Exploring the various health professions is an essential first step and can help confirm which path is most suitable for you based on your preferences, values, lifestyle, and aptitude. Oftentimes, students enter college determined to be a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, etc. However, many are unaware of the other health professions that might be of interest to them. Spend a considerable amount of time exploring the health professions prior to committing to one path. It is a long path so you want to make sure it is the right one for you!
Understand WHY you want to pursue a health profession
Use the resources below to aid in your pre-health exploration journey.
How do you know if a health career is right for you? Answer these questions to start exploring if this would be a good fit!
- Why health?
- What kind of healthcare do I want to provide?
- Who do I want to provide this healthcare to?
- How do I want to provide this healthcare?
- Where do I want to provide this healthcare?
- Do I have strong scientific aptitude and motivation?
- What lifestyle do I envision?
- How long will it take?
- Am I competitive enough?
- Do I need additional training or education prior to applying?
- Is the cost of professional school worth what I want to do? (Return on investment: Debt accrual vs. Salary)
Explore Health Careers
For a more detailed look at many health professions, visit explorehealthcareers.org.Tips for Choosing a Health Profession
- Shadow a health professional in the field you have interest. This is the fastest way to determine if you want to commit to this path.
- Find a mentor in a health profession and conduct an informational interview.
- What made them choose this path?
- Had they considered other options?
- What is one thing they wish they knew prior to choosing this profession?
- Read and research various health professions.
Triton Career Guide
To help you uncover and strengthen the traits employers and academic institutions are looking for in prospective candidates, work through this guide from the Career Center.
Navigating the Health Professions Guide
Work through these pages to uncover your path and build your application to become a competitive candidate for medical school or any other health professional school.