There’s a health career out there for everyone – but which one is right for you and how do you narrow down the options?
Image: Andy Roberts
The health sector is Australia’s biggest employer, providing more than a million health and welfare jobs across the country. And the career options are vast, from nursing to midwifery, public health to sport and exercise science and everything in between.
As a result, there’s a health career out there for just about everyone – but which one is right for you? Given that many health careers require a university qualification, you could start by jumping online and researching health degrees to see what takes your interest (hint: the UTS Health website is a great place to start!). If something piques your interest, consider attending an information session or Open Day to find out more.
Or, go straight to the source! Here are some tips from UTS Health students and graduates to help you narrow down your options.
Take inspiration from your own life …
Knowing who you are and what you’re good at can provide some important clues into the sort of health pathway that might suit you, according to Bachelor of Midwifery student Sarah Rio.
Sarah, who previously worked in the complementary medicine sector, came to midwifery after a chance encounter with a student midwife. Immediately, she says, she could see that her personality would be the right fit for midwifery – and that midwifery would be the right fit for her.
“I attended an antenatal appointment with my sister and was instantly drawn to the aura of the student midwife in the room. My first thought was, ‘I can do that. People tell me I make them feel calm all the time’,” she says.
… but don’t let your passions limit you
However, sometimes the right career path isn’t the most obvious one. Health Science student Emma Campbell loved science and maths, so she enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics as soon as she finished Year 12. But the course didn’t inspire her – and neither did the job opportunities she’d eventually be qualified for.
Instead, she started researching alternative degrees and stumbled across the Bachelor of Health Science (now Bachelor of Public Health). It drew together everything she was interested in, but with a focus she hadn’t previously considered.
“I wanted a degree that hybridised maths and science while still leaving my career options open. I found that in the study of epidemiology in the Bachelor of Health Science – to me, it’s the perfect hybrid of maths and biology,” Emma says.
“I love looking at diseases on a small scale and then as larger patterns to develop ideas on how to generate change based on these findings.”
Keep your eyes on the prize
The health professions tend to attract a special type of person – someone who’s empathetic, caring and committed to making a difference. If this sounds like you, it’s worth thinking about what you’re hoping to achieve and choosing the discipline that will best support your goals.
Bachelor of Nursing student David Ada has grand plans for his future career. Born in Australia and raised in both Jakarta and Sydney, he’s no stranger to the lack of access to health care that’s common in the developing world. Getting a nursing degree will unlock a wealth of opportunities to deliver health care to underserved communities.
“In Indonesia, there’s a major health disparity that convinced me to want to gain medical skills in hope to aid those who are in need,” he says.
“I plan to be a registered nurse at the end of this degree and potentially consider further education to be a nurse specialist so that I’m well equipped to return to Indonesia and participate in some humanitarian activities.”
Use your undergrad degree as a springboard
An undergraduate degree is often enough to kickstart your career, but you can also use it as a launching pad towards postgraduate study. You might need a postgraduate coursework degree to work in a particular profession, or you might realise that research is where your heart lies – just ask Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Hons) graduate Tijana Sharp.
Tijana had originally planned to pursue the Master of Physiotherapy (a coursework degree) at UTS but fell in love with research during her honours year. She quickly discovered that an academic pathway offers extensive intellectual and professional freedom; today, she’s in the first year of a PhD. Alongside her research, Tijana teaches into the UTS Sport and Exercise program, and she also works part-time in a sports clinic.
“The main reason I wanted to pursue a PhD is that it lets me do all the things I was interested in,” she says.
“It was awesome that I could continue teaching and working in the clinic and still have enough time for myself as well.”
Do what you love
As the saying goes, do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life – and that’s extra true when it comes to a health care career. From caring for patients to preparing for the next global pandemic, it’s easy to find your passion in the wide world of health.