Which careers could be right for me?

Training in most health professions will require significant coursework in the sciences. If you plan to go to medical school, for instance, you will need to take many semesters of very rigorous chemistry courses. Preparing for physical therapy school will require fewer chemistry courses, and most occupational therapy programs do not require any chemistry. If you struggle in math and science classes it could indicate that some health professions may not be the best fit for you. Still, some health fields, such as healthcare administration or social work, would not require a strong science background.

College level coursework tends to be much more rigorous than what you encountered in high school, so if you feel your skills may need to be strengthened in math and science, make sure to talk to an advisor and follow advice on the best starting point for you. If you need to take some additional beginning math and science courses that's okay, as long as you do develop the strong skills you'll need.

Preparing for most health profession fields will require very intensive study. You will need to prioritize academics over other activities in college. To be competitive you will need to earn high grades, and that will require excellent time management and strong study skills. Most pre-health students find that they must make some sacrifices and prioritize academics over some of the other extracurricular activities available in college.

How did you develop the desire to become a healthcare provider? Choosing to become a healthcare provider is not a purely intellectual decision. To be successful, you need to be motivated by empathy and a desire to alleviate the suffering of others. Writing about the experiences in your life that have made you feel drawn toward healthcare may help you clarify your motivations. Shadowing or volunteering in a healthcare environment may also help you clarify your goals.

Healthcare providers typically work under very demanding circumstances. They must be able to maintain their composure when working with patients and other team members, even under stressful conditions. Do you avoid stressful situations, or are you a person who thrives under challenging conditions? Managing stress is a learned skill. Learning new ways to manage stress and develop resilience could help you prepare for the demands of working as a healthcare provider.

Healthcare providers need certain skills or abilities -- or competencies -- in areas such as critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and written and oral communication. They need teamwork skills, a capacity for improvement, excellent interpersonal and social skills, and cultural competence, the ability to effectively interact with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. They must have an awareness of the psychological, sociocultural, and biological factors that influence health and well-being. Ethical responsibility, reliability, resilience, and adaptability are also important. Do you already have some of these abilities? Read more about the competencies identified by medical schools on the AAMC website.