When people think of working in the medical field, they may think of something extremely demanding, such as becoming a doctor or surgeon. However, there are various industries and specializations to look into that may not require as much time in school and expensive student loans. Maybe you have an interest in the medical industry but don’t have the resources needed to pursue years of education, or perhaps tuition costs are preventing you from going into tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Whatever may be preventing you from becoming a neurosurgeon, here are other options in the medical field to consider:
Dental assistant
You may love the idea of working in dentistry, but going full-time to become a dentist may not be something you’re prepared for. That doesn’t mean you’re dream of working in the field of dentistry ends there; you may just need to look at it from a different angle, such as the assistance angle.
If you’re wondering how long does it take to become a dental assistant, you can rest assured that it’s not as demanding as going to school to run your own practice someday. Plus, if you decide to pursue dentistry further in the future, you already have some of the skills you need. And it can also open you up to more specializations in the field, such as orthodontics or implantology, which may interest you more.
Physical therapist
You may have always been drawn to the world of sports and sports medicine, but maybe you’re not all that interested in becoming a doctor at this time in your life. While there is a high demand in sports medicine for medical professionals, there is just as much demand for physical therapists as well.
Because injuries in and outside of sports are all too common, you’ll find that there are plenty of available jobs for physical therapists in the medical field. If you’re looking for a career that offers less demand while establishing job security, this could be something you should consider.
The world of psychology
For people whose interest in medicine has more to do with the mind than the body, you’ll find that the area of psychology has plenty of options to offer you. From social work to counseling, if helping people through tough times in their lives interests you, this may be the right field for you. Whether you want to better understand human behavior or are interested in research, take time to determine what kind of path in the field of psychology would be best for you. Consider working with a career advisor or your school mentor to help you choose the studies that can help you achieve your end goal.
Nursing
Nursing isn’t for everyone. They carry a lot on their shoulders, and in some cases, it’s a rather thankless job. However, there are many perks to becoming a nurse. Nurses have more flexible schedules, require less schooling, and are a high-demand profession.
Other jobs in the nursing field, like travel nurses, are heavily compensated, making it easy for those who seek a good salary in the medical field to choose to become a nurse. Weigh the pros and cons as you consider becoming a nurse. If you’re between choosing to study to become a doctor or a nurse, check out the difference between nursing courses and what would be required of you in becoming a doctor. Nursing may win.
Health administration
While people may think the only option in the field of medicine is to become a doctor or a nurse, there’s actually plenty of other jobs to be had at hospitals. Working in hospital administration is something to consider, and some schools offer specific specialized training for the health profession, even if the degree isn’t directly related, such as health communications. From healthcare management to administrative assistants, there are plenty of jobs to look into when it comes to possibilities in the medical industry.
In Conclusion
If you want to work in healthcare, don’t limit the possibilities to what you know. There are a plethora of job possibilities in medicine and its subfields. Consider a path that seems right for you and your life goals.
The content is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you in interpreting any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs.
