Which Healthcare Profession Is Right for Me?

It’s important to thoroughly research your options in order to determine which careers would be a good fit for your skills and interests. Your answers to the following questions can help steer you toward specific health professions options.

Is the healthcare environment right for me?

Healthcare is a rapidly changing, technology driven, fast-paced environment. It can be fascinating, rewarding and stressful.

How can I experience the healthcare environment to decide if this is what I want to do? 

• Volunteering in a hospital is an excellent way to find out if the healthcare setting is right for you. Contact the volunteer services office of any hospital to learn about opportunities.
• Shadowing professionals in careers that interest you is also an excellent way to find out more about healthcare. Contact your providers to ask if they allow this.
• Tri-C’s Career Center can help you determine if the healthcare environment and certain healthcare careers are a good fit for you. MyPlan is an excellent career assessment and planning tool available through the Career Centers. Contact your campus Career Center for more information.

What health professions programs does Tri-C offer?

Tri-C offers more than 25 different healthcare tracks, all of which provide critical services to patients and/or healthcare organizations. Visit the College’s Health Professions webpage or view descriptions of healthcare careers at explorehealthcareers.org.

Do I want to provide direct patient care, support care or diagnostic care?

Some healthcare professions — such as radiography, nursing, respiratory care, occupational therapy and physical therapy — are direct patient care professions. If that type of work isn’t for you,
Tri-C offers training in a variety of support care and diagnostic careers working in labs, with technology or in offices that support frontline workers.

How long does training take?

Training for a career in healthcare can take a few months or up to eight or more years, depending on the profession. It’s important to research a number of healthcare careers and consider your circumstances carefully before making a decision.

Who can I speak with to help me decide?

Health Professions program directors and managers can answer questions about career paths, program requirements and other program-specific details.