A woman sitting at a table in front of books.

Student Resources


Health is impacted by factors outside of health care or public health systems. You can improve your health through public health, clinical practice, research, administration, and many other ways.

As you gain experience and academic qualifications, use these 15 competencies to develop yourself for a wide range of careers that improve health.

Where do I start?

High School Students
Think as broadly as possible. For example, consider the University of Washington's UDOC 6-week program for high school students interested in exploring careers in public health, dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and research.  Review an interactive program map through the Area Health Education Center (AHEC). And read medical schools’ fact sheet for high school students.

College Students
Continue exploring broadly. Please review this interactive program map to find opportunities/programs that support your career goals. For example, the University of Washington has the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) for students to explore public health, dentistry, and medicine. Note that you must be a high school graduate, college freshman, or sophomore to apply.

Public Health Careers

Public health is what we, as a society, do collectively to assure conditions for people to be healthy.” -Abdul El-Sayed, MD, DPhil, America Dissected podcast

The American Public Health Association can help you understand "What is public health?”. To start learning basic topics and careers in public health, see this CDC website. And if you need a job, you can work part-time or full-time for Public Health AmeriCorps!

Clinical Careers

When you apply to a health professional school, you’ll be asked “Why this profession?” You need to clearly understand alternative careers first. Start here and explore careers in more detail below. 

Audiology:
Become an Audiologist - American Academy of Audiology

Chiropractic:
About Chiropractic - ACA Hands Down Better

Dentistry:
Why should you pursue dentistry?

Dietitian
Nutrition is bigger than you thought!

Homeopathy
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/homeopathy

Naturopathic Medicine
Is Naturopathic Medicine a Good Fit for Me? | AANMC

Nursing:
Washington Center for Nursing provides this information to support you through a competitive process. Nursing is a prerequisite for a wife variety of advanced degrees, for example in midwifery, Psychiatric Nursing Practice, Family Nursing Practice and the Doctorate in Nurse Practice.

Medical Genetics:
“Medical geneticists work at the intersection of research and clinical care.”

Midwifery:
The history of midwifery in the United States is intimately linked to racial inequities.
Nurses can become a midwife after the BSN. If you have a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree
you can also become a Certified Midwife through these accredited programs.

Mental Health:
Types of Mental Health Professionals
Licensed Clinical Social Workers are the largest group of mental health providers in the US
Psychiatric Nurse Practice
Clinical or Counseling Psychology

Medicine:
Deciding if medicine is right for you
Getting experience to prepare for medical school
The eShadowing library contains a vast range of medical specialties

Optometry:
Choosing a career in Optometry

Pharmacy:
Top Ten Reasons to Become a Pharmacist
Why Pharmacy Is for You

Physician Assistant:
9 Reasons to Become a PA
The eShadowing library contains pre-PA videos

Podiatry:
Becoming a Podiatric Physician

Rehabilitation careers:
Orthotics and Prosthetics, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.

Speech Language Pathologist:
About Speech-Language Pathology Careers (asha.org)