Health Programs & Careers

The best way to explore health careers is to begin gathering information. If you're unsure what area of health you want to pursue, begin by researching what is out there! 

Pre-Health Advising

Start to explore! 

Athletic Training
  • Athletic trainers (AT) prevent and treat injuries for all active people. They often work closely with athletes, but they aren’t limited to one type of patient. ATs provide primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergency care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. ATs can work in a variety of settings including primary care and outpatient facilities, high schools, sports medicine clinics, colleges, and professional sports teams.
  • What is Athletic Training? (NATA)
  • Becoming an Athletic Trainer (NATA)
Chiropractic
  • Chiropractors care for patients’ neuromusculoskeletal system. Traditionally, they use spinal adjustments and manipulation to treat pain and maintain alignment in the spine, believing that proper alignment improves the neuromusculoskeletal system’s ability to perform and thus improves the functioning of other systems throughout the body. These days there are many philosophies within chiropractic, not all of which utilize spinal adjustment as their primary method of care. Chiropractors in private practice are responsible for marketing their businesses, hiring staff, and keeping records.
  • Become a Chiropractor (NBCE)
Dentistry
  • Dentists diagnose and treat disease of the teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. Most dentists are general practitioners and handle a variety of dental needs. Other dentists practice in a specialty area such as pediatric dentistry, dental anesthesiology, endodontics, oral surgery, or orthodontics. Dentists in private practice often employ and oversee dental hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff such as receptionists.
  • Go Dental (ADEA)
  • Dentistry Career (ADA)
  • Why become a dentist? (ADA)
Medical & DO
  • Medical Doctors (MDs) are physicians who diagnose and treat injuries and diseases. Doctors can work as primary care physicians or can specialize in a variety of areas including surgery, anesthesiology, cardiology, neurology, and pediatrics, to name a few. MDs attend allopathic medical school where they are educated with a focus on scientific and research-based medicine.
  • Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) are physicians who diagnose and treat injuries and diseases. DOs can specialize in a variety of areas such as surgery, anesthesiology, cardiology, neurology, and others, though over half practice in primary care. DOs attend osteopathic medical school where they are educated with a patient-centered approach and learn the hands-on osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) method.
  • A podiatrist, also known as a podiatric physician or surgeon, provides medical and surgical care for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. They diagnose illnesses, treat injuries, prescribe medication, and perform surgery involving the lower extremities. Many podiatrists spend most of their time performing surgeries such as foot and ankle reconstruction, though some specialize in areas such as sports medicine, pediatrics, and diabetic foot care.
  • Aspiring Docs Archive (AAMC)
  • Choose DO (AACOM)
  • Podiatric Medicine (APMA)
Occupational Therapy
  • Occupational therapists (OT) work with people of all ages with various health issues to adapt surroundings and tasks to help people live better with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. OTs work in many different settings such as clinics, hospitals, and nursing facilities.
  • About Occupational Therapy (AOTA)
  • Become an OT (AOTA)
Optometry
  • Optometrists diagnose and treat visual problems, manage diseases, injuries, and other disorders of the eyes, and prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses as needed. Optometrists who own their practice also spend time on general business activities such as hiring employees, ordering supplies, and marketing their business.
  • Why become an eye doctor? (ASCO)
  • How to become an optometrist (ASCO)
Pharmacy
  • Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to and sometimes create customized medications for patients, offering their expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. Pharmacists may also conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations, oversee the medications given to patients, and provide advice on healthy lifestyles. Pharmacists can work in a variety of settings including chain drug stores, hospitals, clinics, research facilities, or privately-owned pharmacies. Some pharmacists who own their pharmacy or manage a chain pharmacy spend time on business activities, such as hiring staff and inventory management.
  • Is Pharmacy for Me? (AACP)
  • Careers in Pharmacy
Physician's Assistant
  • Physician assistants (PAs) are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. PAs practice in every medical setting and in all specialties such as primary care, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, and more.
  • What is a PA? (AAPA)
  • Become a PA (AAPA)
Physical Therapy
  • Physical Therapists (PT) diagnose and treat patients across the lifespan with health conditions that affect the movement system. PTs can work in general practice or specialize in areas such as geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, or sports medicine. PTs work with their patients to restore strength, range of motion, and balance, decrease pain, and improve functional mobility (i.e. walking). PTs can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, private practice, athletics facilities, and schools.
  • What is a PA and Becoming a PA (APTA)
Veterinary Medicine
  • Veterinarians diagnose and treat the illnesses and injuries of animals. Veterinarians can specialize in caring for not only pets, but also livestock and wildlife as well. Job duties may include administering immunizations, testing for disease, prescribing medications, performing surgeries, research, and advising owners on caring for their animals.
  • Becoming a Veterinarian (AAVMC)
  • Careers in Veterinary Medicine (AAVMC)