Why Work in Healthcare?

How to Get a Job in Healthcare

While there are many routes to landing a job in the healthcare industry, we’ve outlined some helpful, actionable steps to help you progress toward your professional goals, whatever they may be. 

1: Define Your Career Goals

Before embarking on your job search or committing to a degree program, it’s essential to reflect on what you hope to accomplish in your career. Since the healthcare field contains many sectors, exploring all the professional possibilities may take some time.

In addition to charting suitable career paths for yourself, assess your skills, interests, previous experience and personal goals and see how they align with your professional aspirations. By thoroughly defining all you want to accomplish and ensuring you understand the efforts you have to put in to fulfill your goal, you position yourself for success during your professional development and as you enter the healthcare workforce.

2: Pursue the Necessary Degree and Training

Because individuals and communities depend on the therapeutic fields for their health and well-being, working in healthcare often requires you to meet particular education requirements and obtain licensure so you have the appropriate credentials to care for patients or clients.

Degree, training and licensure requirements heavily depend on the sector or position you are pursuing. But, typically, as a healthcare worker, you must have a robust science-based background with a firm grasp of biology, anatomy, physiology and chemistry. Additionally, it’s important for you to understand how to utilize technology, implement culturally competent practices, rely on strong communication skills and much more.

Advanced roles in the health services field—occupational therapists, mental health counselors, speech-language pathologists and others—require you to pursue a graduate degree after earning your bachelor’s degree. If you want to pursue a career in the medical field and want to know what courses will help you prepare, we recommend connecting with pre-health advising experts to help set you up for success in your graduate education and professional endeavors.

Whether completing a bachelor's in nursing, earning your social work degree or obtaining specialized certificate in healthcare management, be sure to research your desired career path's academic and professional requirements and pursue relevant degrees, certifications or licensures accordingly. Making these critical investments in your education helps you secure employment in healthcare.

3: Build Your Skill Set Through Hands-on Internships and Clinical Rotations

While classroom learning builds a solid theoretical foundation, gaining hands-on experience through internships and clinical rotations puts your knowledge into practice, sharpens your skill set and distinguishes you as a competitive candidate in the workforce.

Degree and licensure programs typically require internships or clinical placements; however, seeking extracurricular internship opportunities, volunteer roles or rotations in healthcare clinics, hospitals or research facilities allows you to immerse yourself in real-world healthcare settings, diversify your experience and forge connections with other health professionals. 

4: Tailor Your Résumé and Cover Letter

As you achieve academic success, acquire new clinical skills and gain meaningful work experience, your résumé and cover letter are exceptionally important to find an entry into healthcare employment opportunities.

For each position to which you apply, tailor your application materials to highlight unique aspects of your education and experience and demonstrate how your skill set and background align with the specific requirements and mission of the healthcare organization. By customizing your résumé and cover letter for potential employers, you emphasize your versatility and show an understanding of how you can adapt your skills and experience to meet the job qualifications and needs of the employer. 

5: Grow Your Professional Network

Like any industry, collaborative relationships form the foundation of the healthcare field; cultivating thriving professional relationships with your fellow healthcare workers expedites career growth and results in exciting opportunities.

Start building your personal network early on by getting involved in student organizations, pursuing faculty mentorship and participating in volunteer opportunities. Then, as you emerge into the workforce, attend industry conferences, seminars and networking events to connect with new mentors, field experts and potential employers.

When you foster connections with industry veterans, peers and up-and-coming professionals, you create a tight-knit professional community, deepen your career insights and help support the career trajectory of those around you.