4 answers
taylor
Student
North Branch, Michigan
2
Questions
Asked
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how do i figure out where in the medical field i want to work in?
#medicine
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4 answers
Suzanne Swain Brint
Nursing
169
Answers
Santa Monica, California
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
Hi Taylor,
I gather you are in high school? I would recommend taking plenty of science classes in school as a start. Then, find volunteer opportunities that would allow you access to either hospitals, clinics, or other "medical" type of scenarios.
Here is a possibility:
http://www.med.umich.edu/volunteer/about/teens.html
I would also ask local clinics if they need volunteers for any reason at all; answering phones, running errands, chatting with patients etc.
The American Red Cross also offers many volunteer opportunities in MIchigan and across the country:
https://www.redcross.org/local/michigan/volunteer.html
Your hometown may have a disaster preparedness team. I would check with your local resources.
I didn't know exactly which type of nursing I would specialize in until I actually started taking care of patients. All I knew is that I had always wanted to be a nurse. So, it may take a little time and effort to understand where in the medical field you will eventually specialize. You are very early in the process so who knows which path you may take? You may even love the informational part of healthcare such as AI programming! The field is so wide and the world is your oyster!! There are books written about the question you are asking:
1. Top 100 Health-Care Careers by Dr. Saul Wischnitzer & Edith Wischnitzer
2. Introduction to Health Care & Careers by Roxann DeLaet
I hope this answer is helpful!
Best,
Sue
Take required science courses
Find healthcare volunteer opportunities
Go to the library and read books that discuss career opportunities in healthcare
I gather you are in high school? I would recommend taking plenty of science classes in school as a start. Then, find volunteer opportunities that would allow you access to either hospitals, clinics, or other "medical" type of scenarios.
Here is a possibility:
http://www.med.umich.edu/volunteer/about/teens.html
I would also ask local clinics if they need volunteers for any reason at all; answering phones, running errands, chatting with patients etc.
The American Red Cross also offers many volunteer opportunities in MIchigan and across the country:
https://www.redcross.org/local/michigan/volunteer.html
Your hometown may have a disaster preparedness team. I would check with your local resources.
I didn't know exactly which type of nursing I would specialize in until I actually started taking care of patients. All I knew is that I had always wanted to be a nurse. So, it may take a little time and effort to understand where in the medical field you will eventually specialize. You are very early in the process so who knows which path you may take? You may even love the informational part of healthcare such as AI programming! The field is so wide and the world is your oyster!! There are books written about the question you are asking:
1. Top 100 Health-Care Careers by Dr. Saul Wischnitzer & Edith Wischnitzer
2. Introduction to Health Care & Careers by Roxann DeLaet
I hope this answer is helpful!
Best,
Sue
Suzanne recommends the following next steps:
John Greenwood, MBA
Strategy Director
57
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
John’s Answer
Suzanne gave a great answer to this, but I wanted to add based on my own experience.
My dad is a doctor and for several years I thought I wanted to be an ER doctor (I had narrowed it down by that point). I couldn't find an opportunity to volunteer in the ER, but I found an opportunity to volunteer in the local hospital in the PACU (patients go there after surgery).
One piece of advice I would give you before exploring is to think about why you want to go into healthcare. Understanding your own drive and what you enjoy in life, can help you find a meaningful career that you love for a lifetime. Healthcare can be IT, administration (business), doctors, nurses, specialists, physical therapists, and so much more. The key is to understand why you are interested and then explore with people who are knowledgeable (already in the business) to find what may be a good fit.
Once you know why you want to be in healthcare, talk to friend's parents, your doctor, nurse, etc who are in healthcare about what you are interested in and they can help guide your exploration to a more specific job or field within healthcare. Then go volunteer, ask people to shadow them for a day, etc. People typically are open to teaching and helping someone who is exploring.
Good luck to you on your journey!
Think about/brainstorm why you want to be in healthcare
Reach out to people with different jobs in healthcare
Job shadow
My dad is a doctor and for several years I thought I wanted to be an ER doctor (I had narrowed it down by that point). I couldn't find an opportunity to volunteer in the ER, but I found an opportunity to volunteer in the local hospital in the PACU (patients go there after surgery).
One piece of advice I would give you before exploring is to think about why you want to go into healthcare. Understanding your own drive and what you enjoy in life, can help you find a meaningful career that you love for a lifetime. Healthcare can be IT, administration (business), doctors, nurses, specialists, physical therapists, and so much more. The key is to understand why you are interested and then explore with people who are knowledgeable (already in the business) to find what may be a good fit.
Once you know why you want to be in healthcare, talk to friend's parents, your doctor, nurse, etc who are in healthcare about what you are interested in and they can help guide your exploration to a more specific job or field within healthcare. Then go volunteer, ask people to shadow them for a day, etc. People typically are open to teaching and helping someone who is exploring.
Good luck to you on your journey!
John recommends the following next steps:
Sheila Jordan
Lead Network Proj/Prog Manager
711
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hello Taylor:
Thank you for your question. The healthcare field is growing fast and I'm sure that whatever area you decide to go in your optimism will be well received. I agree with Suzanne and John's advice as they make some very good points.
Based on my personal experience, when my son was in high school he participated in a student medical explorers program. This was a one (1) year program (each year) where he was selected to participate based on various criteria (ie, why are you interested in healthcare, what type of area are you interested in, etc. etc). This program afforded him the opportunity to job shadow doctors from trauma, emergency room, patient visits to the morgue. After college he got into medical school where he did rotations. By going through the rotations he was able to really get a good sense of the area (s) that he was interested in. I'd suggest that you research early and start exploring possibilities now.
I wish you much success on your journey. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
Seek out volunteer opportunities where you could job shadow doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals
Check with your family primary care doctor. You'd be surprise to know that they don't mind talking to you about healthcare. Make sure to schedule time with them; be prepared with your questions; arrive on time, dress neatly and show interest. First impressions are important
Thank you for your question. The healthcare field is growing fast and I'm sure that whatever area you decide to go in your optimism will be well received. I agree with Suzanne and John's advice as they make some very good points.
Based on my personal experience, when my son was in high school he participated in a student medical explorers program. This was a one (1) year program (each year) where he was selected to participate based on various criteria (ie, why are you interested in healthcare, what type of area are you interested in, etc. etc). This program afforded him the opportunity to job shadow doctors from trauma, emergency room, patient visits to the morgue. After college he got into medical school where he did rotations. By going through the rotations he was able to really get a good sense of the area (s) that he was interested in. I'd suggest that you research early and start exploring possibilities now.
I wish you much success on your journey. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Richard A.
physician
2150
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Shadow physicians and other health care providers.
I am a radiologist. There are multiple subspecialties in Radiology, so each of my partners daily work is quite different. I am an Interventional radiologist. I spend about half my time looking at Medical Imaging ( CT, x-ray, ultrasound, and MRI) to diagnose diseases. The other half of my time is spent performing procedures. We use ultrasound, CT, and x-ray to guide various Tools into different parts of the body to diagnose and treat illness. We can open and close arteries and veins as necessary. We also inject radiation and chemotherapy directly into tumors.
I work about 50 hours per week. My hours vary as my group provides 24/7 service. Twice a year I work a week of night shift; and twice a year, I work a week of evening shifts from 4-11 pm. Some radiologists work in outpatient centers and can have more regular hours.
I am a radiologist. There are multiple subspecialties in Radiology, so each of my partners daily work is quite different. I am an Interventional radiologist. I spend about half my time looking at Medical Imaging ( CT, x-ray, ultrasound, and MRI) to diagnose diseases. The other half of my time is spent performing procedures. We use ultrasound, CT, and x-ray to guide various Tools into different parts of the body to diagnose and treat illness. We can open and close arteries and veins as necessary. We also inject radiation and chemotherapy directly into tumors.
I work about 50 hours per week. My hours vary as my group provides 24/7 service. Twice a year I work a week of night shift; and twice a year, I work a week of evening shifts from 4-11 pm. Some radiologists work in outpatient centers and can have more regular hours.