A degree in health science opens many doors for both conventional and unusual jobs for health science graduates. You might use the laboratory skills and scientific knowledge you’ll gain in your studies to work in a laboratory, hospital or research capacity. You could also capitalize on the critical thinking and problem-solving skills you’ll develop to forge a unique path for yourself. As a health science graduate, you’ll be welcomed in any field you choose because employers value the in-depth training you receive during your education.
Information Technology
As American medical records become electronic, the health science field needs computer-savvy individuals. Someone needs to design user-friendly interfaces, reconcile differences between systems and keep medical records secure; with a health sciences degree, you could be that someone. With a background in health science, you’ll know what clinicians want in a medical records system, making you a more desirable candidate than someone with just an IT background. You could pursue a minor in information technology or use online resources to teach yourself — either way, you’ll have a financially and emotionally rewarding career.
Writing
You might not associate health science degrees with strong writing skills, but you’ll find yourself writing lab reports, literature reviews and research proposals throughout your education. You can combine your methodological skills with your writing abilities and find work as a science writer, health reporter or even food blogger. Beth from Budget Bytes writes full-time about the low-cost, high-flavor dishes she cooks up. Her readers appreciate the precise, step-by-step instructions and detailed notes she provides– skills she picked up while studying clinical microbiology as an undergraduate. Technical writing, business writing and copyediting all require high attention to detail and the ability to clearly communicate with a lay audience, making these writing-related fields good career options for health science undergraduates.
Law
Just like writing, the legal field can benefit from your clinical and scientific knowledge. With your bachelor’s or associate’s degree in health science, you can work for a law firm specializing in medical malpractice, biomedical patents or representing pharmaceutical companies. You can even go on to law school to open your own practice and command a high salary. No matter which path you pick, the unique combination of law experience and health science means you’ll be a hot commodity.
Manufacturing
Factory jobs aren’t just for blue collar workers without a college degree. With the amount of innovation happening in the manufacturing sector, factories are creating more high-paying jobs for college grads than ever before. Your health science background will let you work in any chemical-producing plant as a manager, quality assurance officer or safety official. You’ll be able to explain the need for protective equipment and ensure production standards are being met while using your laboratory skills on a daily basis.
The biggest benefit of a health science degree (please see: Top 20 Most Affordable Health Science Degrees) is the number of options it provides you. From conventional jobs in a hospital laboratory to unusual jobs for health science graduates like food blogging, healthcare law or medical IT work, there are no barriers to what you can achieve after graduation.