves analysing specimens to identify disease causes, making it a crucial part of healthcare.
- Create Positive Change: If you feel passionate about making a difference, leverage your communication and interpersonal skills to advocate for and improve the lives of individuals, families, communities and organisations as a Social Worker.
- The Bigger Picture: For those interested in the broader healthcare landscape, consider paths like Public Health or Science Communications. Public Health professionals focus on the health of entire communities, engaging in policy-making and public communications. Science communicators educate the public on scientific matters, including healthcare.
- Avoid Assumptions: Lastly, avoid automatically choosing Dentistry or Medicine as second choices for each other. Take the time to understand these distinct careers fully. While they might be viable second options, there may be other fields that align better with your passions and interests.
Remember, your journey in healthcare is diverse and filled with possibilities. Keep an open mind and you’ll find your way to a fulfilling and impactful career.
