Ways to Explore Health Careers

Hampshire students and alums pursue a wide variety of health-related fields. How can you learn more about a type of work that is of interest to you? Following are some ideas to help you get started.

Informational interviews: 

This is one of the best ways to get good information and start building your connections to others in that type of work. It simply involves talking with people who have knowledge about the work that interests you. In a brief appointment, which usually lasts 15-30 minutes (less if by phone), you ask questions to learn more about the day-to-day life, pros and cons of the work, sources of satisfaction, training required, future outlook, how to get started, or whatever else is on your mind. Please see the SPARC Networking Guide for more information on finding the people to talk to, crafting your email, or contact SPARC to request a meeting to work on this with a counselor.

Shadowing:

Observing someone who is doing work of interest to you is also extremely helpful. Some professionals will consider letting you observe while they see patients (with permission of each patient) or otherwise engage in their work. Shadowing opportunities are generally fairly easy to set up and flexible in terms of time frame and hours. Talk with family, friends, neighbors, alums, and others about your desire to observe professionals. 

Volunteer work: 

There may be ways that you can assist people working in what you think would be fun and interesting. Ask if you can assist in their offices, help set up for workshops, etc. 

Summer internships and jobs:

It’s difficult to find paid clinical experience without having the professional experience and credentials. Some possibilities include working as an EMT or a CAN (Certified Nurse Assistant), summer camp jobs with chronically ill or disabled children or adults. 

Health-Related jobs:

We know people who took work, for example, at a chiropractor’s office or an acupuncture practice. They learned a lot about the day-to-day running of a practice as well as more about the science and medicine of chiropractic/acupuncture care, and, ultimately, were more passionate and knowledgeable when they went on to a school and then on to their own practices.

Schools and training programs:

Many schools and training programs run webinars, and will let you come and talk with current students, faculty, and admissions representatives. Sometimes, if you ask, they will let you know if there are any alumni in your area of the country to whom you could talk.  

Also see our Gaining Health-Related Experience page.