Getting Started in Health Care Before Graduating High School

Emily Newhook is an outreach coordinator for the MHA degree program from The George Washington University, MHA@GW. Outside of work, she enjoys writing, film studies and powerlifting. Follow Emily on Twitter @EmilyNewhook.

Getting Started in Health Care Before Graduating High School

As the school year comes to a close, many high school students are busy planning summer vacations and enjoying some much-needed relaxation. But if you’re thinking about pursuing a career in health care, summer is a great time to explore how you can get started in health care now — even before finishing high school. Here are five easy ways to get a jump-start on a future career in health care.

1. Take science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classes

Taking rigorous classes in high school will improve your chances of future success no matter where you go for a college degree. Many experts recommend students pursuing health careers take between 2-4 years of math and various science classes in high school. Ensuring a solid foundation in biology, chemistry and math is important for developing critical thinking and analytical skills that are key to success in more advanced college courses of this nature. Additionally, the skills you accrue through STEM training will come in handy on standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT.

2. Volunteer or intern at a local hospital or clinic

Volunteering or interning at a hospital or clinic can help you figure out if a career in health care is right for you, and it can make your college application stand out. The Association of American Medical Colleges recommends looking for “an opportunity that genuinely interests you so that you’ll enjoy the experience, be motivated to stick with it and learn from it.” Joining a club or society such as a local “Future Physicians Club” is a great way to hear about volunteer or internship positions.

3. Connect with health care professionals

Another way to explore health care careers is to connect with someone working in a profession you find interesting. A good place to begin is with your own doctor or someone else you know who works in health care. Setting up an informational interview is an option that allows you to learn more about the position and industry in a short amount of time (usually 1-2 hours). For a more substantial look into the career, try shadowing a doctor or other professional for a day to learn about their day-to-day responsibilities and experiences.

4. Develop good study habits

While many classes in high school determine your grade through numerous assignments, quizzes and tests, many college classes — especially large introductory or freshman courses — base a significant portion of your grade on one or two major exams. This means that rather than studying smaller chunks of class material, you will be required to demonstrate an understanding of information from part or all of the semester. Develop study habits that focus on long-term learning, such as efficient time management rather than last minute “cramming” and a note taking style that helps you connect concepts between class discussions, readings and assignments. Studying tactics that focus on long-term learning are especially important for students interested in health care professions because the training you receive often builds on previous classes. It will also help on major exams that measure a wide range of knowledge such as the MCAT.

5. Research college programs

It’s important to spend time researching college health care education programs. Course requirements may vary between programs; you might also find that some accept college credit earned through AP, IB or community college courses while others do not. If you know the career you’d like to pursue, research which programs have the best reputation in that specific area and learn about their unique requirements or preferences for new students.

As you set off on a journey toward health care, don’t forget that there are a lot of career possibilities. Although doctors and nurses are often the first professions that come to mind, there are a wide variety of options ranging from health policy, medical research and epidemiology, health administration and public health positions that focus on preventing diseases among broad populations.