Electronic Health Reporter

By Jennifer Lockman, freelance journalist and blogger.

If you know a student who will soon be graduating with a degree in any kind of medical discipline, this article is for you. Young people thrive in environments where they feel supported and valued. The help you give can make the difference between making the right career choices and not. It’s a big responsibility and one that can help shape someone’s future career.

What kinds of help does a college grad or soon-to-be graduate need when transitioning into the job market? We have a few examples that you may or may not have already considered that we believe are among the most important at this pivotal time.

Deciding on a career path

Not all medical degree programs require transitioning into post-graduate work. Many colleges offer degrees and certificates in everything from laboratory technology to radiology to medical billing. The student’s career path will depend on the type of training he or she received in college and the types of jobs that one can realistically pursue based on his or her significant and existing practice.

Some medical careers require or encourage internship programs, and some of those programs are unpaid. You might be able to best help students in those situations by providing a place to stay, a hot meal, or a place to stay. Things as basic as that could actually make it possible to take an unpaid internship in the first place. Guidance and support are essential if your goal is to help a young person be successful.

Academic helps

Students who are in their final semesters of schooling are often overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility they shoulder day to day. Many already have outside jobs in or out of the medical industry and are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with studies. For those students, there are specific bits of help that can keep them on track to graduate on time.

For students trying to complete heavy course loads in preparation for graduation, there are support bases that can help, particularly with written assignments. Some internship programs require written essays as part of the acceptance process. Some employers also require them as part of application and hiring.

In all those instances, it is easy to get online help with essay writing. Many services can help with proofreading, editing, or even writing those essays and papers if needs be. Suggest (or also offer to help with the expense of) these services as a means of assisting the student in securing a job or internship assignment.

Finding the right job market

Some medical jobs are more plentiful and easy to land in some geographic regions more than others. Recent graduates, particularly those who are still single and don’t need to consider family issues, have plenty of flexibility when it comes to job location. Another way you can help is by assisting in researching different job markets so the student can find the right job with a good salary, even someplace unfamiliar or brand new.

Job placement

Once you and your student have decided on one or more areas to narrow the search, start researching the companies or practices that are hiring. Be sure to check that the student’s résumé or CV is up to date and ready.

Some useful insights on how to write a winning résumé can be found here. Major job boards like Indeed can also be a massive help in checking out the various opportunities and getting an idea of what the jobs pay. Pointing a recent grad in the direction of these resources is yet another way you can help with the transition.

Commitment and support

The most valuable things you can offer a young person trying to transition into a career in the medical industry are your commitment to and support of his or her success. Today’s college graduate appreciates knowing that someone is there to provide the kinds of bits of help and supports mentioned above. You could very well be helping someone make a permanent and lucrative transition into a great career with plenty of room for growth and advancement.