By: Desiree Valadez, Contributing Writer
Edited by: Fauzia Haque, Editor; Eve Nevelos, Editor in Chief
Many teens struggle with finding the career path that they want to pursue in the future. According to a College and Career Readiness survey done by YouthTruth, a San Francisco-based nonprofit, out of 165,000 high school students, only about forty five-percent of students believe they are college and job ready as they feel confident with their future career path. This study just goes on to show that less than half of American high school students are not sure what they will aspire to do. If you, a teen, feel that you are part of the fifty five percent of high school students who are not sure of their upcoming line of work, the prospering healthcare field might be the answer you are looking for.
As stated by ExploreHealthCareers.org, there are hundreds of different health careers that one could choose from - for example, a dentist, who makes people confidently smile, or a surgeon, who specializes in assessing and treating diseases that may necessitate surgery or the physical alteration of the human body. The hundreds of careers in the healthcare field come with many perks to those who work them. Unlike many other businesses, the healthcare industry is quickly expanding. The healthcare industry created approximately 3 million employment opportunities between 2006 and 2016, more than any other industry, according to the US Department of Labor. There are plenty of health-related occupations with decent to outstanding job prospects, so you'll probably never be out of work.
Also, a career in healthcare can take many different paths. Patients can be treated in an office setting, or their cells might be studied under a microscope. Working in a small doctor's office or running a hospital are also options. In addition, healthcare experts in a variety of areas are in high demand in almost every region of the world, so qualified health professionals have the freedom to live anywhere they choose and work in whatever setting they desire. To add, a great perk is the salary. Healthcare employees are well compensated. The typical hourly wage for an entry-level health professional is from fifteen dollars to fifty dollars an hour. They may earn more money in the industry if you have more experience and training. Also, if you are a very social person who likes to meet new people, you will have the opportunity to meet a wide range of new individuals, including scientists, technologists, researchers, nurses, medical staff, physicians, and patients, when you select a profession in healthcare. As you meet new people every day, you will learn something new from them, and you will gain information about other cultures.
Furthermore, one of the most rewarding benefits in the healthcare field is the positive difference in patients’ lives. These healthcare workers work to make our world a bit healthier, a little safer, and a little better. However, many people question working in the medical field as there are many misconceptions. For example, many do not want to be in this field because they believe that they will have to be in school for over fifteen years which is justifiable as some careers do require that. There are health occupations that need eight, ten, or even thirteen years of specialized study after high school, but there are health careers for which you might only train at your local community college for eighteen to twenty-four months. Also, some are discouraged to study this field as it might be very expensive, but there are hundreds of scholarships, financial assistance programs, grants, and student loans available to aid aspiring health care workers in their educational pursuits. For example, a great scholarship for aspiring health care workers is Franklin D. Boyce Health Scholarship whose purpose is to “promote a broad range of professional health occupations by awarding scholarships for attendance at institutions of higher learning. Professional health occupations may include, but are not limited to, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, physicians, radiology/lab technicians, psychologists, health administration, and biologists,” according to the John Randolph Foundation website, which also offers many scholarships. Another great website to find extremely helpful scholarships for these prospective health-care professionals is EDUMED.
In addition to this, you don't necessarily have to choose a specific career when you decide to pursue work in the healthcare field. Many healthcare profession training programs combine classroom lectures with hands-on training. To refine your technical patient care abilities, and find out what you truly enjoy in the field, you may spend time in a lab, complete a summer internship at a community clinic, or perform a clinical rotation in a busy hospital. There are also hands-on learning programs for high school and college students who haven't made up their minds. Overall, the healthcare field is extremely rewarding and helpful to both medical specialists and each of their patients, so if you are a confused teen when it comes to your future path, the medical field might just be for you.
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Sources:
https://edsource.org/2015/survey-most-high-school-students-feel-unprepared-for-college-careers/83752