The healthcare industry encompasses a wide range of professions dedicated to the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of individual and community health. If you are considering a career in this field, you are embarking on a journey that combines science, technology, and human connection to make a profound impact on people's wellbeing.
Healthcare is the largest industry in the United States, with census data showing that more than 1 in 8 Americans are employed in healthcare occupations. It is also one of the fastest growing industries, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting an increase of about 2 million new jobs in this sector from 2021 to 2031. The industry includes medical, nursing, and allied health professionals who diagnose and treat patients, and support staff who schedule appointments, organize medical records, and coordinate wellness activities. Employees can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, state or local government, insurance agencies, retail pharmacies, schools, private practice, or home health.
In the healthcare field, multiple majors, and educational routes lead to different career paths. While certain careers, like nursing, demand specific degrees, others, such as healthcare administration, offer flexibility and can be pursued through various avenues.
The Center for Advising Resources and Support (CARS) offers support and services to students pursuing admission to professional programs in the health or law. Learn more about various pre-health pathways and receive guidance on pre-professional preparation.
ExploreHealthCareers.org is a collaboration between today’s health professionals and leading health care associations designed to help you start down the road toward a career in health.
Learn more about what healthcare occupations entail, the education and skill requirements, job and salary outlook, and more through this resource put together by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Community health centers are nonprofit providers dedicated to providing cost effective healthcare in areas of high need. Explore opportunities across the state in areas including medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, and patient access.
If you are applying for positions working directly with patients, it’s important to highlight your clinical experience. This can include shadowing, healthcare employment, and volunteer experience. Nursing and professional school students should also include clinical rotation or fieldwork experience when applying for their first jobs after graduation.
Big Interview offers student the opportunity to run through a set of prerecorded interview questions to prepare for upcoming interviews. The system also for a student to record and review their responses and offers general feedback as well.
Visit CU Involved to learn more about these student organizations.