Electronic Health Reporter

You’re in your junior year of high school and want to choose a career path that can make a difference in another person’s life. The good news is there are many.

Physician

Becoming a doctor whether in private practice or on staff at a hospital is a very rewarding career. You are the person responsible for diagnosis and offering treatment options. If you want to help people through early detection and develop relationships with your patients, becoming a doctor will fulfill your life. You will need undergraduate school and have to take the MCAT test as a requirement for entering medical school. There are companies that offer a free MCAT practice test to help you learn areas of weakness ahead of the actual test. 

Nursing

Nurses are in high demand. In the traditional sense, they administer medications and therapies, monitor vitals, and keep patients comfortable. However, nurses do much more. They work together with doctors providing important information with regard to the health and well-being of their patients. Nurses work in doctor’s offices, nursing homes, and hospitals. Some also work independently and administer care to patients in their homes. Depending on the level of nursing, it can take anywhere from 2 to 4 years of schooling.

Social Worker

A social worker is an advocate for adults, children and the elderly. They possess skills such as empathy, critical thinking and tolerance. Social workers deal with a variety of situations from homes with drug and alcohol abuse to the neglect of the elderly. With their skills and years of hands-on training, they can have a huge impact on the lives of others. Becoming a social worker requires 4 to 5 years of schooling to receive a bachelor’s and master’s degree and then several years of training under supervision. 

Dentist/Orthodontist

People love to laugh and smile. However, not everyone has healthy or straight teeth. A dentist can perform procedures like teeth cleanings, removing wisdom teeth and the removal of cavities. An orthodontist performs restorative treatments that include an over- or an underbite, and corrects a crowded mouth or a mouth with crooked or missing teeth. Both professions are gratifying in giving someone the ability to show off their smile or eat foods with confidence. On average it takes 8 years to become a dentist and 11 years to become an orthodontist. 

Therapist

A therapist speaks to people one-on-one or in group sessions. They are good listeners and offer advice on how to best handle situations that come along in life. Therapists help people overcome bad habits such as drug abuse and alcoholism. They also help people experiencing difficulty in their marriage and those with a mental illness. It’s a profession that can turn someone’s life around for good. Depending on the level of therapy you want to offer, it can take from 3 to 7 years to become a therapist. 

Physical Therapist

A physical therapist helps people with mobility issues sustained from an illness, accident, injury, or progressive disease. They are truly a strong force that helps people overcome. They provide treatment options to benefit their patients to achieve a better quality of life. They also assist with pain management by improving flexibility and the prevention of a disease or illness from taking away a person’s ability to get around on their own. It takes on average three to four years to become a physical therapist, however, doctorate programs can take even longer. 

Chiropractor

Chronic pain will reduce your quality of life. If you want a career that helps alleviate pain, being a chiropractor may satisfy your inner desires. A chiropractor helps people of all ages reduce pain in locations on the body such as the back and the neck. To achieve the state license it takes roughly 7 years to become a chiropractor. 

Respiratory Therapist

What does a respiratory therapist do? Respiratory therapists help people of all ages who have trouble breathing. This could be due to an illness or a chronic disease like asthma or emphysema. They work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, and nursing homes. While you can get an entry-level job with just an associate’s degree, most employers require a bachelor’s degree, which also sets you up for a higher salary.

There are many rewarding careers that help people improve their lives. If you have your heart set on a lifetime of helping others, look into each option, maybe ask to shadow someone you know that does these jobs or a day or two. This will help you make the right decision for you future.