Learn about different health careers and involvement opportunities that can keep you on track to apply for health care professions.
Explore Health Careers
Health Related Organizations and Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore Health Careers
Explore Health Careers
Find the right health career, compare salaries, research how much school is required, and discover what programs are offered here at the UW!
ExploreHealthCareers.org is a collaboration between today's health professionals and leading health care associations. You will find the latest health career information and tools to guide you as you prepare for a future in health care. This site can help you:
A blend of art and sciences, while using your hands. Many students who consider dentistry enjoy playing musical instruments, building models, working with Lego and playing video games. Dental school involves seamlessly blending science and art while developing, mastering and demonstrating prowess in a variety of areas—including manual dexterity.
Did you know?
Dentists play a key role in the early detection of oral cancer and other systemic conditions of the body. They often identify other health conditions, illnesses and other problems that sometimes show up in the oral cavity before they are identified in other parts of the body.
Career examples
After graduation from dental school, you can either begin practicing as a general dentist in a number of practice settings, or you can go on to explore one of nine dental specialties. It is important to research your options before you graduate dental school so you are informed about what direction you will pursue. You may choose private practice or public health dentistry. You could also choose an academic or dental education pathway, such as teaching, dental research, government service or international health care.
The science of genetics, translating complex information into simple language, working with people, and learning new things. Genetic counseling gives you the opportunity to combine your knowledge and passion for genetics with counseling skills to help patients and families, healthcare providers, and the population at large understand and use genetic information.
Did you know?
Genetic counseling is a rapidly growing profession in the United States with lots of opportunities to specialize in areas, such as reproductive genetics, pediatric genetics, and cancer genetics. Plus, genetic counselors will be on the forefront of the precision health initiative as it changes how we deliver healthcare services to improve people’s lives.
Career examples
Genetic counselors work in several different settings such as academic medical centers, community-based clinics, laboratories, and public health organizations. Many, but not all, genetic counselors work directly with patients or in laboratories that offer genetic testing. In addition, there is a lot of flexibility in the field, and many genetic counselors work in a variety of settings over the course of their careers.
Science and medicine and are interested in indirect patient care and solving puzzles (as MLS’s are considered the diagnostic detectives in medicine).
Did you know?
70% of information that physicians use to diagnose comes from diagnostic tests performed by Medical Laboratory Scientists
Career examples
Work in hospitals, clinics or other medical facility laboratories, forensic and research labs, as well as in Informatics, Biotechnology, Industry, and Humanitarian organizations.
Love to learn, have a curious nature, are a good listener, like to solve problems and have a desire to help other people. Doctors want to help their patients live better lives. Sometimes this means teaching patients ways to stay healthy, curing an infection or figuring out what caused the infection, performing a surgery or prescribing a brace that will help someone walk or run better.
Did you know?
After completing an undergraduate degree, the training to become an MD takes 4 years of medical school plus 3-7 years of residency, depending on what specialty you choose.
Career examples
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics), surgeons or specialists (including anesthesiologist, oncologist, or radiologist). Many doctors also become lab researchers, teachers at medical schools, hospital administrators and policy makers.
Have a passion for improving the health of others. Nurses have an immense influence over the patients’ healthcare experience. From promoting healthy lifestyles to providing basic care, nurses can provide a lasting impact.
Did you know?
Nurses often spend the most time with hospital patients. They are there from the moment a patient is admitted to the time they are discharged. Nurses play a critical part in a patient’s experience and act as their biggest advocate.
Career examples
The BSN program prepares students to take the NCLEX, the licensure exam for registered nurses. Registered nurses work in a variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient care, public health, schools and healthcare policy and legislation.Graduates from the MS-CIPCT program work to evaluate current and future Health Information Technology needs and recommend optimal solutions. The DNP prepares nurses for an advanced practice role in a specialty and teaches them to look at leading edge research to apply to their practice. PhD Nurses become premier leaders in nursing research.
Food, health, science, and helping people and communities. This is a great fit for people who want to apply the principles of food and nutrition to health for individuals as well as create healthy food systems, advocate for effective food policies, and implement programs to improve population health and well-being in just and sustainable ways.
Did you know?
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, but a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) has completed the academic and professional requirements to qualify for the RDN credential. RDNs are the food and nutrition experts who translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. They use their nutrition expertise to help individuals make unique, positive lifestyle changes. RDNs are advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world.
Career examples
RDNs work in a variety of employment settings, including hospitals, private practice, or other health care facilities, to treat and prevent disease. They also work in community and public health settings and in academia and research. A growing number of RDNs work in the food and nutrition industry, business, journalism, sports nutrition, and corporate wellness programs.
Optometrykeyboard_arrow_down
No undergraduate or graduate programs offered at UW.
Have a passion for improving the vision of others. Optometrists help a wide variety of people in short and long-term capacities when it comes to the health of thier vision. Optpmetrists enjoy buidling strong relationships with thier patients ranging in age and health needs. This profession can be a good fit if you are a tactful communicator who is able to work precisely with your hands. In addition to being able to relate to patients, you will need good business sense -- especially if, like many optometrists, you run your own practice.
Did you know?
Some optometrists specialize in the vision problems of the elderly, children, or partially sighted persons. Others may specialize in problems related to working conditions.Optometrists meet with patients and perform different tests to determine common eyesight issues, such as near- or farsightedness, for which they can prescribe glasses or contacts. They can also test patients for eye diseases, such as glaucoma, for which they can prescribe medicines. Optometrists can also perform vision therapy for other issues, such as eye-movement or eye-tracking problems. Sometimes optometrists run across a problem like diabetic retinopathy, which is symptomatic of a systemic problem like diabetes.
Career examples
Optometrists can have thier own practice, work in doctor's offices, optical clinics, and/or optical good stores.
Serving the community and improving people’s health, have strong communication skills, like science and math, are detail-oriented and organized and enjoy problem-solving.
Did you know?
Pharmacy is a diverse and rewarding career, with opportunities for patient care, scientific research and innovation. Pharmacists can work in a myriad of professional settings. The majority of pharmacists (45%) work in an independent or community pharmacy and provide counseling to patients on the use of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Pharmacists work in numerous other healthcare environments as well, including hospitals, nursing homes, managed care organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, colleges and schools and the federal government. Pharmacists play key leadership roles in all aspects of the healthcare system.
Career examples
Community Pharmacist, Community Health Center (CHC) Pharmacist, Compounding Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacist and Pharmaceutical Researcher.
P&O: Problem-solving, creativity, hands-on work, and innovation. PT: Physical activity, service to others, and one-on-one therapeutic relationships. OT: Assessing and developing strategies to help people perform meaningful activities in their daily lives.
Did you know?
Occupational Therapists have a broad range of skills to help their clients do the things they love to do. Prosthetists-Orthotists often work with the same patient over much of that patient’s lifespan. And according to a study by the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center, Physical Therapists have one of the ten most satisfying careers.
Career examples
Physical therapists, occupational therapists and prosthetist-orthotists are all careers in the domain of rehabilitation medicine. PTs, OTs and POs can work individually, or together as part of the rehabilitation team, which can also include rehabilitation physicians, medical social workers, clinical psychologists and speech therapists, among others. The goal of professionals working in rehabilitation medicine is to improve the health, functional performance and level of participation in life’s activities for someone with a disabling condition. PTs and OTs work in many settings, including hospitals, schools, clinics, nursing homes and private homes. POs work primarily in private clinics and hospitals (including childrens and veterans hospitals).
Working with people, solving complex problems, have an interest in working on medical teams.
Did you know?
Physician Assistants work in collaboration with physicians and other allied health professionals. This team based approach to patient care can help improve health outcomes for all patients.
Career examples
Physician Assistants can work in nearly every medical specialty. PAs can be found working primary care and family practice as well as general surgery and surgical sub-specialities.
Public Health, Environmental Health & Health Informaticskeyboard_arrow_down
1) Interested in learning about the root causes of poor health and how to prevent risk factors and promote health within diverse communities; 2) driven by a passion for social justice and health equity, and 3) planning to go on to health profession graduate work.
Did you know?
Public health is a field for people who care about social justice. Millions of people around the world have benefited from various public health initiatives, such as vaccination programs, motor vehicle safety laws, restrictions on tobacco, family planning and clean air and water standards. Not everyone has benefited from the health improvements, however, and public health asks “why” in hopes of creating a world with more health equity.
Career examples
The liberal education framing of the Public Health major means you learn skills that transfer to a wide range of career options, from traditional public health paths to health professions, business, education or policy. Environmental Health graduates are working for federal agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration; county and state agencies, such as Public Health—Seattle & King County and Washington State Department of Health; and companies such as RGA Environmental, Amazon and Boeing. HIHIM graduates can choose from a variety of work settings across an array of healthcare environments. Depending on your interests and values, you may work in a small clinic, large hospital, public health agency, private insurance company, healthcare software company or a government agency.
Social change and human service! Helping people impacted by health disparities, social injustice, education inequities or poverty; engaging in community service with vulnerable or marginalized communities that might include: immigrants and refugees, children and youth, women, LGTBQ, homeless, low-income communities, individuals with mental or physical disabilities or veterans.
Did you know?
Social workers use a wide-range of skills in a variety of public and private sector positions to promote social justice and improve human welfare. Social Work is one of the fastest-growing careers in the country, offering challenging and rewarding opportunities in health care, mental health, research, education, government agencies and the nonprofit sector. Employment in some specialties will see over 20% job growth in the next five years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career examples
Mental health counselor; medical social worker; hospice social worker; aging specialist; school social worker; case manager; nonprofit program manager; prevention specialist; human rights activist; child welfare advocate; legislative aid; researcher; community organizer.
Speech Language Pathology & Audiologykeyboard_arrow_down
Communicating verbally and in writing, interacting with children and adults, problem solving, analyzing data, organizing and planning, teaching/instructing in a one-on-one setting, advocating for individuals with disorders and differences, collaborating with others.
Did you know?
More than 40 million children and adults in the U.S. experience communication disorders in the areas of speech, voice, language, swallowing, hearing and balance. Trained professionals work in clinic, hospital and school settings to diagnose and treat these impairments, and help improve patient quality of life. The career outlook is very strong and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment rates will increase 20-29% through 2024.
Career examples
Speech-language therapy assistant (SLPA); audiology assistant/technician; speech-language pathologist (SLP); audiologist; teacher of English as a second language (ESL); special education teacher; early childhood interventionist; clinical supervisor; rehabilitation counselor or manager; deaf educator; vocal coach; college professor; researcher.
You may enjoy being a veternarian if you love animals, working with them, and their well being. This profession may be a good fit if you like to diagnose, treat, and reserach medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals. Some important qualities for veterinarians include communication, decision making, manual detterity, and problem-solving skills.
Did you know?
Depending on the practice, a particular day for a veternarian may be entirely or partially blocked off for surgical procedures, such as spays and neuters. The rest of the time is spent seeing appointments.
Career examples
Companion animal veterinarians, food animal veterinarians, and food safety and inspection veterinarians. Veterinarians treat the injuries and illnesses of pets and other animals with a variety of medical equipment, including surgical tools and x-ray and ultrasound machines. They provide treatment for animals that is similar to the services a physician provides to treat humans.
Health Related Organizations and Opportunities
Health Related Organizations and Opportunities
Participation in organizations is not a requirement for health professional programs, however, getting involved can help you get connected, build skills and find opportunities.
Student-Led Organizations
ASUW Student Health Consortium (SHC)keyboard_arrow_down
The Student Health Consortium is a group of students who provide a meaningful resource to health-oriented student groups (RSOs) and to promote student health and wellness on campus through education and advocacy.
Healthcare Alternative Spring Break (HCASB)keyboard_arrow_down
Student-lead program that provides shadowing opportunities of healthcare professionals throughout rural Washington State. Trips run during the UW spring break week and scholarship applications are available. Apply on the HCASB website.
Joining an RSO is another way to enhance your pre-health experience on campus. Check out the list of health-related RSOs on the ASUW SHC website. RSOs include:
Doris Duke Conversation Scholars Programkeyboard_arrow_down
The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program (DDCSP) at the University of Washington is a multi-summer, undergraduate experiential-learning program focused on the themes of biodiversity, food, climate, and water across urban and wild spaces. Applicants do not necessarily need to be naural science-orientated.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Summer Undergraduate Research Programkeyboard_arrow_down
SURP is an intensive, nine-week internship designed to provide research experience and mentorship for undergraduate students who are interested in biomedical research. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, interns will complete an independent research project and present their findings at a competitive poster session. In addition to completing a mentored research project, interns will participate in professional development workshops designed to facilitate the preparation of competitive applications for graduate/medical school.
Neurological Surgery Summer Student Program at UW Medicinekeyboard_arrow_down
The UW Medicine Department of Neurological Surgery Summer Student Program provides “Bench to Bedside” exposure in the field of neurosciences. Every year the department invites a group of talented and highly motivated students interested in Neurosciences to participate in the 8-week Neurological Surgery Summer Student Program. This consists of a lab placement, attendance at Neurological Surgery Grand Rounds, OR observations, Friday talks by faculty, and a final student Power Point presentation and graduation in front of family, friends and mentors.
INSIGHT Summer Research Program at Harborview Medical Centerkeyboard_arrow_down
HIPRC’s INSIGHT Research Program is an eight-week summer internship for undergraduate and graduate students, and a four week program for high school students. INSIGHT provides research experience and mentorship for undergraduate, graduate and first year medical students who are interested in injury research. Participants are matched to research projects and partnered with University of Washington Medical School faculty and work alongside peers and health professionals from across the country.
Rural Immersion Institute of the North at the University of Alaska, Anchoragekeyboard_arrow_down
The Rural Immersion Institute of the North at the University of Alaska, Anchorage is a 3-week program that introduces healthcare students to the realities of providing care in rural Alaska. Students spend the beginning of the program in Anchorage, learning about Alaskan culture and meeting with healthcare professionals. The next 10 days are spent job-shadowing healthcare professionals in a rural community somewhere in the state. The program ends back in Anchorage, where students give a presentation outlining what they learned during the program
National Database of Summer Enrichment and Pipeline Programskeyboard_arrow_down
An amazing resource by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) for searching out a variety of Summer Enrichment and Pipeline programs throughout the country.
Summer Health Professional Education Programkeyboard_arrow_down
SHPEP is a free 6 week summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions. SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools.
SHPEP is implemented at 12 program sites across the nation. Each site provides scholars with academic enrichment in the basic sciences and math, clinical experiences, career development activities, learning and study skills seminars, and financial planning.
What kind of major would be best for me to pursue as a pre-health major?keyboard_arrow_down
Most health professional schools do not consider an applicant’s major in their admissions process. Non-science majors are just as successful as science majors in admissions as long as they have comparable science GPAs. However, majoring in a non-science just for the sake of “standing out" does not give a student an advantage because professional health schools are interested not in a student’s specific major, but in the overall rigor and quality of a student’s undergraduate work.
Applicants to health professional schools are not necessarily more competitive if they have multiple majors or degrees. Far more critical are the types of courses they have taken, the rigor of the courses, the number of credit hours per semester, and academic performance.
Students choose their course of study, and health professional schools do not factor in this choice when reviewing an applicant’s academic performance. A “hard” major does not excuse poor grades in the eyes of admissions officials.
Should I double-major or minor to be more competitive?keyboard_arrow_down
Double majoring can be beneficial if there is more than one subject area that a student is interested in, have room in their schedule, and will not hurt their GPA. We strongly encourage students to think about the opportunity cost of pursuing another major or minor. Meaning, what other opportunities is a student giving up if they decide to use their time to pursue another major and/or minor? This can mean less time to commit to clinical experiences, RSO involvement, and/or study abroad. Double majoring and/or minoring is not a requirement of any health program and will not make a student a more competitive applicant unless it is an intentional choice, compliments their interest, and does not impact their GPA and well-being.
What are pre-health enrichment and research programs offered to UW students?keyboard_arrow_down
Here is a list of some enrichment and research programs offered to UW students.
What are pre-health enrichment and research programs offered to under-represented students?keyboard_arrow_down
Health Sciences Center Minority Students Program (HSCMSP)- supports underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students interested in health science, biomedical, or behavioral graduate or professional opportunities at every stage of their university career.
Health Professions Academy (HPA)- a comprehensive professional development program for University of Washington undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are aspiring to become physicians and dentists.
UPREP- a collaborative project of the five CEDI registered student organizations and AFERM. UPREP offers monthly workshops to underrepresented minority undergraduates, community college students and other aspiring future applicants interested in pursuing a career in medicine
