Your teenager has expressed the desire to become a doctor, a nurse, or a healthcare researcher (to name a few of the career paths available). You are proud of their choice and want to support their drive, but how?
In this piece, we’ll have a look at whether a career in healthcare is worth it or not and the steps to take to ensure your budding healthcare worker has everything they need to succeed.
Why a Career in Healthcare?
Most teens feel inspired to work in healthcare by a family member, a close relative, or someone they admire (a teacher or personality, for instance). The media they consume (TV shows, social media content, and so on) also influences them.
Still, the main driver remains curiosity and the desire to learn more about the human body and mind. Plus, a healthcare career can be extremely satisfying – it pays well, and you get to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
Lastly, the healthcare industry is known for its job security. Whether you’re a doctor, a nurse, or a medical scientist, you will always be able to find a job wherever you go (in the country or the world).
How to Support Your Teen’s Choice
Now that you know the general field they’re interested in, how can you help your teen choose the right career path?
It usually depends on what they want to do. Healthcare is a wide field that encompasses a wide range of activities, from medical research to heart surgery.
So, first, sit down with your child and have a heart-to-heart to figure out their specific interests.
Do they want to play a part in the fight against cancer or its prevention? Do they enjoy the idea of working with advanced equipment and interacting with patients? If so, they may like a career in medical imaging and radiation therapy.
They would need an ARRT certification to start, but they can get additional certifications to advance their careers. For instance, a Mammography Technologist program takes 6 months to complete and can boost anyone’s resume.
If your teen is mostly interested in research, then consider guiding their path toward careers in microbiology, pharmaceuticals, or epidemiology. Most professionals working in these fields make a good living and have very stable jobs with lots of prospects for the future.
Once you find a career path that suits your teen’s dreams and aspirations, it’s time to research the skills they’ll need. Besides specific skills, most healthcare workers need to be quick problem-solvers, empathetic, critical thinkers, and good communicators (among others).
Identify the skills they need to work on and chart an educational path for them to improve. This can be through self-study, electives at school, university options, or online courses. Nowadays, we have open access to educational resources, so it’s a matter of identifying the right ones for your kid’s needs.
Wrap Up
The best way to support your teen’s career exploration in healthcare is to give them options that fit their plans for the future. However, it’s paramount to make sure they understand the level of work and dedication needed for a career in healthcare – it takes someone truly passionate about deciphering the mysteries of the human body to succeed.
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Image credit: Freepik
