An article by UK based contributor Sam Gatt.
When you are in college, you naturally begin to think about what it is that you would like to do with your life. While this can seem like a monumental question, it is really quite a simple matter to carry out. All you need to do is ask yourself what you think your key strengths and abilities are. Everybody has particular affinity for a certain kind of work, or a certain set of skills which could be put to use. Now is a good time to start figuring out what yours are. It is also important, however, to bear in mind that you are allowed to take your time. There is nobody rushing you to make an ultimate decision any time soon. The fact is, plenty of people go far in life before they ever figure out what they really want to achieve. If you can work it out now, you are well ahead.
One common pathway for college students is that of healthcare. This is a noble career choice indeed, though not one which is without its drawbacks and limitations. If you are someone who has a sense that you would like to work in healthcare – then that’s fantastic. It is a testament to a generation that there are people willing to do that kind of work. However, you must bear in mind that there is a lot to take on board before you land that dream job. If you know you want to work in the healthcare sector, but you don’t know much else about it, then read on. Let’s have a look at some of the top things you should consider before you pursue that career.
What Is Your Motivation?
It is important, before you go a step further, to work out what your true motivation is. Many people want to get into healthcare, and for all sorts of reasons. Sit down and work out, diligently, what yours is. This is important simply because the wrong motivation can only lead to disappointment. It is vital at this stage that you are as honest with yourself as possible. If you seek a career in medicine because you have always had a strong desire to help others, then that is fantastic. There need to be more like you! However, if financial gain is your primary motivation, then perhaps consider another path. While you may indeed make a considerable amount of money in healthcare, that should not be your main goal. A willingness to put your skills in the service of others is what it’s all about. If you have that, read on.
Education
Getting into a role in the healthcare sector can take a lot of hard work – and a lot of time. How much hard work, and how much time, depends largely on what kind of role you are hoping to get into. But no matter what exactly it is you hope to do, you should be prepared for plenty of education and training first. It is worth mentioning this early on, otherwise you might get excited and then be put off later on.
If you know what specific role you would like to have, then that will give you a huge head start in working out what kind of education you need. If you are not already absolutely certain about the path, then check it out. Look into what kinds of degrees you need to have to get the role you want. If you are planning on becoming a doctor or a high-level nurse, then there will be a considerable amount of schooling involved. If you are determined enough, then this will probably not be much of an issue. However, you need to bear in mind that receiving this education will likely cost you a large amount of money. It is advisable, therefore, to work out early on exactly how much it is will cost you, and how you plan to fund it. There are plenty of ways to fund your education, from loans and grants to family help. However you do it, it is wise to plan it all out as early as possible. That way, you won’t be upset by any nasty surprises further down the line.
Costs
As well as all that, you need to consider the various costs of having a career in healthcare. The pay is likely to be lucrative anyway, so hopefully it won’t matter to you too much. However, it is a good idea to plan ahead. You will have to spend money on things you might not have considered. That’s why it is a very good idea to shop around as much as possible. Try to source your uniform from places where it is much cheaper. For example, view some great scrub skirts here to see some good deals. As long as you shop around, you can keep your costs down. And that can make a big difference in the long run. As well as clothing, you might occasionally have to pay for small items of equipment. Therefore, it is best to bear those in mind early on.
What Role?
If you are certain that you want to get into medicine, it’s a good idea to think of what specific role you would like. As well as giving you the ability to work out your education, it will allow you to plan ahead for your career. It also means that you can start specializing as soon as possible. Otherwise, you will be waiting until much later in your career to do so. How do you go about working out what role is right for you?
The people who have it easiest are those who feel a passion for a certain area. If that is you, then that’s great – you likely know exactly what to go for. Otherwise, you need to consider what strengths (and weaknesses) you have, and work it out from there. It might be worth sitting down with a career counselor to help you with this. Everybody is different, so a one-on-one session is best.
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