5 Reasons to Consider a Career in Healthcare
When you were younger, you might have spent hours daydreaming about what you would be when you grew up. Maybe you wanted to become a doctor, a lawyer or the president of the US. Now, you’re getting to the point in your life when it’s time to stop day dreaming and time to start making your career plans a reality. Even if a career as a doctor seems out of reach today, you might be interested in finding a fulfilling job in the healthcare industry.
As you start seriously thinking about your career path and options, here are a few reasons to consider working in healthcare.
1. Healthcare is Growing
At some point in their lives, everyone needs healthcare. As people get older, they are likely to need it more and more. An aging population and an increasing population are two of the reasons why healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the US.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the industry will add around 2.4 million jobs by 2026, more than any other occupational field. It predicts that the number of people employed in healthcare occupations will increase by 18% over the next few years[1]. Continued growth in the industry means plenty of opportunity for people who decide to pursue healthcare careers.
2. Healthcare Offers Flexibility
Another reason why a career in healthcare might be worthwhile is that the field offers some flexibility. You’ll be able to find healthcare jobs in any city or state in the US. That means that if you need to move at some point, you’ll most likely be able to easily find a new job where you end up.
Many healthcare careers also offer flexibility when it comes to work schedules. While there are plenty of 40-hour per week, 9 am to 5 pm jobs available, some are part time and some offer evening or overnight hours.
3. Healthcare Careers Offer Variety
Although people often think “doctor” or “nurse” when they think of healthcare careers, the field is more varied than that. You can find work in a pharmacy, as a pharmacy technician, or work “behind the scenes” as a medical coder. While many jobs do involve interacting with patients regularly, not every career in healthcare requires you to work directly with the public.
A few examples of healthcare careers include:
- Massage therapist.
- Dental assistant.
- Medical assistant.
- Patient care technician.
- Emergency medical technician.
- Surgical technician.
- Practical nurse.
- Medical biller.
4. Not All Healthcare Careers Require a Degree
Some healthcare careers require a four-year college degree, then additional educational after college, followed by fellowship and residency training. But not every job in healthcare requires years and years of education. In fact, you can get started working in many healthcare positions after completing a career certificate program and passing a licensing exam.
Choosing a career that doesn’t require a four-year degree means you can get started working sooner and also means that you can avoid taking on massive amounts of student debt. You always have the option of pursuing a degree later on, if you are interested in advancing in your career or moving into another position.
5. Healthcare Offers Great Earnings Potential
Many healthcare jobs have median annual salaries that are considerably more than the median annual salary for all occupations combined[1]. Even if you aren’t making very much when you begin your career in healthcare, there is usually ample upward mobility in some professions, especially if you need to obtain and keep licensure.
Healthcare also offers the potential make lateral moves or to change paths when it seems appropriate. You can start your career working directly with patients, then decide that working in administration is something that is more interesting to you. You can begin your career as a licensed practical nurse, then decide to pursue a BSN and become an RN. There are enough opportunities and variety in the industry that you’ll never feel “stuck” or as if your career is going nowhere.
If a career healthcare sounds right for you, Orange Technical College offers a variety of career certificates in health sciences. Take a look at our programs, then contact us to learn more about the application and admissions process.
Sources:
- “Healthcare Occupations,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 12, 2019, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm