Preparing for Health Careers

Careers in health care are among the most challenging, rewarding but complex choices you can make.  The faculty on the Hiram College Health Science Board want you to explore health careers, plan carefully during college, and choose a field that will offer you a stimulating and rewarding career.  To do so, there are several important steps you must take, starting with your first year of college:

  • Get strong advising early.  Tell your academic adviser you are considering a health profession, even if you are not certain which career field you will choose.  Your adviser will help you choose courses that will meet health career requirements as well as Hiram's general education and major requirements.  Talk to other science professors as well.
  • Educate yourself about health career requirements by reading the recommended classes for each career field on this page.  Take responsibility for choosing courses that will keep your career options open.
  • Study!  Health careers are academically challenging, and graduate programs are competitive.  You must have strong preparation from the beginning of your college career. 
  • Get academic help early.  If you are concerned about your academic background or need additional help to be successful, talk to your adviser and your professors immediately.  They want you to be successful and will work with you to help you learn. Take advantage of the Science Learning Center and Tutoring from Academic Support Services.  Your grades are critical.
  • Get involved with student groups such as Medicus, the pre-med club or Veticus, the pre-vet club.  They bring speakers, offer sample MCAT tests, and help you learn how to be successful.
  • Shadow professionals and apply for internships to build your credentials.  See Science/Health on the right menu.
  • Prepare seriously for the graduate school or professional school admission tests.  They are critical to your admission to professional programs.
  • Choose the right combination of graduate/professional programs for your qualifications by working closely with a health professions adviser. 
  • Write a strong personal statement for graduate/professional school, and get help to make it competitive and excellent. 
  • Choose excellent references from among faculty, your internship mentors, and health professionals.  See Preparing References.

Please contact the Chair of the Health Sciences Board, Professor Cara Constance, for additional health profession advising or the Director of the Career Center, Kathryn Craig, for advising about health internships. 

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