Students: Find Help to Plan and Prepare for Health Care Careers

Sep 30, 2010
Kathy Quan

As the recession reduces education budgets across the country, students who want to enter the health care field may need outside help to plan a career.

School counselors may find themselves with many more students than they can possibly help and career centers may be unmanned or even closed to students due to budget constraints. So how can students find the information they need to help them plan and prepare for their future?

One of the biggest problems facing the health care industry is the fact that students are not being exposed to the opportunities available.

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Available online is the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 2010 version is now available in Spanish. The booklet is available on line and a hard copy can be ordered as well. It’s divided into categories and offers sections on industries such as healthcare. It is an excellent source of information and serves as one of the best sources to begin a career search.

The information provided in the OOH includes education, working conditions, employment opportunities, job outlook for the next decade, potential salaries, professional organizations and sources of other information. Links to additional information are included.

Hospitals Only Make Up One Percent of Industry

Healthcare is the fastest growing industry in the U.S. According to the report in the OOH, almost 596,000 establishments make up the health care industry today. Surprisingly hospitals make up only about one percent of the health care industry.

Math and Science

Students planning to pursue careers in health care should work towards a high school education focused on math and science. Those who haven’t done so can still move into the health care career path, but may have to take some additional courses in math and science to catch up.

Communication and Bilingual Skills

Communication is an essential skill. Both an oral and written command of the English language is required. Bilingual and translation skills are a great plus especially in languages such as Spanish, Tagalog, and Mandarin Chinese. Studying a foreign language can make you a more desirable employee. Other qualifications such as compassion and a desire to help others is important.

Shortages of Health Care Professionals

The health care industry faces severe shortages of nurses and doctors at the present time and these shortages are expected to grow. The economy has stalled the demand somewhat and scared many potential students off, but as the economy improves and the health care reform legislation is implemented, this shortage will grow again very quickly. Those poised to graduate in the next few years will be well prepared to meet this growing need.

Not Everyone Provides Direct Care

Direct hands on patient care is only one aspect of the health care industry. Behind the scenes help in areas such as medical records, billing, insurance management, laboratory and diagnostics, is another well suited to those who don’t wish to participate in direct patient care.

Doctors, nurses, dentists and veterinarians need a vast variety of assistants and aides which allows for a stepping stone advancing education and career growth path. The aging and growing population which demands more and better health care also helps to ensure job security for many decades yet to come.