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Preparing for a Career in Health Professions

• Choosing a Health Career
• Choosing a Major

Choosing a Health Career

• Deciding Which Career Is Best For You
• Self-Assessment
• Exploring Alternatives
• Deciding And Developing A Plan
• UF Health Professions Programs
• Other National Organizations
• National Associations of Health Profession Programs

As someone considering a career in the health professions, it is important that you explore all the career alternatives available to you. Below is a short description of the health professions students typically pursue after completing a baccalaureate degree. In addition to these, there are a number of health professions offered at the baccalaureate level. The baccalaureate level health professions offer career satisfactions similar to the post-baccalaureate professions, such as helping people and job security. There are also several health professions, such as occupational therapy and physician's assistant, that are offered at both undergraduate and professional levels. If you are interested in a baccalaureate health profession, you should contact the schools that offer those programs.

• Allopathic Medicine
  A physician trained in allopathic medicine is what most people think of when they imagine a 'doctor'. Generally, an allopathic physician's responsibilities include diagnosing disease, supervising the care of patients, and prescribing treatment. Students completing a four-year allopathic medical program earn the degree of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) . M.D.'s pursue graduate medical education (internship and residency) after completing the M.D.. This residency time may take from three to nine additional years.
• Osteopathic Medicine
  A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) diagnoses disease, supervises the care of patients, and prescribes treatment. Osteopathic medicine has much in common with allopathic medicine; however, osteopathic physicians have a somewhat different philosophy, sometimes described as total body medicine, and the use of an additional treatment - manipulative therapy - in conjunction with traditional allopathic therapies, such as medication. The D.O. degree involves four years of study, followed by a one-year internship. The internship is followed by two to six years of residency training if a specialty is desired. The majority of D.O.s practice in a primary-care setting, particularly general family practice.
• Chiropractic Medicine
  A Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) is a primary health care provider who gives particular attention to the relationship of the structural and neurological aspects of the body in health and disease. Chiropractic treatment includes spinal adjusting, manipulation, physical modalities, and rehabilitation. It is not unusual for students to enter a chiropractic program after 60 credit hours of preprofessional education, though schools of chiropractic have been increasingly accepting more applicants with bachelor's degrees.
• Dentistry
  Dentistry is devoted to maintaining the health of the teeth, gums, and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. Most dentists engage in general practice, bringing skills in oral diagnosis, prevention, and rehabilitation directly to the patient. Students completing a dental program earn one of two equivalent degrees: Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) . The majority of dentists begin practice immediately after the four-year dental program, although many pursue one year or more of post-graduate study.
• Occupational Therapy
  Occupational therapists enable patients to regain or maximize the ability to perform daily life tasks after recovering from a traumatic injury. Occupational therapists usually have a strong educational background in the social and behavioral sciences. This provides the skills and knowledge for them to help patients physically, emotionally and psychologically deal with injury and recovery. An Occupational Therapist (O.T.) usually completes a two-year program to earn either a M.O.T. or other health science masters degree. Some schools offer the occupational therapy program as a bachelor's degree. There are many areas of specialization for occupational therapists to choose from and a wide variety of clinical settings to practice.
• Optometry
  Optometrists are primary healthcare providers who diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. A Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) completes a four-year program, and the majority enter general practice upon earning the O.D.
• Pharmacy
  Pharmacists are an integral part of the primary healthcare system. They educate patients about different medications and serve to ensure safe adminstration of drugs. Pharmacists also serve to advise other healthcare providers about drug treatment plans. A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) completes a four-year program. A majority of graduates work in community pharmacy or in large retail pharmacy. However, there are many specialized fields for which pharmacists may choose as well as clinical research.
• Physical Therapy
  Physical therapists work with patients to regain or maximize movement in major extremities or regions of the body relating to the major extremities. They are an integral part of the healthcare system and many physical therapists work alongside hospitals and in independent physical rehabilitation centers. There are two degrees offered for those interested in physical therapy. A Master of Physical Therapy (M.P.T.) usually completes a two year program, whereas a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) usually completes a three year program. There are many areas of specilization for physcial therapists to choose from and a wide variety of clinical settings to practice.
• Physician Assistant
  Physician assistants are part of the healthcare team that provides basic medical care under the supervision of a physician. They take medical histories, perform examinations, treat patients, see to minor injuries, prescribe medication, order lab work ups and interpret results. Physician assistants provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative health services. A Physician Assistant (P.A.) usually completes a 18-month to 24-month program. Graduates usually earn a master's degree in a medical related or biomedical related science. Some schools offer the physician program as a bachelor's degree. Some physician assistants work in hospitals or a group practice with physicians. In some rural or medically underserved areas, physician assistants serve as the primary healthcare provider in the community.
• Podiatry
  Podiatrists are concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the human foot and other parts of the lower extremeity below the knee. Podiatrists use a variety of medical, surgical, and manipulative techniques to treat the foot. A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M) completes a four-year medical education, and in most states a two-year or three-year surgical residency. Podiatrists may subsequently specialize in podiatric surgery, orthopedics, podiatric sports medicine or other areas.
• Veterinary Medicine
  Veterinarians are trained to diagnose, treat and help prevent disease and disabilities in animals. Veterinarians serve the needs of the public by practicing preventive medicine in relation to both human and animal health, the solution of agricultural and wildlife problems, and humane care of companion animals. A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M) completes a four-year medical education. Most veterinarians enter practice upon completion of the D.V.M., although many pursue post-graduate training or specialization.

Deciding which career is best for you.  

Ask yourself why you want to pursue the health profession you are considering. Try to answer this question with a number of concrete reasons. Remember: this is a question you will be asked by admissions committees of the health profession programs to which you apply. So, give it some thought. If you have trouble coming up with concrete reasons why this health profession will suit you, try to complete this sentence: "I want to be an optometrist (doctor, veterinarian, etc.) because..." The answer"...because I've always wanted to" does NOT answer why you have wanted to. The answer "...because I want to help people" DOES answer why, but only in a very general way. If you want to help people, why the specific health profession you have chosen? You can help people by being a fireman, a teacher, or a paramedic. Why not pursue a career in one of those areas? Why not another post-baccalaureate health profession (dentistry or podiatry or chiropractic)?

Answering these questions thoroughly will probably take some time. As you prepare for the health profession, you should be evaluating these questions. Ideally, your choice of a health profession should be the result thoughtful and thorough career decision-making. Such career decision-making includes:

• Self-Assessment
  Understanding what you like, what you are good at, and what you want from your career. You need to answer questions such as: "How many hours a week do I want to work?" and "How much pressure do I want in my career?"
• Exploring Alternatives
  Looking at all the careers that match your career goals as determined by your self-assessment. You will probably come up with careers that you have never thought about. Research and consider them all. Don't assume you know about a specific career. Unless you have actually worked in that career, you probably have assumptions about it that may or may not be true. Find out the REALITY of each career. You can do so by reading about it, talking to people who do it, and by observing people doing it. You can also research health-related careers on the internet.  Try out the following links for information on job descriptions, education requirements, salaries, and more: Careers in Allied Health Professions Guides for Specific Health Careers
• Deciding and Developing a Plan
  After you have researched career alternatives, rank the three which seem to come closest to fulfilling your needs. Develop Plan A, a plan for preparing for your best career match. Also develop Plan B , a plan for attaining a satisfactory alternative. Plan B is important because you may find that you change your mind about pursuing Plan A, or that you are unsuccessful in pursuing it.

This may sound like a long process requiring effort on your part. Remember: this is your life and happiness that you are making decisions about. In the long run you will probably be glad you made the effort. In addition, if you end up pursuing a health profession as a result of thorough decision-making, your commitment and motivation will likely be much stronger. You will find that you are more effective in writing statements for your professional school applications and answering questions about your dedication to the profession in interviews.

If you are unsure how to approach career decision-making, there is assistance available. The Career Resource Center (Reitz Union, 392-1601) offers workshops on career decision-making that can help get you started. In addition, the CRC offers individual career counseling and a career library. All students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this resource! 

UF Health Professions Programs

Choosing a Major

There are no majors such as "premed", "prevet", or "predent" at the University of Florida. Professional schools define their requirements as a group of courses rather than a major. All majors in the liberal arts and sciences areas are acceptable to professional schools, and admission rates do not differ significantly by major.

For all health professions, students majoring in professional programs such as business, engineering, or education may have less of an opportunity to gain a well-rounded education and may have difficulty in fulfilling preprofessional requirements while taking required courses for their majors. If you are interested in such a major, you should discuss your schedule with an academic advisor in the major department. Majors in baccalaureate health professions such as nursing or physical therapy is not recommended for students who intend to apply to different post-baccalaureate health profession programs. Many preprofessional students major in chemistry, microbiology, or zoology as a matter of convenience because those departments' major requirements often coincide with much of the preprofessional course requirements. However, for most health professions there is no specific need to major in a science. It is important to realize that most students will do best in a major that they enjoy.

Also, your major should be something that prepares you for an alternative career in case you change your mind or are not accepted to a health profession program. In addition, professional schools will often discuss choice of major in an interview as one way of learning more about the applicant. Students capable of superior work both in the sciences and the non-sciences will have the best chance at admission to all professional schools, regardless of major.Your choice of major should be decided by: (a) your abilities (b) your interests (c) the career alternatives available to you with the educational background provided by the major. The Counseling Center in 301 Peabody Hall or the Career Resource Center in the Reitz Union can provide assistance with career testing or major counseling.  Check out the CRC's website on Choosing and Using Your Major or try their Majors Card Sort exercise.
You may also want to view the Academic Advising Center's Where to Begin Choosing A Major web page.

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