Healthcare Industry
The healthcare industry is an expansive and dynamic sector that encompasses a wide range of opportunities and possibilities. It plays a crucial role in promoting, improving, and maintaining the health and well-being of individuals and communities. The healthcare industry is not limited to doctors and nurses alone. It comprises many sectors, including allied health, management and sales, public health, research institutions, and technology. Undoubtedly, this industry offers immense opportunities for careers due to its vastness. Whether one seeks to assist individuals or contribute indirectly or directly, the demand for healthcare professionals remains consistently high worldwide.
EXPLORE CAREERS
Medicine Roles
Medicine is a field that encompasses various roles dedicated to promoting health, preventing and diagnosing diseases, and providing medical care to patients. Within the medical profession, there are numerous roles that involve direct patient contact, allowing healthcare professionals to interact directly with individuals seeking medical assistance.
- There are opportunities within this career that would not require obtaining advanced degrees, such as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Paramedics, Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Medical Assistants. It is important to note that while these roles may not require advanced degrees, they often involve additional certifications, licensures, or specialized training programs.
- If you are interested in working as a Doctor, Surgeon, Psychiatrist, Dentist, Physician Assistant, Pharmacist, or Optometrist, you must obtain an advanced degree by attending professional school.
Allied Health
Allied health refers to a broad category of healthcare professions that support and complement the work of physicians and nurses in providing patient care. These professionals are essential members of the healthcare team and contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and overall well-being of patients. While they do not fall into the category of doctors or nurses, they play a crucial role in delivering comprehensive healthcare services.
- There are opportunities within this career that would not require obtaining advanced degrees, such as Medical Sonographer, Radiology Technologist, Dental Hygentist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Respiratory Therapist. It is important to note that while these roles may not require advanced degrees, they often involve additional certifications, licensures, or specialized training programs.
- If you are interested in working as an Occupational Therapist (OT), Physical Therapist (PT), Speech-Language Pathologist, Dietitian/Nutritionist, Audiologist, Genetic Counselor, or Chiropractor you would need to obtain an advanced degree.
Healthcare Business
Healthcare business encompasses the various activities and operations involved in the delivery, administration, and management of healthcare services. It involves the application of business principles and strategies to the healthcare industry, with the goal of ensuring efficient and effective healthcare delivery while maintaining financial stability. Healthcare business encompasses a wide range of areas, including healthcare management, health policy, healthcare financing, health information technology, marketing and sales of healthcare products and services, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement.
- Some job titles for entry-level positions with a bachelor's degree include Healthcare Analyst, Healthcare Marketing Coordinator, Billing Specialist, Insurance Sale Agent, Healthcare Financial Analyst, Medical Device Sales Rep, Healthcare Consultant, and Healthcare Policy Analyst.
- Advanced specialized positions within Healthcare Business may require a graduate degree. Some examples of job titles include Hospital Administrator, Healthcare Quality Improvement Manager, and Healthcare Compliance Officer.
Public Health
Public health is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on improving the health and well-being of populations, rather than just individuals. It involves the study, promotion, and protection of health at the community, regional, national, and global levels. Public health professionals work to prevent disease, promote healthy behaviors, and create conditions that support and enhance overall health.
- Some job titles for entry-level positions with a bachelor's degree include Public Health Educator, Health Promotion Specialist, Research Assistant, Community Health Worker, and Program Coordinator.
- Advanced specialized positions within Public Health may require a graduate degree. Some examples of job titles include Epidemiologist, Public Health Administrator/Manager, Global Health Specialist, and Environmental Health Scientist.
Research
A career in healthcare research focuses on expanding the scientific knowledge and understanding of topics related to medicine. As well as developing drugs and treatments, professionals in this sector look at prevention and diagnosis.
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Some job titles for entry-level positions with a bachelor's degree include Research Assistant, Clinical Research Coordinator, Data Analyst, and Health Research Educator.
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Advanced specialized positions within Healthcare Research may require a graduate degree. Some examples of job titles include Biomedical Scientist, Microbiologist, and Toxicologist.
Medical Technology
The medical technology field, also known as healthcare technology, encompasses the use of advanced technology and equipment in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of medical conditions. It involves the development, implementation, and maintenance of various medical devices, instruments, software, and systems used in healthcare settings.
- Some job titles for entry-level positions with a bachelor's degree include Biomedical Equipment Technician, Product Development Associate, and Quality Assurance Specialist.
- Advanced specialized positions within Healthcare Research may require a graduate degree. Some examples of job titles include Biomedical Engineer, Medical Imaging Scientist, Health Informatics Specialist, and Clinical Bioinformatics Scientist.
FIND OPPORTUNITIES
To help you explore different employers within the healthcare field you can utilize the job boards below. Please note this is not an exhaustive list, just a starting point!
DEVELOP YOUR INTEREST
There are many options to get involved at Colorado College and develop your career competencies. Get involved to deepen your understanding of an industry and help you decide if a job in this field is of interest to you. Planning your experience can feel daunting, so check out some industry specific ideas both on and off campus below. As you plan, meet with the Advising Hub to discuss your major and academic interests to ensure you’re on track for your academic plans as well.
- Colorado College Clubs: CC Neuroscience Club, Community-Based Substance Use Harm Reduction at CC, Minority Association of Pre-Health Students, National Alliance of Mental Illness on Campus, Pre-Health Professions Club, and Public and Global Health Club at Colorado College.
- On-Campus Job Examples: Fitness Center monitor, Sports Medicine Aid, Lifeguard, Peer Health Educator, Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Peer Ambassador, and Student Research Assistant.
- Check your academic department's webpage for specific events and to join the email mailing list!
- Research Opportunities within Colorado College: Student Research Opportunities, Chemistry Department, Physics Department, Molecular Biology Department, and Organismal Biology & Ecology.
- Research Opportunities outside of Colorado College: Research Experiences for Undergraduates REU
- If you are interested in working in a health profession (for example a medical doctor) please connect with the Pre-Health Advisor in the Advising Hub
- Consider taking courses at CC to earn certificates, such as CPR, First Aid & AED, Wilderness First Responder, and EMT Basic.
- If you are interested in working in roles that require additional certification/education (such as Registered Nurse, Physical Therapy Assistant, etc) research what schools and programs you would like to attend and what the admission requirements are.
- Engage in service work through the Collaborative for Community Engagement.
- Test out specific areas of interest by engaging in micro-opportunities, such as ones offered by Paragon One, Forage, Open Avenues Foundation, and Parker Dewey.
- Continue to develop professionally by doing an internship or shadowing a healthcare professional. You can search for experiences online or connect with your faculty to see if they know of alumni to shadow or industry-specific opportunities.
- Attending scientific conferences and presenting can be a great way to network and show off your work to potential employers.
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CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE
If you are interested in learning more about certain career paths you can start with professional associations. They offer insight on what it is like working within the industry and provide tips for getting started.
- Medical: Association of American Medical Colleges, American Dental Education Association, American Academy of Physician Assistants, American Nursing Association, and National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
- Allied Health: American Physical Therapy Association, American Occupational Therapy Association, National Association of Nutrition Professionals, American Chiropractic Association, and American Dental Hygienists Association.
- Healthcare Business: American College of Healthcare Executives, American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management, Healthcare Administrators Association, and National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives.
- Public Health: Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health, American Public Health Association, American College of Epidemiology, and Society for Public Health Education.
- Research: Association of Clinical Research Professionals, Society of Clinical Research Associates, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Society for Prevention Research.
- Medical Technology: American Health Information Management Association, Advanced Medical Technology Association, American Medical Technologists, and Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.
- DEI: National Society of Black Health Professionals, Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Association of Black Physical Therapists, Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers, Out in STEM, and Society for Healthcare Professionals with Disabilities.
Contact the Career Center
719.389.6893
Physical Address: 1130 N. Cascade Avenue, Morreale House, Colorado Springs, CO 80903