Many freshman students start out college undeclared; they aren’t sure what they want to major in and hope to use their first year to find something they want to study. Unfortunately, many students take up to two years to decide on a major; and they may even switch several times up into their junior year. This wastes a lot of time and money, and can significantly delay graduation.
If you have no idea what you want to major in, one option you might consider is taking time off from college. If taking a break isn’t an option for you, research and finding a major you can be passionate about should be your number one priority. The sooner you declare a major you want to stick with, the more you can focus on taking the classes you need to graduate, allowing you to stay on track to graduate on time.
This feature on less traditional careers in healthcare is one in a continuing series of “Undeclared” posts. Other majors that have been explored include information technology, counseling, public health, business management, social work, healthcare administration, web development, cyber security and education.
Earning a Degree in Healthcare
Working in the healthcare industry is admirable. Now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry has become even more important than ever. But, it’s not just doctors and nurses that are needed in order for the industry to flow. If you have a passion for helping people, there are a variety of different healthcare careers that may be considered “less traditional,” but are no less important.
Have you ever heard of a perfusionist or a wound-care specialist? There are plenty of specialty careers within the medical field that will always need qualified individuals. Plus, many of these jobs don’t require the same amount of schooling as it takes to become a doctor or nurse. So, you can start taking care of people sooner.
Whether you’re interested in educating others about their health and wellbeing or you want to help the public in times of need, especially in light of the recent pandemic, there are plenty of opportunities for unique careers that you may not have thought of before. Let’s look at a few of those options so you can start further exploring your passions within the medical field.
Healthcare IT Professional
Advancements in technology are one of the biggest reasons why the healthcare industry has seen continued growth and a need for more workers. Many times, it’s the “behind-the-scenes” workers that make such a big difference in how well a medical facility runs. Healthcare IT professionals are no exception.
In fact, healthcare is the first field listed when it comes to industries looking for qualified IT workers. This is due to advancements like:
- The growth of telehealth
- Digitizing patient data
- Wearable devices for patients
- Keeping sensitive medical data safe
Healthcare IT professionals are responsible for keeping computer systems running smoothly. This allows other healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, and specialists to focus solely on patient care and provide the best possible services to people who need them most.
Instead of focusing on a degree in healthcare, you can earn a degree in IT and still work within the medical industry. The average salary of a healthcare IT worker in the U.S. is currently over $71,000 per year.
Medical Researcher
This year has been one of the most important in recent history for medical research. It was medical researchers who worked tirelessly to come up with vaccine options for COVID-19. The job of a medical researcher is to use a variety of investigative methods to improve overall human health. Medical researchers are often responsible for finding cures and treatments for different diseases and advancing existing treatments.
Again, this is often considered to be a “behind-the-scenes” career, but it’s one of the most important within the healthcare industry. Without the right research and clinical trials, we wouldn’t have cures or treatments for virtually anything. If the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that continued research into how viruses and other diseases work is incredibly important to prevent things like this from happening again.
Medical researchers can also look into different medical phenomena, trying to find new methods of treating things or discovering new things about the human body that were unknown before.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical researchers/scientists make nearly $89,000 per year, and most have a Ph.D. in biology or another related life science.
Careers in Alternative Medicine
If you have a direct interest in helping patients and treating people, but you don’t think becoming a traditional doctor or nurse is right for you, you may want to consider alternative medicine opportunities. One of the most popular options is a career in holistic health.
Holistic doctors focus on a whole-body approach to healthcare, and they are dedicated to not only treating physical ailments, but helping with overall wellness of the mind, body, and soul. Options for holistic positions include:
- Osteopath: A holistic doctor who works with the musculoskeletal system
- Integrative physician: A licensed physician who combines traditional medicine with alternative options
- Ayurvedic doctor: A doctor who uses alternative methods like diet, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes to help patients with illnesses
- Naturopathic doctor: A doctor trained in naturopathic medicine who combines holistic approaches, Western medicine, and natural remedies to treat patients
There are many other career opportunities in alternative medicine, and many of them are backed by science with a combination of specific beliefs or traditions. According to the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges, a naturopathic doctor can make anywhere from $80,000 to $90,000 each year. Other careers in holistic health vary when it comes to salary.
As you can see, there is no shortage of careers in the healthcare industry that might not immediately jump to mind. This is only a short list, but there are many others depending on your passion and the amount of schooling you’re willing to take. If you have a desire to help people and you’ve always been interested in medicine, try looking at some of the lesser-known careers that can make just as much of an impact.
