CHOOSING THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSION
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Becoming a health care professional is a laudable goal only if it is YOUR goal. It cannot be the dream of your parents, the death wish of a beloved aunt, or the fantasy you have had since childhood! The road ahead will be a challenging one and so you must be honest enough with yourself to know that this is the career for you. If you are truly committed, the bumps along the way will be less daunting and you find your journey filled with wonderful and exciting times!

Today there are more than two hundred distinct professions in health care. Yet, in spite of this, many people still think that the only road to becoming a health care professional is as an M.D. However, this is not the case! Many students have found that there are careers that are better suited for them in terms of intellectual satisfaction, quality of life while training, broader career opportunities, more time to enjoy outside activities, and the rewards of a full personal life.

Health care is one of the country's largest industries and it continues to grow rapidly. New professions are springing up, with many still in the process of defining themselves. With so many pathways to follow in the health care professions, it would be indeed naïve to think that making a choice should be easy, but the search is well worth the effort. With many fields to choose from, there is one to suit virtually every individual's abilities, interests, and personal characteristics. Each career is associated with its own unique set of responsibilities, demands, and rewards. Do not feel discouraged if you explore one area and find that it is not for you. All fields in health care are interconnected and interdependent; the more you know about each of the other professions, the more confident you will be that your final choice is the best one for you.

Be sure to know what to expect. Idealized expectations and lack of information can only lead to disappointment and frustration. While you cannot be 100% sure what a particular occupation will be like until you experience it, you should learn as much as possible. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you learn through practical experience: volunteer in a variety of health care settings, talk to professionals, get real hands-on experience, and read as much as possible. We can advise you, but in the last analysis, only you can decide. If in doubt, keep your options open!